Boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr., left, and Manny Pacquiao, of the Philippines, pose for photos after a news conference, Wednesday, March 11, 2015, in Los Angeles. AP
HOLLYWOOD—There’s a perceptible change in the way Floyd Mayweather Jr. now regards Manny Pacquiao as their Fight of the Century draws near.
Usually cocky in his statements and with a 47-0 record to boast of, Mayweather now describes Pacquiao as a “formidable opponent”—verbal salute to the man he once dismissed as a “washed-up.”
The American has altered his training methods, as well, going back to basics in his preparation for the grandest fight in history.
In a 2012 article by ESPN.go.com, Mayweather was quoted as saying that getting in the ring against Pacquiao “would be a risk to his future health.”
Mayweather then went on to accuse Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs
Pacquiao, on the other hand, has publicly announced that he isn’t afraid of Mayweather and that he’s going to punish him for being a braggart in the eyes of the Lord.
Mayweather’s original reluctance to fight Pacquiao may have stemmed from the way the Filipino icon dominated bigger fighters like Antonio Margarito, Joshua Clottey, Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley.
Though Mayweather also won over them, it was clear that Pacquiao fared even better.
While ring pundits have installed Mayweather as favorite in their fight to be beamed live all over the world, Pacquiao doesn’t mind.
He just wanted to prove that he’s the better fighter.
Considering Mayweather’s actuations, Pacquiao may be right.
The brilliant tactician that he is, Mayweather may have seem something on Pacquiao’s arsenal that he can’t hope to stop.
It’s precisely the reason why, he tried hard to block the fight that should enrich him even farther.
For more updates on Pacquiao-Mayweather “Fight of the Century,” visit The Pacquiao Files.