LAS VEGAS – A few minutes after taking a wealth of questions about his ability to return from a four-year ring absence and win the WBC welterweight belt at 46 years old, Manny Pacquiao retreated to the quiet of his “Skyloft” overlooking Las Vegas, sat down at his luxury room piano and played, singing The Beatles’ “Let It Be.”
There will be an answer … Let it Be.
Pacquiao, as he prepares to meet a champion in Texas’ Mario Barrios Jnr, who is 16 years younger, assured during the news conference that he’s confident through his demanding conditioning routine in Los Angeles that the bout will offer “a lot of action.
“For 24 years here [at MGM Grand], I can’t imagine that I’m still fighting here, still kicking,” Pacquiao said. “Our job is to give excitement and enjoyment to the fans. I know we can create that.
“The fire in my heart is still there – to work hard, to fight better. My body is ready for it.”
Later, in his room, Pacquiao, 62-8-2 (39 KOs), elaborated to PPV.COM and BoxingScene about the fight and his plans.
He spoke of the transformation that takes hold of him as the first bell rings, converting him from a humble, mild-mannered person into one of the fiercest fighters the sport has ever produced.
“It’s different … being a nice person and changing into who I need to be in the ring. The fight’s going on. I have to take care of myself,” he said with a grin.
In an earlier private conversation with PPV.COM, Pacquiao admitted to his former opponent and ProBox TV analyst Chris Algieri that he knew that his signature 2009 second-round knockout of Ricky Hatton was coming.
So has that same type of vision arrived with Barrios, a forward fighter whose defensive lapses have got him marked up in his past two fights?
Pacquiao hinted that he’ll be seeking to land thunderous blows on Barrios, 29-2-1 (18 KOs).
“We focus on footwork, strategy, combinations to get the most power from the punches,” he said.
Considering Pacquiao has defeated some of the most astute fighters in the sport, including Algieri and Keith Thurman, he was asked if he believes he can outsmart any man in the ring.
“When you have footwork, you can outsmart all opponents,” Pacquiao said. “Footwork is the key. Whatever your plan is, you can execute properly with footwork.”
Victory could move Pacquiao toward a lucrative rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jnr, now 48, who defeated sore-shouldered Pacquiao by unanimous decision in the richest prizefight in history in 2015.
“Right now, my focus is on Saturday. If they’re interested, let’s talk about it after the fight,” Pacquiao said.
He admitted there’s a yearning to revisit that defeat and deal the 50-0 Mayweather his first loss.
“Of course [I can win], I don’t have my injury anymore,” Pacquiao said.
First, there’s the matter of Saturday night and the dream of standing victorious in the middle of the MGM Grand ring, where he’ll fight for the 16th time Saturday in a pay-per-view main event (PPV.COM/Prime Video).
“It would mean a lot, being a champion at 46 years old. I would not be here if God did not hear my prayers. He gives me strength, good health. I always give glory to God. Me alone? I’m nothing. With God, I’m something,” Pacquiao said.
