Manny Pacquiao arrives at the fan rally at the Convention Center of Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on Tuesday, 28 April 2015. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA/INQUIRER/See more at FRAME
LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao entered the function room with an aura of confidence. He was smiling, waving a hand while carrying a Canon EOS 1DX camera which he used to shoot at the select group of reporters, photographers and television crews gathered for a Question & Answer meeting Tuesday afternoon.
“My confidence right now is different than the other fights I had,” said Pacquiao. “I’m very excited. This is it. I had to prove something.”
At a fan rally at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center earlier Tuesday morning, put at 100 percent his level of confidence.
READ: Pacquiao: Relax, I’m going to beat Floyd Mayweather
The eight-division world champion obviously relishes the underdog tag given him against Floyd Mayweather Jr. for their colossal battle on Saturday at MGM Garden Grand Arena here.
“This is it. I like that (underdog),” said Pacquiao. “My killer instinct is back.”
READ: Killer instinct back, Pacquiao brings his best to Vegas
That remains to be seen, however. Despite scoring six knockdowns over Chris Algieri last November in Macau, Pacquiao seemed hesitant to finish off the outclassed New Yorker.
This time, however, Pacquiao believes that the time has come for him to end Mayweather’s 47-win run and unify the world welterweight crown.
And to do that, Pacquiao has worked hard throughout his seven-week training camp at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, under the watchful eyes of seven-time trainer of the year Freddie Roach.
READ: Pacquiao assures Roach of 8th trainer of the year award
Now, he looks like he’s on a mission to free boxing from the clutches of Mayweather and give the sport back to the fans.
And Pacquiao sounded certain he’d succeed.
“We’re not depending on one strategy. We have two, three,” said Pacquiao.
“If he wants to fight, or if he wants to run in the ring,” I’m ready,” said Pacquiao, later changing the word ”run” to ”move,” grinning.
According to Pacquiao, Mayweather isn’t even the most difficult opponent he’d ever faced.
The Fighter of the Decade cited Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Marquez as tougher foes.
BACKSTORY: Pacquiao-Mayweather: in the eyes of common foes
As to Mayweather’s boast that 47 have tried but failed to beat him, Pacquiao retorted: “I’m different from those 47. I’m faster, more confident for the fight. I believe he will lose.”
Despite a hectic Monday, which saw him go to bed at nearly 11 p.m., Pacquiao was up early in the morning for his run and exercises at Silverado High School.
After the Q & A, he went back to his suite to hold Bible service.
It’s his source of strength, happiness and confidence.