Pacquiao laughs off 'Afro-American challenge'

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/11/20/10/pacquiao-laughs-afro-american-challenge MANILA, Philippines – Newly-crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao laughed off a report that he has long been eluding African-American fighters. “Tayo naman ‘di tayo tanghalin na pound-for-pound king kung may pinipili tayong laban,” the 8-dvision world champion said in a press conference at the NAIA Terminal 2 on Saturday. (I wouldn’t be chosen pound-for-pound king if I have been cherry picking my opponents). Pacquiao issued his reaction after arriving from the US on Saturday following his conquest of Antonio Margarito of Mexico last Saturday (Sunday in Manila). The Filipino boxing hero said he has never backed down from any challenge and is willing to fight anyone. “Kahit sino, basta boksingero... Mosley, Mayweather (I’ll fight any boxer… even if it’s Shane Mosley or Floyd Mayweather Jr.),” said Pacquiao. Ultimate test Despite winning a record 8 world titles in 8 weight classes, a boxer has belittled Pacquiao for not fighting African-American boxers. American Bernard Hopkins, who was an undisputed middleweight champion for 10 years, said Pacquiao has never fought an African-American boxer in his storied career. “Maybe I'm biased because I'm black,” Hopkins said in Fanhouse.com. “But I do think that a fighter like the Ray Leonards or anyone like that would beat a guy if they come with their game.” Hopkins claimed Pacquiao has yet to get a taste of the usual fighting style of most African-American Bernard Hopkins boxers. He believes the Filipino champion will have problems dealing with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr. "That's why Floyd Mayweather would beat Manny Pacquiao because the styles that African-American fighters -- and I mean, black fighters from the streets or the inner cities -- would be successful," said Hopkins. Pacquiao has fought non-American black fighters like Ghanaian Joshua Clottey and South African Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, but Hopkins said they don’t fight like African-Americans do. Nonsense The Filipino’s business adviser, Michael Koncz, however, scoffed at Hopkin's statements. "I would say to hell with all of those guys who are talking," he said Koncz. " All that we care about is what fighter has a following. When these fighters that are crying about fighting Manny develop a following, and can prove to us, statistically, that it's economically feasible, then we will have no problem fighting them. But until then, they can cry all that they want." Promoters have already tried arranging a fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather. However, the efforts were in vain due to the American's unusual demands. “Manny has done more than anybody in boxing than anybody has ever imagined. He has the right to select his opponents. These black fighters, you know, we're not prejudiced. We don't care if they're black, green or blue,” said Koncz. Michael Koncz 'Living in the past' An American sports analyst, meanwhile, said Hopkins is “living in the past” with his claims. Analyst Chris Broussard said in ESPN’s First Take program cited that there haven’t been a lot of black fighters in the weight classes dominated by Pacquiao for most of his career. “Yeah, blacks dominated boxing in the 70's the 80's, maybe the 90's. But now you got poor fighters raised in Europe in tough circumstances coming up every year, beating black fighters,” he said. He pointed out that Hopkins himself was beaten by Joe Calzaghe, a British boxer. “Hispanics, Mexican guys whatever the color, who were raised in tough situations are coming up, and blacks aren't dominating the sport as much,” said Broussard. "But beyond that, we all want to see him fight Floyd Mayweaher," he said. "And I don't think that he's the one (Pacquiao) who's ducking the fight. It's Mayweather, not Pacquiao." – Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS.com