“NO worries mate,’’ Manny Pacquiao said as he was asked to pose for cameras in front of the stunning Brisbane backdrop at the Kangaroo Point cliffs.
He stretched the thick muscles he’s relying on to beat Jeff Horn at Suncorp Stadium on July 2 and rolled his head a couple of times as though he was dodging the Brisbane boxer’s powerful right hand.
Pacquiao was surrounded by a large team of body guards and assistants as well as his wife, her sister and brother-in-law as he filmed a series of promotional clips for the big clash.
A fighter jet and a military helicopter flew above him as part of Brisbane’s Anzac Day commemoration.
Pacquiao poses in front of the Brisbane skyline. Picture: Peter WallisSource:News Corp Australia
It was suggested that they were also part of the security team for the world boxing champion, who is now a high-ranking Filipino senator, although Pacquiao’s fans would say he is in fact a one-man army, having made $ 500 million from boxing in the last 22 years.
The world champ spent a good chunk meeting fans in Brisbane and signing autographs on Tuesday.
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Wearing a T-shirt that proclaimed him an eight-division world champion, Pacquiao trotted up the Kangaroo Point stairs, had lunch at Eagle Pier, shadow-sparred at Southbank and strolled the Riverwalk at New Farm.
He was all smiles, even when it came to the serious business of defending his World Boxing Organization title against the undefeated Fighting Schoolteacher from Acacia Ridge.
Pacquiao poses for a selfie. Picture: Peter WallisSource:News Corp Australia
“I don’t like to boast myself,’’ said the man who will make at least $ 10 million win, lose or draw on July 2. “But people know my track record.’’
Asked what advantages he had over Horn he said simply: “Experience.’’
“Anything else?’’ he was asked.
“Yes,’’ he said, as the smile broadened across his face, “but like I say, I don’t like to boast myself.’’
He said he was thrilled to be fighting in Brisbane even though Tuesday, he said, was “very hot’’.
Pac-Man was restricted to light exercises. Picture: Peter WallisSource:News Corp Australia
Pacquiao’s minders hovered around him like the helicopter above, telling a film crew that Manny was not to spend too much time in the Queensland sun, that he needed water by his side at all times to stay hydrated, he was only going up the Kangaroo Point stairs once, and once only, and that he would not – repeat not – being doing any push-ups on uneven ground.
“We don’t want anything that will make Manny feel uncomfortable,’’ his manager Mike Koncz said.
Jeff Horn promises not to show Pacquiao the same consideration on July 2.
“If I can knock him out, I will,’’ Horn said.
Originally published as Huge edge Pac-Man holds over Horn
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