On Wednesday, the 5' 6.5" former flyweight, who wields power in boxing and politics, announced his intention of giving poverty a black eye. "All of my life, I’ve had to fight," said Pacquiao. "As a child I had to fight to eat," Pacquiao said.
"Now when I fight, the Filipinos call me a hero. I think the world needs more heroes." Video: Final pre-fight press conference
The World Bank estimates that 45 percent of the population live on less than $2 per day. Sarangani, where Pacquiao serves as congressman, is considered one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines.
"My biggest fight is not in boxing. My biggest fight is to end poverty in my country, Pacquiao added. "I will be wearing yellow gloves into the ring on Saturday – as a symbol of unity in the fight against poverty."
"In Manila, Manny would wake up at 5:30 in the morning and jog around the city wearing only slippers," Ben Delgado, Pacquiao's former trainer, told Examiner.com. "He would eat only three tiny pieces of pandesal (bread) for the entire day. That was all he could afford. I really pitied him. But he was never discouraged," said Delgado.
Victory at all costs; victory however long and hard the road. For Pacquiao, there was no survival without victory.
Speaking of his desire to help, Pacquiao said: "I hope to help them . . . . I was just thinking, imaging that I could help them. I could feel what they are feeling because I’ve been there."
PacMan Yellow >
The PacMan urged his fans to wear yellow this Saturday. The color is a symbol for happiness, joy and optimism - traits that hardly escape a man who began his fighting career at 98 lbs., and who now transforms into a fearsome whirling dervish inside the ring. Someone rival Floyd Mayweather Jr (41-0) wants no part of.
Pacquiao has a guaranteed purse of $20 million while the Pomona-native has a $5 million guarantee with both able to share on financial incentives from pay-per-view revenue.
Manny Pacquiao:
"I’d like to thank everyone involved with this promotion – the MGM, Top Rank, SHOWTIME and CBS. It’s my first time on CBS. It’s good to be back in Las Vegas. I miss being in Vegas for a big fight.
There has not been trash talk for this fight, and I am happy for that. It sets a good example for the children who idolize fighters. In my life, this is the best promotion I’ve ever had (been involved in).
I am looking forward to Saturday and making a good fight with Shane Mosley for the fans. I am definitely not taking this fight lightly and I am not underestimating Shane Mosley. Mosley has good hand- and foot-speed and he moves like he is 31 or 32.
Both of us have worked hard and had great training camps. We will both be doing our best, which should make for a lot of action and make the fans happy. I will be happy if this happens."
Shane Mosley:
"Pacquiao is a short welterweight, but he’s not a small welterweight. He’s very powerful. This is like a Mike Tyson fight – we’re heavyweights out there. I’m looking to go out there, take charge and beat Manny Pacquiao.
We’re going to go out there and not take our foot off the gas pedal.
I can muster all that energy that I had against Margarito. This type of fight reminds me of when I was able to do a lot of damage in the lightweight division. It’s kind of like going back in time.
I think I can do all the things I could do in the ring five years ago. Ten years ago, I can’t think back that far.
I’m a great fighter but I’m a regular person at heart. I think that’s why a lot of people are attracted to me
I don’t know, that’s what the odds makers are saying. That’s fine with me. The main goal is to get the win and then we can talk about being an underdog. I don’t pay attention to that – I’ve been an underdog in a lot of my fights.
Every time I fight my goal is to give a great fight. I always want to do my best, whether I knock him out in the 12th, 10th, whatever.
I think living healthy and living clean, keeping myself active even when I’m not fighting (is what keeps me young). I think that’s why I’m still able to do this. Maybe it’s good genetics, too. I still feel good, I still feel young. I feel like I could fight for years.
That’s great. Floyd does what he does and he says what he says. But, for the most part, we’re all friendly with the Mayweather family and I think that’s why he’s pulling for me."
Bob Arum:
"It’s no secret we’ve been out of Las Vegas with Manny Pacquiao fights for over a year. We had two fights in Dallas but I’m happy to say we’re back because Las Vegas needs an event like this. Hundreds of millions of dollars will be brought into Las Vegas with this event.
The way we’ve conducted this promotion is something new to the sport of boxing. The pairs of eyeballs that watch Fight Camp 360 is well over three million and by Saturday it will be well over four million.
The measure will be that more people will be able to know and do know about this fight than any other fight in recent memory.
Everybody loves “Sugar” Shane Mosley because he respects his opponent and he respects the sport. But when he gets in the ring he has a fire in his belly. When the opponent gets in the ring and is ready to fight nobody is braver than Shane Mosley."
Freddie Roach:
"I’m very proud of Manny and the training camp he just went through. He said at the start that this was a tough fight and he has trained his butt off since Day 1.
This is definitely a tough fight but Manny is 100 percent ready. We have a great team. I want to thank the entire camp for helping make this the best camp ever.
Manny is in the best shape ever. He knows he has to be. We are facing a determined guy who is extremely crafty and experienced.
We anticipate a sensational championship event this weekend and we know the fans in the sold-out arena and those watching on TV will witness a battle between two of the sport’s greatest champions.
Manny Pacquiao will return to MGM Grand for the first time since 2009 and looks to earn his fourth straight win inside this arena. He will once again bring his high-energy action to the ring while entertaining his supporters not only from the Philippines but those around the Globe.
It’s also a pleasure to welcome back Shane Mosley to MGM Grand, where he fought exactly one year ago. Mosley has had tremendous success here and in Las Vegas over the course of his career. We are obviously anxious once again to see the skills and exceptional speed he brings into the ring each time he fights."
Naazim Richardson:
"I’m very protective of my athletes. You have to protect them and look out for their best interests.
Margarito took shots early in the fight from Shane Mosley that, to this day, I’m still surprised. Margarito is a special athlete and what Shane did still surprises me.
We tend to overlook the high IQ that Shane has in boxing.
It’s not about him trying to be like Pacquiao. This is a legend. This is “Sugar” Shane Mosley. He doesn’t have to be like Pacquiao. He has to be “Sugar” Shane Mosley. If he can be the best “Sugar” Shane Mosley then Manny Pacquiao is going to have problems.
Shane Mosley is a great person; he just happens to know how to fight his ass off.
You’re not talking about an ordinary guy getting older. You’re talking about a legend. “Sugar” Shane Mosley doesn’t have to match Manny Pacquiao because he’s bringing his own weapons."