MANILA, Philippines – Ang pagkampi sa kanya ng tinaguriang “The Greatest” ay malaking bagay para kay Manny Pacquiao.
Sa katunayan sa pagharap ni Pacquiao kay Floyd Mayweather Jr. sa May 2 ay gagawing inspirasyon ng Filipino icon si Muhammad Ali.
Matapos piliin ni Ali na mananalo kay Maywea-ther, ipinahayag ng WBO welterweight champion ang kanyang kasiyahan at nangakong ibibigay ang kanyang makakaya laban kay Mayweather.
“Hearing that he (Ali) picks me over his compatriot is truly humbling and inspiring. I’ll do my best to live up to his expectations and that of the fans worldwide,” sabi ni Pacquiao kay Aquiles Zonio ng Philboxing.com.
Nakapanayam ng TMZ Sports kamakalawa, kinumpirma ng anak ni Ali na kinakampihan ng boxing legend si Pacquiao kontra kay Mayweather.
“My dad is Team Pacquiao all the way,” sabi ni Rasheda Ali.
“My dad really likes Manny. He’s a huge fan of his,” dagdag pa nito.
Si Ali ay tagahanga ni Pacquiao bilang boxer at maging bilang isang philanthropist.
“He knows Manny’s a great fighter ... but it’s more about what he does outside the ring. He’s such a charitable person,” sabi ni Rasheda.
Pinuri naman ni Pacquiao ang 73-anyos na si Ali ukol sa kontribusyon nito sa loob at labas ng boxing ring.
“In fact, he (Ali) serves as one of my inspirations in doing charity works outside of boxing. He’s a man of principle and a good role model for us,” ani Pacquiao.
Samantala, nakahanap ng bagong kaaaway ang trainer ni Pacquiao na si Freddie Roach nang magsalita ito ukol sa sparmate ni Mayweather na si J Zab Judah.
Nakarating kay Judah ang sinabi ni Roach na matanda na siya kaya siya napabagsak ni Mayweather.
“Who cares if Floyd knocks out an old man like Zab Judah,” ang qoute ni Roach sa mga balita.
“Man, he’s gone on record saying Zab’s old, Zab’s a bum, but I’m not the one fighting Manny Pacquiao,” ani Judah. “I’m not even in this fight. The guy he should be worried about is Mayweather. (DM)