Some three years ago, Manny Pacquiao was generally considered the greatest boxer in the planet, annihilating everyone that stood in his way only to falter in 2012 after a controversial loss to Timothy Bradley and a stunning knockout loss to Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez.
As he faces American-Mexican Brandon Rios, Pacquiao knows that another loss could spell the end of his fabled career. His cocky opponent, the former lightweight champion Rios, however, has promised to retire the only man who has titles in eight different weight classes.
"I'll be in the best shape of my life. I'm coming 100 percent ready. Mentally and physically ready.I'll let you concentrate on being a congressman. I've got to go in there and I gotta retire you. I've got to retire Manny Pacquiao, because I'm the next star," Rios boldly told Pacquiao in an HBO special titled Face Off With Max Kellerman and as quoted by The Ring. The special is scheduled to be aired on November 9, Saturday, to hype up the November 23 clash between the two fighters in Macau.
Pacquiao, for his part, said his speed and power are still there. He also said he wants to prove that he is not yet over-the-hill.
"I believe that I can prove to the people that I can still fight and that my boxing career is not done yet. The most important thing is that I want to get back the trust and confidence of the fans ... I have a 100 percent desire to continue my boxing career ... I'm not old. I'm still young," said Pacquiao.
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