LOS ANGELES — Fear is a feeling completely alien to Manny Pacquiao.
Twelve days before colliding with Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Pacquiao expressed readiness to wage a war with the pound-for-pound king, assuring everyone that all is well.
“If I feel that I am not 100 percent fit and ready, then I have all the reason to say that I am worried about this fight,” said Pacquiao on Monday after a hellish morning run at Griffith Park and an intense mitts session with Freddie Roach in the afternoon.
“But I feel very good and I believe that this is the best condition that I have ever been,” he said.
Asked if his conditioning is at its zenith, Pacquiao boldly answered in the affirmative.
“The best, the best,” said Pacquiao, his face showing no signs that he is facing a heavily-favored foe who is picked to rip him apart according to oddsmakers.
Pacquiao arrived for training camp on March 1 although he had already spent some time working out in the Philippines in preparation for the biggest fight in boxing history.
And his determination and drive to score a massive upset showed during his training days under Freddie Roach, who told the press that he even had to hold back his No. 1 fighter for fear that he might get burned out.
Less than two weeks before meeting the unbeaten Mayweather, Pacquiao craved for more from Roach, who had no choice but to turn him down.
“He keeps on asking for more but I have to hold him down,” said Roach.
“I wanted more, more rounds,” hollered Pacquiao in the background, a tad disappointed that he didn’t get his wish.
But Freddie knows best and Pacquiao admits he has no other option but to practice patience.
“Soon, everything’s going to be settled,” said the 36-year-old Pacquiao, holder of eight world titles in eight weight classes.
“I can’t wait to settle the issue with him once and for all so we will know who is the better fighter.”
Pacquiao didn’t say it but he believes that coronation night is 12 days from now.