Mike Tyson. AFP FILE PHOTO
LAS VEGAS – Mike Tyson, once reputed to be “the baddest man on the plannet,’’ sees nothing wrong with Manny Pacquiao’s religious fervor.
On Saturday, however, Tyson hopes that Pacquiao will shed his ‘’nice guy’’ image and turn himself into a monster once the bell rings.
“ He has to be a monster,” said Tyson, the former world heavyweight champion who, in his prime, sowed fear and terror in the ring. “He has to be an intelligent monster. He can’t just rush in. He has to be very elusive.’’
A certified fan of Pacquiao, Tyson was in the audience in the final press conference of the ‘’fight of the century’’ between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Wednesday at KA Theatre in MGM Grand Garden Arena.
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“ From Manny’s appearance, he is very aggressive and he is very hard to hit. Manny should do very well,” said the now 48 year-old who retired with a 50-win (44 by knockout), 8-loss record.
“ This is going to be a great fight, no doubt about that,” added the boxing Hall of Fame inductee.
Tyson, a power puncher who knocked out his first 19 pro opponents, reiterated his preference for Pacquiao.
“ I like Manny because he is punching hard and he’s very elusive and very hard to hit. This is going to be very interesting,” said Tyson, the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20.
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Tyson, hardly impressed by Mayweather’s untainted 47-0 slate, shook his head when asked of the flamboyant American’s chances against Pacquiao.
“ Floyd has to force (himself) to score more than 38 punches around this guy. Manny is gonna close, Manny’s gonna be close, Manny will be fast and moving side to side. Floyd has got to bring more than an A-plus game (to win),” said Tyson, who gained notoriety when he bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear when they fought in 1998.