MANILA, Philippines—Canadian mixed martial arts star Georges St. Pierre shares more than just the tag as pound-for-pound king with Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.
Both are known to be very methodical in training, leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for each fight.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship star has also worked out under Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s chief trainer.
And both of them are fueled by a passion for excellence.
“I want to do to MMA what Michael Jordan has done to basketball and Muhammad Ali to boxing, and bring the sport to a whole new level,” St. Pierre said at a press conference at the ELJ Building in Quezon City.
“My goal is to become the best pound-for-pound fighter of all time.”
St. Pierre is in the country for a four-day visit arranged by ABS-CBN sports cable channel Balls, which airs UFC fights. He is also scheduled to appear at the SM Mall of Asia Saturday afternoon.
The shaven-skulled fighter has only lost twice in 22 matches and said the key to his success has been his preparation.
“I always want to be as well-prepared as possible when I fight because one mistake could end my career,” said St. Pierre, the UFC welterweight king.
St. Pierre said working under Roach has worked wonders to his career.
“I thought I knew boxing until I met Freddie,” he said, referring to Roach, who has been credited for transforming Pacquiao into the all-round boxer that he is right now.
“Freddie is amazing. He brought me back to school and took my boxing to another level. He is very technical.”
Although there is still a clamor for him to move up to the 185 lb division to face Brazilian star Anderson Silva, St. Pierre said he’d rather focus on his Dec. 11 fight with Josh Couscheck in his hometown in Quebec.
“I still have a lot to prove in the welterweight division. I’m moving up in weight at the right time,” said St. Pierre.
And St. Pierre admits he is a big fan of Pacquiao.
“Pacquiao is untouchable right now,” he said.
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