Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is set to touch down in Australia, with the eight-division world champ announcing a national tour just weeks after his blockbuster showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Fresh from revisiting the richest fight in boxing history, “Pac-Man” will bring his star power Down Under for a speaking tour featuring fan events and meet-and-greets, with full details expected to be confirmed soon.
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It will mark the first time the Filipino superstar has been back since his controversial defeat to Jeff Horn in the Battle of Brisbane.
Horn – fighting in front of 51,052 fans at Suncorp Stadium – was awarded a unanimous decision victory to claim the WBO welterweight title in one of the most debated results in recent boxing history.
The Hall of Famer wasn’t happy with the result at the time, but smiled when asked if any bitterness remained.
“That was a long time ago and I will never forget that moment,” he told Fox Sports Australia.
“But I’m really excited to return.”
Earlier this year it was announced that Mayweather would end his near decade-long retirement to face his former foe in an official rematch on September 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
However, “Money” has since cast doubt over the bout, suggesting the fight may instead be an exhibition – leaving the official status unclear.
Pacquiao had previously claimed the 50-0 fighter may be wary of risking his perfect record, but now admits he remains unsure of Floyd’s intentions.
“I don’t know what his strategy is, but we signed for a real fight,” Pacquiao said.
“And both of us signed already.”
Considered the greatest pound-for-pound fighters of their generation, both men are also widely ranked among the greatest ever.
Mayweather has long insisted he is the best to ever do it, naming Roberto Duran and Pernell Whitaker at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.
Pacquiao, however, was more diplomatic when asked if he agrees.
“He is self-proclaimed [greatest]… but I will not place my own chair,” the southpaw sensation said.
Pac-Man then reeled off his own unique accomplishments.
“On my side, I can claim that I’m the only eight-division world champion,” he said.
“I can claim I’m the only fighter who became a champion in four decades.
“The fans can judge us, but I don’t think he [Mayweather] can claim with any of his accomplishments that he’s the only one.”
When pressed on whether Mayweather sits among the top 10 fighters of all time, he shrugged.
“He could be,” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao and former unified champ Errol Spence Jr. were scheduled to fight in 2021 before the American withdrew due to an eye injury.
The bout never eventuated, but it was one Pac-Man was very confident of winning.
Now, with Australia’s Tim Tszyu closing in on a showdown with “The Big Fish”, Pacquiao had some advice.
“It all depends on how he prepares for the fight and what he sacrifices…” he said.
“And footwork is the most important.”
Aussie fight fans have long debated how a prime Pacquiao would have fared against Kostya Tszyu – a matchup the Filipino legend loves the sound of.
“Back in the day with Kostya Tszyu?” he grinned.
“That’s definitely a good fight.”
Asked which modern fighters possess similar footwork and speed to himself, Pacquiao paused.
“Naoya Inoue,” he said.
“He has similar footwork – and footwork is the key.
“Like in basketball, footwork helps the dribbling and handling. Same thing in boxing, the footwork executes your gameplans.
“And the most important thing is hard work, discipline and blessings from God.”
When pressed on how the Mayweather showdown on September 19 will play out, Pacquiao stayed characteristically humble.
“It’s going to be an exciting fight, I’m looking forward to it and I know the fans are excited to watch.”
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