Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. pose for the media during the final press conference held at the KA Theatre in MGM Grand, Las Vegas Nevada on Wednesday, 29 April 2015. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA/ INQUIRER / See more at FRAME
LAS VEGAS—Manny Pacquiao is making it clear that he is not departing from his narrative of faith. In fact, he reiterated that he is hoping to reel in Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a mission to inspire the world.
The eight-division champion said his ultimate goal is to be able to have a conversation with Mayweather after the fight on Saturday in a bid to provide inspiration to the younger generation.
“This is more than just a fight,” Pacquiao said during the final press conference for his bout against the undefeated Mayweather. “After the fight, I want to be able to talk to Floyd and have a conversation with him about how we can be an inspiration to children.”
READ: Manny wants to be friends with Floyd, maybe even convert him to his faith
Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank chief Bob Arum, feels it would be a good idea for the Filipino ring icon to try and “convert” Mayweather.
“It would do Floyd a lot of good personally if he found God and changed his ways,” said Arum.
Pacquiao has repeatedly said he wants this fight to be a testament to his faith, guaranteeing a victory on the basis that he can do anything “through Christ, who strengthens me.”
READ: Pacquiao wants fight with Mayweather to be testament of faith, inspiration
The Bible-quoting Pacquiao has rattled off verse after biblical verse to ease concerns of his supporters by assuring them that his faith will lift him to victory.
“More than winning the fight, I wanna prove that God can make something out of nothing,” added Pacquiao, who battles Mayweather on May 2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena here. Pacquiao has been a running soap opera on his own, with the plot centering on a young street urchin’s rise from sleeping on cardboard boxes in street corners to owning spanking homes in posh addresses.
“I want to be an inspiration to everyone; [to prove] that a boy who had no slippers and slept on the streets could reach this level,” Pacquiao added.
READ: Pacquiao relives life in poverty, death of friend in the ring in mini docu
Pacquiao was all smiles during the press conference, a picture of relaxed confidence that he has been projecting since journalists started arriving in Los Angeles to cover his preparation for what is turning out to be the richest fight in history.
In a pep rally hosted by Mandalay Bay and attended by a horde of fans, Pacquiao urged his supporters not to be nervous.
“I’m the one who is going to fight on the ring and I am not nervous, so relax,” he said.
READ: Pacquiao: Relax, I’m going to beat Floyd Mayweather
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