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 MANILA -- A retaliation is coming. Expect it to come hard.
International boxing star Manny Pacquiao is seriously considering pressing charges against Floyd Mayweather, Sr. for insinuating that the Filipino fighter is using steroids to enhance his performance inside the ring.
“We’re thinking of suing him (Mayweather) for what he said,” Pacquiao said in a report posted on Philstar.com.
The pound-for-pound king said he has already instructed his lawyer, Jeng Gacal, to study any possible legal action they can take against Mayweather Sr.
Mayweather Sr. is the father of former top pound-for-pound boxer Floyd Jr., who is set to face Pacquiao nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
Mayweather Sr., who trained British boxer Ricky Hatton for the Pacquiao fight last May, claimed that the Filipino champ may have been on the “juice". "In my honest opinion, I believe that he's on some type of supplements," Floyd Sr. told Michigan's Grand Rapids Press. "I think they're pushing Pacquiao too much -- even if he's got steroids in his body."
Pacquiao, however, denied the claim made by Mayweather Sr.
"Maybe all of them -- they're using the steroids, and not me," Pacquiao said in a report by FanHouse.com. "You know what? I don't even know what a steroid is. I've never done that."
Former world champion Gerry Peñalosa meanwhile came to Pacquiao’s rescue, saying that Mayweather Sr. merely saw the People’s Champ as a threat against his son.
“Hindi naman si Manny ang makakalaban ni Floyd Mayweather Jr. sa Sept. 20 (Sept. 19 in the US) pero siya ang nakakatikim ng isang matinding banat sapagkat siya ang nakikita ng ama na seryosong banta sa kasikatan ng anak magmula ng bumalik ito sa retirement,” said Peñalosa in his article posted on PhilBoxing.com.
Peñalosa recalled Mayweather Sr.’s dispute with trainer Freddie Roach during the build up of the Pacquiao-Hatton fight.
“Matatandaang ang amang Mayweather ay nagpahayag din noon na siya ay mas magaling na trainer kaysa kay Freddie Roach subalit ito ay napahiya sa pamamagitan ng sensational na pagtalo ni Manny sa kanyang inaalagaang boxer na si Hatton,” said Peñalosa.
Roach earlier said Floyd Sr. is just bitter over his ward’s victories, especially over Hatton.
“Steroids? Where in the hell did that come from? You know, these guys, they had to come up with a reason why they lost. They lost because [Floyd Sr.] sucks as a trainer and I had the better fighter,” said Roach.
Peñalosa said Team Pacquiao’s planned training in Baguio City will be good for his comrade, who is preparing for the Miguel Cotto fight on November 14.
“Baguio City, Philippines is a good training area. The altitude and the climate are ideal and the place is far from fans’ distraction so it can give the men the opportunity to focus on Manny’s training regimen,” he said.
He added that Pacquiao will again probably push himself to his limits as he expects a tough match against the Puerto Rican champion.
“Any boxer cannot underestimate the man who has stopped Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, Paul Malignagi and the recent one where he, Miguel Cotto, retained his title via a split decision, Joshua Clottey,” said Peñalosa.
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