Pacquiao, who left Sunday night for New York to receive the distinction of being the Asia Game Changer for 2015, appeared overwhelmed by the abundant superlatives credited to him by the Asia Society, which bestowed him the honor “for using his sport, and his star power, as forces for good”.
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Changing boxing stables proved to be a wise decision for the boxer from Britain, who has won five matches in succession.
“It (the award) means I am sort of a superhero. I am but a man blessed by God who has answered His call to make a difference in people’s lives”, he said.
Pacquiao will be honored by the society as the Asia Game Changer of the Year.
He said: “If you ask me, of course, I want a rematch”.
Mr. Pacquiao is the second victor in the award’s history after Alibaba Chief Executive Officer Jack Massachusetts was named Asia Game Changer in 2014.
Khan, 28, was desperate to fight Mayweather before he hung up his gloves, with his last appearance in the ring coming against Andre Berto last month instead.
“For this year, after a thorough selection process, “[Manny Pacquiao] rose to the top of the list”, Asia Society President Josette Sheeran said. Pacquiao hasn’t been in the ring since he lost to Mayweather earlier in the year, but he remains a massive draw and for Khan, it’d be a huge opportunity to prove he can mix it with elite guys after making solid progress in his previous three outings.
“More than twenty years na ako sa boxing”.
Mayweather hasn’t said anything about wanting to fight Pacquiao again, but if Arum tells the media that they’re willing to accept a 70-30 or 80-20 cut of the financial pie, I think Mayweather would be willing to come out of retirement to scoop up another $100-150 million.
“No, I did not talk to him [Mayweather]”.
“Right now, I can say that both are my priorities”.
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“He kept moving around and didn’t want to fight toe to toe with me, exchanging punches”, Pacquiao said Monday.
