Pacquiao: ‘I will fight for the Filipinos’

MANILA, Philippines – As he walks into a historical bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and attempts to cement his legacy as the greatest boxer of his generation, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao will have only one thing on his mind: “Lalaban ako para sa Pilipino.” (I will fight for the Filipinos.) 

Pacquiao said in an interview with GMA on Saturday, February 21 that this will be the theme of his upcoming mega-fight with fellow welterweight Mayweather on May 2.

“Yung laban na ito, ang title nito para sa akin dito sa Pilipinas ay ‘Lalaban ako para sa Pilipino’,” said an exhausted-looking Pacquiao, who reportedly already underwent light training early this morning in his hometown of General Santos City. 

(This fight, the title of this for me here in the Philippines is ‘I will fight for the Filipinos.’)

Pacquiao said this this will also be the title of a song he will release, which will be Filipino’s official theme song for the bout. 

The highly-anticipated fight was announced early morning on Saturday (Friday, February 20 in the US) by Mayweather via the photo-sharing app Shots.

The 36-year old Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) officially started his training as soon as the fight was announced and will soon fly to the US “soon.” 

(RELATED: Pacquiao, Mayweather finally give fans what they want)

Also the Congressman of Sarangani and a playing coach for professional basketball team KIA Carnival, Pacquiao expressed confidence that he knows exactly what to do to get ready for Mayweather, who is still undefeated professionally with 47 wins and 26 knockouts. 

“Alam na alam ko na yung gagawin ko sa training para sa style na,” said Pacquiao, who appeared edgy on camera, following a day of jogging, training in the gym, and playing basketball. 

“I think hindi ako mahihirapan especially yung preparation ko nung last fight ay similar dun sa gagawin ko for this fight.” 

(I know very well what to do in training to prepare for his style. I don’t think I will have a hard time especially because my preparation for my last fight will be similar to what I will do for this fight.) 

(RELATED: The game plan to beat Mayweather has changed, says Roach)

He also assured the fight will be anything but boring despite the age of the two fighters with Mayweather turning 38 on Tuesday, February 24. 

“Hindi naman siguro dahil patutunayan rin niya, hangad din niya na manalo. I believe na magandang laban ito.” 

(I don’t think it will be boring because he wants to prove himself too, he also wants to win. I believe this will be a good fight.) 

The bout that fans long clamored for will happen at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where hotel rooms are reported to already be soldout. 

Pacquiao has this message to Filipinos: 

“Ang mensahe ko po sa buong sambayanang Pilipino ay maraming maraming salamat sa ating mahal na Panginoon at isa tayo sa ginawa niyang instrument na makilala ang Pilipinas at makilala tayong lahat na Pilipino at siyempre [salamat] sa suporta rin ng mga kababayan natin, sa pagdarasal nila.”

(My message to the Filipino people is thank you to our Lord for allowing me to become an instrument to help bring honor to the Philippines and all of us Filipinos and of course thank you to the support or our fellow Filipinos and their prayers.) – Rappler.com