By Jake Donovan
Hours after Floyd Mayweather chose a satellite radio host as his latest target for verbal warfare, pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao enjoyed a far more civil moment in the spotlight while making his 5th appearance on the hit late night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Pacquiao’s frequenting the show has become a pre-fight tradition dating back to his November ’09 catchweight showdown with Miguel Cotto. Thursday night marked the two-year anniversary of that appearance, which came 11 days before Pacquiao became the first fighter in boxing history to win titles in seven weight classes after stopping Cotto in the 12th and final round.
A ten-fight win streak had preceded the appearance, but Pacquiao – as superstitious as they come – and his handlers decided to turn the event into a tradition. He would appear again ahead of fights with Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley and now again ahead of next Saturday’s showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez, his third fight against the legendary Mexican which takes place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, to air live on HBO PPV.
For the moment, Pacquiao is 4-0 (1KO) following appearances on the talk show, a stat to which he playfully credited Kimmel with an assist.
“I feel like you’re lucky,” Pacquiao said to the award-winning talk-show host, to which Kimmel quipped, “I’m like your lucky rabbit’s foot.”
The two touched on a few boxing-related topics, including his fight next weekend as well as the one remaining fight to be made that has recently resurfaced in the headlines. Not mentioned on the show was Mayweather insisting that he plans to return on May 5 and that his handlers have indirectly targeted Pacquiao, even though never actually calling him by name.
Kimmel actually had a similar discussion was legendary comic Eddie Murphy – a longtime boxing fans - in a guest segment prior to Pacquiao’s appearance, and continued that conversation with Pacquiao asking bluntly why the fight has yet to happen.
“I don’t know what’s the reason,” Pacquaio responded. “But I’m ready to fight.”
A suggestion was floated by the talk-show host, which sounds great in theory but in reality will never be taken into consideration, insisting that to avoid further negotiations they just do a winner-take all fight. Pacquiao claimed to be up for such a scenario, but believes Mayweather would never go for it.
On the subject of a fight he actually has scheduled, Pacquiao explained the importance of fighting Marquez a third time, which comes at a maximum catchweight of 144 lb.
“I ask myself what I need to prove – and it’s that I won the fights,” Pacquiao says, in response to the controversy surrounding the outcome of their previous two fights.
Pacquiao scored three knockdowns in the opening round of their first fight, but Marquez battled all the way back to finish ahead on one scorecard and even on another to have the fight result in a split decision draw. The rematch was every bit as close, with Pacquiao scoring a 4th round knockdown en route to a narrow split decision win that many in the media felt should’ve went the other way.
A clip of Marquez and Pacquaio singing ‘La Bamba’ together during their summer press tour to hype of the fight showed the respect each has for the other, and that they are only rivals in the ring.
However, a picture of Marquez sporting a “I Beat Pacquiao Twice” t-shirt provided the necessary motivation for Pacquiao to pick up his game for this long-awaited third fight. When asked of his thoughts on Marquez in terms of greatness, Pacquiao paid his respect but also stopped short of declaring himself greater or making a prediction.
“He’s a greater fighter, but…” was the Filipino’s response before offering a long pause.
Also included on the show was a promotion for his new food line, Manny Pacquiao Broccoli, which he claims to grow on his own.
As has also become as much of a custom as his appearing on the show itself, Pacquiao ended his segment by singing a song. His past appearances have included his remake of the 80’s classic “Sometimes When We Touch,” as well as a duet with comedian/actor Will Ferrell as they covered John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
For reasons only Pacquiao and Kimmel can explain, the remake of choice for this episode turned out to be “How Deep Is Your Love,” recorded by The Bee Gees once exclusively for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.
As for Pacquiao’s version? Let’s just say boxing fans are looking forward to November 12 to watch him in something at which he excels.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.
