Pacquiao vs. Rios: Pacman To Wear Rosary Again at Fight Night; Encourages Everyone To Forgive and Move on After Scuffle
Manny Pacquiao will reportedly enter the ring with a 'Rosary' around his neck for the first time in over a year since his conversion from a Roman Catholic to a 'Born Again' Christian, a local newspaper reported on Thursday.
Pacquiao, who is set to battle Brandon Rios for the vacant WBO International Welterweight Championship on November 23 at Venetian Macao in Macau, China, will wear the famous 'Rosary' he had during memorable fights with Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya and the first three fights with Juan Manuel Marquez.
Last year, Pacquiao decided not to wear anymore the Rosary following his conversion to Born Again Christianity. Many Roman Catholics, including Pacman's mother, in the Philippines were upset seeing their boxing idol abandoning his faith on Virgin Mary.
They even believed that Pacquiao's setbacks at the hands of Timothy Bradley (Split Decision) and Marquez (Sixth Round TKO loss) were punishments by God.
So far there isn't yet confirmation from Pacquiao's camp, but it will be interesting to see Pacman having his Rosary again to guide him in perhaps the toughest he will ever have since his embarrassing loss to Marquez last December.
Please Forgive Roach
Pacquiao is apparently not affected at all by the scuffle involving his trainer, Freddie Roach, and key personnel in Rios' camp last Wednesday. Things went out of hands when Roach engaged in a nasty rumble with Robert Garcia, Alex Ariza and several staffs of Rios' camp.
During Wednesday's press conference, the eight-division world champion insisted that he isn't bothered by the altercation between his camp and Rios' training staff, stressing that it's going to be business as usual.
"I have nothing to say. What happened today doesn't bother me. Business as usual," Pacquiao said during the press conference.
Pacquiao even encouraged Roach and everyone to forgive and forget everything because it's just sports.
He even used a popular passage in the Bible "Forgive as the lord forgives you" to make a point that there's nothing personal in his upcoming showdown with Rios.
Pacquiao vs. Rios fight will be broadcasted on Saturday on HBO Pay-per-View.