Pacquiao: Beating Mayweather is good for boxing

MANILA, Philippines – After receiving numerous verbal jabs from Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the past, Manny Pacquiao took a swipe at the unbeaten American boxer hours before their mega fight’s promotional press conference on Thursday, March 12 (PH Time) at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Using his official Twitter account, the 36-year-old Pacquiao stressed that handing Mayweather his first-ever career defeat would be beneficial to the sport of boxing, impliedly citing his rival’s brash attitude and flamboyant lifestyle outside the ring.

Beating Floyd is good for boxing. When athletes have great success, their success goes to their head. That is bad for boxing.

— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) March 11, 2015

Even though odds are in favor of Mayweather in the much-awaited bout against Pacquiao on May 2 (May 3 in PH), the Filipino southpaw remains optimistic that he could pull off the improbable upset when he collides with the reigning pound-for-pound king at the 16,800-seater MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I’m here to prove that I can easily beat the undefeated. #MayweatherPacquiao

— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) March 11, 2015

Furthermore, Pacquiao pointed out that he is not bothered about Mayweather’s style of fighting, asserting that his speed and power would play a pivotal role.

My footwork and hand combinations will be my advantage. I tell you Cotto and Margarito punch hard. This is boxing and its about punches.

— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) March 11, 2015

WATCH: Pacquiao fires off furious punch combinations

Pacquiao’s busy pace was one of the key factors of his success in boxing, capturing 12 world titles in eight different weight classes.

On the opposite end, Mayweather is known for dictating the match’s tempo with his distinctive and effective brand of defensive guile all throughout his career, utilizing his shoulder roll, high-guard and elbow block to get rid of the shots from his foes.

In addition, he is also recognized as a minimal-but-accurate hitter, clobbering his counterparts with a drop jab, leaning right hand and inside slap hook.

Pacquiao disclosed that he is more confident coming into his heavily-hyped showdown with Mayweather than when he faced Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008 and Miguel Cotto in November 2009.

I’m more worried about De La Hoya and Cotto than my fight with Floyd. #MayweatherPacquiao

— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) March 11, 2015

Pacquiao forced De La Hoya to hang up his gloves for good after an eight-round stoppage, while he routed Cotto via twelfth-round technical knockout. – Rappler.com