PACQUIAO APPEALS FOR COOLER HEADS
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 21 Nov 2013
MACAU, China ? Animosity persists.
While Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao appealed for sobriety for the protagonists in Wednesday?s ugly confrontation between members of his team and those of Brandon Rios.
Freddie Roach and Robert Garcia sounded like they weren?t ready to bury the hatchet, not in soonest possible time.
Roach, for one, harshest victim of the incident when he received a muay thai kick from former Pacquiao strength coach Alex Ariza, who is now with the Rios camp, said he is suing his the prodigal guru once he gets back to the U.S.
?Yes, definitely, I?m going to court to seek redress for the harm, embarrassment and insult dealt me by the incident,? Roach told this writer a day after the melee. ?I have the tapes of what happened which will serve as proof.?
Garcia, on the other hand, sounded displeased and disappointed on how media presented the incident, urging those present in the media conference to watch instead the video taken by a website friendly to his camp.
"There were plenty of television crews, photographers, reporters there. I don't see why none of them are putting out exactly what happened,? Garcia said.
Taking a swipe at fight carrier HBO 24/7, Garcia added,? I don't know what HBO 24/7 will put up.?
"Reporters and photographers that were putting pictures up that are making our team look bad,? he said rather sarcastically.
Pacquiao, a lawmaker representing his province Sarangani in the Lower House, advised all concerned to put what happened behind them.?All I can say is both teams prepared for this fight. My team, we are preparing for this fight, and Rios? team is preparing for this fight. Let everybody finish it this way. There should be no more trash talking before the fight.
?What happened was not what the people who love boxing should see. If anyone holds a grudge against someone, the Lord will forgive you,? the bible preaching eight-division champion stressed.
?This is sport, there?s nothing personal. This is our job and we should our job to perform and entertain people in the ring, the soon-to-be 35 year-old added.
?To all the people who are watching right now, especially the American people, don?t miss this fight because it?s going to be a good fight. Brandon says he?s hungry to win.I am also hungry to win because I have lost twice in the past year, ?Pacquiao recalled in reference to his questionable split decision setback to Tim Bradley and the stunning sixth round KO to arch enemy Juan Manuel Marquez.
?I am doing my best to make it a good fight to win, especially because of what happened to my countrymen in the Philippines who fell victim to the wrath of a recent typhoon. he said.?To all the people and their families who were affected by the calamities that struck our county, this fight is for you.?
Rios, for his part said the coking showdown with the ?Fighter of the Decade? serves his stepping stone to superstardom. ?People believe I won?t be a problem to Pacquiao, who they added should have easy time beating me.?
?I'm going to be a huge problem (to Pacquiao). This camp is the best I've ever had. I've been disciplined. I've followed my diet and done everything I need to win,? the 27-year-old Mexican-American said;. "Everyone thinks this fight is merely a tune-up fight (for a Pacquiao). I'm nobody's tune-up fight and nobody's punch bag. A punching bag don't punch back. I'm a monster when I get in that ring. On Sunday a new star is on the rise," Rios assured.
Photo: Pacquiao (L) and Roach (R) during Thursday's workout at the Venetian Macao. Photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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