Manny ready for whatever Rios brings

MACAU – Manny Pacquiao hasn’t looked this confident in a long, long time. Glowing with a positive aura, Pacquiao greeted well-wishers in his North 38th floor suite at the Venetian Resort Hotel, posed for pictures and signed autographs early Friday evening before dinner. As usual, he was mobbed by fans who relished every moment with the boxing icon.

It didn’t seem like Pacquiao was coming off back-to-back losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez. There was no sign of anxiety or jitters. Pacquiao said he’s well-prepared to take care of Brandon Rios in their 12-round bout for the vacant WBO International welterweight title this morning at the 15,000-seat Cotai Arena inside the Venetian which boasts of 3,000 suites and 1.2 million square feet of convention and meeting facilities.

Pacquiao, 34, was so relaxed that he lay on a sofa and took a snooze while waiting for a TV network to set up a live camera interview with a Manila anchor.  His wife Jinkee who is four months pregnant said she expects a rousing victory. “We will rise again,” she declared. “Manny has worked so hard and so long to come back. God is on his side.”

No matter what Rios brings to the ring, Pacquiao said he’s ready. Even as he hasn’t fought since running into a right hand and losing to Marquez last December, Pacquiao said there’s no rust in his armor. He laughed off Rios’ claim that his legs were gone and he won’t be able to sustain a long grind. “I’m in good shape,” said Pacquiao. “Before I started training for Rios, I was playing basketball nearly every day. I don’t know what Rios is talking about because I never got tired playing so much. Let’s see who gets tired when we fight.”

Pacquiao said Rios’ come-forward style is tailor-fit for him. Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto fought Pacquiao the same way and they paid a hefty price for it. “I think he’ll run,” said Pacquiao. “But I think he’s too slow to get away. Whatever he does, I’m ready for him. I’ll work on his body which I think is a weak spot.”

Mike Rosenthal of the Ring Magazine said “Rios’ style and limitations will help Pacquiao realize his goal (which is) he must win and look good doing it if he is to remain near the apex of the sport.”

Fans anticipate a war and neither fighter will back down. “Rios is an angry bull who lives to destroy,” said Rosenthal. “And of course, that will suit an aging Pacquiao just fine. He’ll most likely wait for Rios to enter his danger zone and then tear him apart. The fight might not last long but it will be tremendously compelling as long as it does. Pacquiao and Rios know no other way.”

Regarding the recent melee involving Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza, Pacquiao said it was not a show. Ariza has not forgiven Roach for firing him and since moving to Rios’ camp, the conditioning coach continues to seethe. In an encounter a few days ago, Ariza kicked Roach on the chest and mocked his Parkinson’s stutter and tremors. Pacquiao said boxing shouldn’t be dragged to the gutter by classless antics. He couldn’t believe Ariza assaulted Roach.

As for Jinkee, she still doesn’t know if her baby is a boy or girl. “Two months before it was confirmed I was pregnant, I dreamed of Manny holding a baby boy,” she said. “I never thought I was pregnant at that time. Maybe, it’s a sign that my baby is boy but I have no preference. This is a blessing from God.”

Pacquiao’s thoughts aren’t only on the fight. The other night, he spoke about building a temple in General Santos City on a two-hectare property he owns. The temple will be called The Word for Everyone Movement Fellowship Center and the plan is construct a facility to accommodate 1,000 to 2,000. Pacquiao remains a devout born-again Christian and does Bible Study with Israeli pastor Amir Tsarfati whom he befriended in Los Angeles. Tsarfati is here to minister to Pacquiao.