SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MACAU – Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios say they are ready for their career-defining fight at the Venetian hotel in Macau, Sunday, November 24.
Natashya Gutierrez reports.
A city of bright lights, Asia’s Las Vegas.
Boxing fans and media and two hungry fighters desperate to win.
This sets the stage for Clash in Cotai — one of the biggest boxing fights of the year.
Its do or die for 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.
or superstardom for 27-year-old Brandon Rios.
It’ll come down to who’s the better fighter.
At the pre-fight conference Wednesday both boxers promise fireworks.
The young Mexican-American says his time has come.
BRANDON RIOS, AMERICAN BOXER: Everybody that thinks I’m just a tune-up fight, I’m nobody’s tune-up fight, I’m nobody’s sparring partner, I’m nobody’s punching bag. Because the last time I believed, a punching bag don’t punch bag. I’m nobody’s punching bag. And on Sunday you guys will find out, a new star is on the rise.
Pacquiao knows Rios wants a win as badly as he needs one.
MANNY PACQUIAO, FILIPINO BOXER: Rios is saying he’s hungry to win this fight. I’m also hungry to win this fight because I lost twice last year.
Beyond his personal survival he knows nothing will lift his countrymen’s spirits…
more than a resounding Pacman victory.
PACQUIAO: Anyway I’m doing my best to give a good fight and to win the fight especially with what happened in the Philippines. To all the people and the families affected by the typhoon, this fight is for you.
On Thursday, both boxers go into the tail-end of their training.
Rios’ camp is calm and steady with trainers and advisers discussing final strategies.
Rios’ trainer, Robert Garcia, claims this is the end of Pacquiao’s career.
ROBERT GARCIA, RIOS’ TRAINER: The power is there, the speed is there, the reflex is there which is more important we’re gonna need to have very good reflex for the fight. I think everything is there now, we’re right on time.
The day before, a scuffle broke out between the two camps over gym time.
Rios and his team leave the gym well before their time runs out to avoid another run-in with Pacquiao’s camp.
Manny walks into the gym relaxed despite the immense responsibility on his shoulders.
His training is lighter and shorter.
The team fine-tunes its game plan a well-guarded strategy against a heavy puncher and a younger fighter.
Roach is visibly happy.
FREDDIE ROACH, PACQUIAO’S TRAINER: Manny is in the best shape of his life. I expect him to have the performance of his lifetime. I’ve never seen him look better. It’s just as well. A loss for Pacquiao could mean retirement.
Rios’ camp says it has nothing to lose and everything to gain– that the pressure is all on Pacquiao.
NATASHYA GUTIERREZ, REPORTING: Analysts agree Pacquiao needs not just to win, but win convincingly to regain his status among the sport’s elite. His fate will be determined in just 3 days.
Natashya Gutierrez, Rappler, Macau.
– Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.