Manny Pacquiao's Counter-Punch: 'Maybe They're Using Steroids'

Manny Pacquiao's Counter-Punch: 'Maybe They're Using Steroids' Posted Sep 15, 2009 10:13PM By Lem Satterfield (RSS feed) Filed Under: WBO, HBO, FanHouse Exclusive Email Print Share Text SizeAAA Manny PacquiaoHours before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at San Diego's PETCO Park before the Padres' baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, reigning Fighter Of The Year, Manny Pacquiao, directed a vocal counter-punch at trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. "Maybe all of them -- they're using the steroids, and not me," said Pacquiao, responding to -- and hearing for the first time -- implications by Floyd Sr. that he might have used steroids. "You know what? I don't even know what a steroid is," said Pacquiao. "I've never done that." Floyd Mayweather Sr., whose son, Floyd Jr., is an undefeated six-time champion over five weight classes, told Michigan's Grand Rapids Press "I think they're pushing Pacquiao too much -- even if he's got 'roids in his body." "In my honest opinion, I believe that he's on some type of supplements," said Floyd Mayweather Sr. "I don't think that he can beat Little Floyd with steroids in him or not. He don't have that kind of talent or that kind of skill -- whatever he has in him.""Floyd Mayweather was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter before, but not any more. I'm not going to say that about myself. I'll leave that up to the fans and someone else to decide." -- Manny Pacquiao Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 knockouts) will take on Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at a catchweight of 144 pounds. Marquez has a loss and a draw against Pacquiao, who has stopped both Oscar De La Hoya and former champion Ricky Hatton -- fighters Mayweather defeated by decision and 10th-round knockout, respectively, before retiring 21 months ago. Mayweather, whose fight opposite Marquez is his comeback bout, insists that he still should be considered boxing's best fighter, pound-for-pound, upon his return. But Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), a Filipino who will go after the World Boxing Organization welterweight (147 pounds) title owned by Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) on Nov. 14, begs to differ. "Floyd Mayweather was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter before, but not any more," said Pacquiao, who is trained by Freddie Roach. "I'm not going to say that about myself. I'll leave that up to the fans and someone else to decide." Pacquiao spent some time earlier this month filming a movie in his native Philippines in which he plays a super hero named Wambat Man, whose powers are a combination of those of Superman and Spiderman. Pacquiao said that he will require all of his skills against Cotto, whom he called "a very good fighter," adding, "I'm not going underestimate him."