Sugar Ray Leonard in Las Vegas (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)
By Chris Robinson
Later tonight, inside of the Venetian Resort’s Coati Arena in Macau, China, former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and former lightweight titlist Brandon Rios will put to rest months of hard work and anticipation when the lock horns on the final HBO pay per view telecast of 2013.
The interest in the showdown has been steadily building and despite Pacquiao being a heavy favorite in the match, nearly everyone agrees that there will be suspense when the bell rings.
On Thursday and Friday afternoon, inside of the Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas, boxing stars of the past and present assembled to discuss the match. Present for various media duties were Tim Bradley, Marco Antonio Barrera, Mike Alvarado, Roberto Duran, George Foreman, Ray Mancini, and Sugar Ray Leonard.
Still sharp as ever, Leonard took a brief moment to give his thoughts on what he sees as a worthy matchup.
“That’s going to be a very intriguing fight,” Leonard claimed. “It’s a good matchup. It’s based on what Pacquiao brings to the ring. He’s trying to erase the memory of [Juan Manuel] Marquez.”
Leonard is right in pointing out how Pacquiao’s knockout loss to Marquez this past December may have lingering effects.
More than anything, Leonard feels that everything will come from the mindset Pacquiao carries with him to the ring.
“If he goes in there as Manny Pacquiao, it should be a good fight. [But] if he goes in there as a politician…,” Leonard stated, choosing not finish the sentence while nodding his head.
PLEASE CHECK BELOW for more all-access Pacquiao vs. Rios coverage…
George Foreman gets deep on Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios
Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini: ‘Alex Ariza should be kissing Freddie Roach’s ass!’
Tim Bradley says he dominated Marquez; only has intest in facing Mayweather or Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios Official Weigh-In from Macau, China [11.22.2013]
Sugar Ray Leonard gives his quick take on Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios
Tim Bradley talks Pacquiao vs. Rios: ‘Freddie Roach always plays mental games’
Roy Jones Jr. – ‘Pacquiao is clearly the better boxer; Rios is clearly the better brawler’
Marco Antonio Barrera believes that Manny Pacquiao’s movement will be key against Rios
Freddie Roach sees flaws in Floyd Mayweather’s game and hopes Pacquiao can one day face him
Mike Alvarado: ‘I’ve got Pacquiao in a later stoppage against Rios’
Floyd Mayweather Sr. reacts to the brawl between Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza
Freddie Roach opens up on the confrontation with Team Rios, his racist comments, and the aftermath
Near brawl in Macau as Freddie Roach confronts Team Rios and gets kicked by Alex Ariza
Manny Pacquiao showing off his speed and power in Macau ahead of showdown with Rios
Manny Pacquiao full core workout in Macau, China days before clash with Brandon Rios
Manny Pacquiao opens up on his training for Rios, Brandon’s power, the Typhoon in the Philippines, and more
Freddie Roach calls Brandon Rios a ‘pretender’ and eyes Floyd Mayweather for Manny Pacquiao
Shawn Porter feels the old Manny Pacquiao will return against Brandon Rios
Brandon Rios believes that his pressure will negate Manny Pacquiao’s speed
Miguel Diaz says Pacquiao’s knockout loss to Marquez ‘means nothing’; favors him over Rios
Juan Manuel Marquez favors Pacquiao over Brandon Rios but shoots down a fifth fight with Manny
Brandon Rios says people in China don’t like Manny Pacquiao
Gennady Golovkin feels Brandon Rios could suffer the same fate as Margarito did against Pacquiao
Robert Garcia opens up on Alex Ariza joining Team Rios; insists he won’t take any drama in camp
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com