Mayweather a good guy, says Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

MANILA, Philippines-Bad blood what? With the drama between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. seemingly increasing by the day, the Filipino boxing champion said the brash American is an honest to goodness good guy.

“I think Floyd is essentially a good person, a nice person,”Pacquiao said in a report in Philboxing.

Pacquiao and Mayweather, who have maintained an interesting rivalry for the past several years, only met once and it was during an NBA game between the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks in January.

“When Floyd approached me across the court, we were surrounded by a lot of people. Maybe they’re thinking that we’re going to fight, there and then,” Pacquiao said.

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

After the brief meeting, the two boxers met on Pacquiao’s suite in Florida and discussed the possible mega fight that could happen on May 2.

It was a lengthy discussion which Pacquiao graciously hosted and Mayweather eagerly discussing the possibility.

“Later that night he visited me at my hotel. He did most of the talking, and I just listened,” boxing’s only eight-division world champion said.

Pacquiao added that Mayweather maintains a “villain” persona once there are people around, but he remains a good guy if ‘‘The Money Team’’ isn’t around.

“When Floyd is surrounded by his people, his attitude changes and he becomes bossy,” Pacquiao said.

Mayweather, who only accepts fight purses in cash, refers to himself as “Money,” hence his crew is called The Money Team.