After 2012 concluded many wondered what Manny Pacquiao had left in the tank after suffering a pair of losses.
His first loss to Timothy Bradley was as controversial of a decisions that has taken place in recent memory, as the majority of press and fans worldwide thought that Pacquiao easily won the fight.
“The loss I suffered to Tim Bradley I do not consider a loss,” Pacquiao said. “I accept the decision of the judges because that is part of boxing, but I felt I won that fight without a doubt.”
Pacquiao made sure to make the best of his second chance at Bradley when they fought again in 2014.
“When I fought Bradley in the rematch I made sure to fight all out for the full 12 rounds,” Pacquiao said. “I wanted my world title belt back and I wanted to prove I was the better fighter.”
Pacquiao’s loss to Juan Manuel Marquez was as convincing as a loss as they come, as Pacquiao laid lying face down for around 20 seconds after getting caught with the perfect punch, resulting in a knockout loss.
“The lesson I learned from my loss to Juan Manuel Marquez was patience. I got too over anxious for the knockout when I had Marquez hurt,” Pacquiao said. “Knockouts should never be forced. I had Marquez badly hurt and on the ropes. When I heard the ten-second warning to end the round I thought I could finish him off with one last barrage of punches.
“I made a misstep and Marquez caught me with a perfect right counterpunch. He was the wrong man to make that kind of mistake against.”
Using that experience, Pacquiao said he’s learned to take his time more in the ring and let things flow more naturally.
“I have been more patient in my last three fights against Brandon Rios, Tim Bradley and Chris Algieri and I have won almost every round of each those fights while still giving the fans the action they have always expected from me,” he said. “In my last fight, against Algieri, I had six knockdowns and he was a runner. I think I have become a better fighter since my last loss.”
Time will tell if Pacquiao can practice that patience against Mayweather as the anticipation that’s built up over the years might be hard to keep his excitement contained.
And as he did against Marquez in their fourth bout, making a mistake like that could have him end up picking himself off the canvas if he isn’t careful with Mayweather, one of the best counter punchers the sport has ever seen.
Mayweather-Pacquiao: At Last, a special film presented by HBO Sports detailing the road to the most anticipated fight of this era, debuts Saturday, April 18 at 12:00 a.m. ET/PT on HBO.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao takes place Saturday, May 2 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas live on pay-per-view beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.
