As Manny Pacquiao's November 23rd date with Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios draws nearer, the Filipino icon is dropping hints as to what is in store when he steps into the ring in Macau, China.
Pacquiao is comparing the bullish, offensive-minded Rios to Ricky Hatton, whom Pacquiao viciously knocked out in the second round.
"My gameplan for Rios will be similar to the one I had for Ricky Hatton," Pacquiao said. "That fight didn't go long enough for me to unveil everything. Maybe this time I'll be able to show more of that plan. Maybe."
While Pacquiao is a heavy favorite to dispatch the tough but limited Rios, Pacman is showing respect for his grit and punching power.
Brandon Rios is an extremely dangerous opponent," Pacquiao said. "He is young, strong and has no quit in him. I raced him up the steps of the Great Wall. He's a competitor."
Still, Rios has a tendency to be one-dimensional, and Pacquiao thinks his quickness and experience will allow him to prevail against the younger challenger.
"I have seen Rios fight and I am confident that I will win the fight. One of my advantages is my experience against better opposition. A more diversified opposition."
Pacquiao has been linked to rumors of a rematch with Timothy Bradley should he live up to his predictions and take out Rios, but some, including Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach, are clinging to hopes that an impressive knockout will convince Floyd Mayweather Jr. to accept a challenge.
They've piped up in the past, but Mayweather attempted to lay those hopes to rest this summer when he told MLive.com, "He's not going to get a chance to fight me. Now, I'm feeling like I wouldn't even give him a chance. He had a chance, he blew it, so that's what it is."
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