Manny took pity after fight

MANILA, Philippines - WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao said the other day he took pity on Chris Algieri after their 12-round bout ended at the Cotai Arena in the Venetian Macau but not during last Sunday’s fight because he went for a knockout.

Although Pacquiao failed to score an abbreviated win, it was a dominant performance punctuated by Algieri suffering six knockdowns. “Freddie (Roach) was smiling after every round,” said Pacquiao. “He was never worried.” The Filipino ring icon confirmed that when Roach begged him for a knockout, he told the six-time Trainer of the Year to ask it “in Jesus’ name.” Roach, who was born a Catholic, asked it the way Pacquiao wanted but it was God’s will for Algieri to survive the distance.

Pacquiao said he thought referee Genaro Rodriguez would stop it in the ninth round where Algieri went down twice. “He stepped in as I was throwing punches,” recalled Pacquiao. “So I thought it was over. But Rodriguez just checked if Algieri was okay then he let the fight continue. I was surprised Rodriguez did that. It wasn’t the first time he was a referee in my fight.” In Macau last year, Rodriguez was also the third man in the ring when Pacquiao outpointed Brandon Rios.

Pacquiao admitted he went for a knockout in every round but Algieri wouldn’t take the full count. Algieri’s reluctance to engage saved him from a knockout. Roach said he knew within the first 30 seconds of the fight, Algieri would run scared the entire route. Conditioning coach Justin Fortune said Algieri isn’t in the same league as Pacquiao.

Pacquiao shared his impressions with Blackwater Elite team owner Dioceldo Sy, PBA Blackwater governor Silliman Sy, PBA Blackwater alternate governor Wilbert Loa, Excite Events CEO Gelo Serrano, Atty. Francisco Acosta and Atty. Larry Cruz during lunch at the Tao Yuan Restaurant in Malate right after arriving in Manila from General Santos City last Wednesday. Later that night, Pacquiao was warmly welcomed back as Kia Sorento playing coach in a game against Purefoods at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Pacquiao said he was in excellent condition for the fight. “When I’m fighting for 12 rounds, I train in the gym for 28 to 34 rounds,” he said. Fortune said when the bout ended last Sunday, he felt Pacquiao could’ve gone another 12 rounds. He never ran out of gas, never cramped and never slowed down his pace.

Pacquiao said among the over 300 people he invited to Macau, there was a special family he took particular care of. “I brought the Florentino family of Malabon over,” he said. “There were five of them. When I came to Manila from General Santos in 1994, they were my second family. Before I turned pro, I got very sick and my temperature ran up to 43. Doctors were surprised that I didn’t convulse. At that time, I did work in construction when not training in the gym. I did paint jobs, welded and even went up high scaffolds to install metal frames in buildings. I also sold roses and sampaguita in Baclaran. The Florentino family brought me to the hospital and never left me. Nobody imagined I would be what I am today. They went out of their way to help me and I’ll never forget that. Today, if I get sick, I’m sure a lot of rich people will help me. But back then, I was a poor teenager and only the Florentinos bothered to take care of me.”

Pacquiao said he’d like to face Floyd Mayweather next. “Let’s give the people what they deserve and want to see,” he said. “I’m not surprised that Mayweather has been quiet lately. It’s because he has no reason to put me down. I’m waiting for him.”

Pacquiao said he did the Foot Locker commercial in General Santos City about a month ago. The commercial shows Pacquiao celebrating after being told that Mayweather had agreed to fight. “They wanted to film it in the US but I told them I was in training, that if they wanted to do it, they should come to General Santos and they did,” said Pacquiao.

Regarding his knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, Pacquiao said he wouldn’t mind a fifth meeting to settle things but the Mexican, who is now 41, has priced himself out of the equation to avoid the wrath of the vengeful Filipino. Pacquiao said he was sure that if the fourth fight went another round, Marquez would’ve been knocked out.

“I went after him because he was ready to go,” said Pacquiao. “He couldn’t breathe, there was blood clogging his nose. I thought why wait for another round when I could take him out. As I came forward, he stepped on my foot so I pitched towards him. I don’t think he even knew where I was. He just threw a right which caught me. I felt the impact of the punch. I was aware. Then, I blacked out. My eyes were open as the referee counted. I wanted to get up but my body wasn’t responding. If I held back to let it go another round, I would’ve knocked him out.”