Manny Pacquiao feels longest break in career will benefit him against Brandon Rios

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Despite losing his last two fights heading into his Nov. 23 fight with Brandon Rios, Manny Pacquiao says he has pushed those defeats out of his mind and is as ready as ever for the task at hand.

Although one loss is enough to knock a fighter of his game, Pacquiao insists that he didn’t dwell much over the two losses and still feels on top of his game.

“My two previous fights, though both officially losses, have not had a huge impact on me,” Pacquiao explained.

With the overall feeling from media and fans that Pacquiao, not Timothy Bradley won their bout in June of last year, he said that’s why Bradley hasn’t gotten the respect a champion gets when they hold a title.

“I never felt that I lost that fight. The media and fans never considered that fight a real loss,” Pacquiao said. “Compare those feeling to the reaction Bradley faced from the same people. He certainly did not get treated like a conquering champion. Those are his words not mine. As for me, it did not really affect me and I was eager to move forward.”

As for his shocking knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao said that despite him fighting a great fight leading up to the KO, he presented Marquez with a perfect opening that we all know he took advantage of.

“And though he had his moments early in the fight, I knew I was beating him as the fight wore on. I felt the momentum coming my way and I was hurting him badly. I could see it and feel it. But I got careless,” He said. “ When I heard the sound that only 10 seconds remained in round six I could see he was teetering and I thought I could finish him right then or at least land one more major blow to give him and his trainer one more thing to think about between rounds. But I was reckless…careless…in my attack and Márquez landed the perfect shot.”

To better his chances at ending his two-fight losing streak Pacquiao said he went through a longer than usual training camp.

“To prepare for Brandon Rios I began my training camp four weeks earlier than I normally do—12 weeks total. The first six weeks were dedicated to conditioning and the last six weeks to boxing,” Pacquiao said.

With Pacquiao being out of the ring as long as he ever has in his over 18-year professional career, Pacquiao said the extra time has benefited him heading into the Rios bout.

“Taking the longest break of my professional career refreshed me physically and mentally. Though I always enjoy training for a fight, I was more eager than usual for this training camp,” He said.  “I missed boxing. I stayed in shape by playing basketball and volleyball daily and that was refreshing, too, because it gave me a healthy diversion from boxing. But now that I am finally back.”

That long break also gave Pacquiao a chance to enjoy the sport of boxing even more at a time that many have questioned if Pacquiao still has the desire to fight.

“The biggest lesson I have learned over the past year has not come from my losses to Bradley and Márquez. It’s come from being out of the ring for nearly one year. I have come to appreciate boxing even more. I enjoy it now more than ever. I love it and I can’t wait to return to the ring on November 23 to show everyone that Manny is back and ready to compete with anyone in the sport,” Pacquiao said.

To see more of the lead up to the big fight tune in to 24/7 Pacquiao/Rios Episode 2 when it debuts Saturday, Nov. 16 at 11:45 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. Pacquiao vs. Rios takes place Saturday, Nov. 23 live on pay-per-view beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.