By CARLO ANOLIN
Manny Pacquiao traded stinging ‘jabs’ with legendary rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. once more during the RIZIN 38 press conference Saturday, Sept. 24, in Saitama Japan.
After being introduced to the press, which was met by a round of applause, a smiling Pacquiao revealed that he was there to support Japanese boxer Mikuru Asakura, who sought advice and train with the only eight-division world boxing champion.
When asked about the talk about being the “best ever” boxer out there, the two sporting icons had a few exchange of words.
“He’s older than me. I’m still young so…,” said the 42-year-old Pacquiao with a chuckle. “What I have done and accomplished in boxing is one of a kind. To win [titles in ]eight different weight divisions is not easy. That is a prestigious accomplishment is boxing.
“I’m not trying to boast about what I’ve accomplished in life, I’m just saying this to repeat, [in case] they might forget that accomplishment.”
Pacquiao added that being the “greatest” boxer in the world meant being compassionate towards other people and helpful to those in need and someone who has humility.
When it was Mayweather’s turn though, the unbeaten American boxer insisted that he is indeed the “only best” in the scene while putting some credit to Pacquiao’s achievement, saying that he’s already part of Hall of Fame in the future.
“I’m not here to talk about your personal life, when we talk about you know what’s going on in the squared circle, I’m the best,” said Mayweather, who has a professional record of 50 wins built on 27 knockouts.
“No matter how you rate it, no matter how you cut it, no matter how you slice it, if you go back a hundred years, 300 years back, all the year to now, there’s only one best, and that’s Floyd Mayweather.”
