Manny Pacquiao has stepped into the ongoing feud between Roy Jones Jr. and Floyd Mayweather, calling for unity and respect among boxers. The Filipino boxing legend shared his thoughts in a recent interview, rejecting comparisons and urging fighters to focus on inspiring fans.
The dispute kicked off when Roy Jones Jr. praised Sugar Ray Leonard over Floyd Mayweather on the All the Smoke Fight podcast. Jones stated, "Floyd is not nearly as mean as Sugar...Sugar is a dog." Mayweather retaliated by sharing multiple knockout clips of Jones on social media.
Pacquiao, known for his diplomatic approach, shared his perspective in an interview with Fight Hype:
"I don't like to (compare)...what we have done...as long as we accomplish something that inspires the boxing fans."
The former eight-division world champion expressed his discomfort with ranking fighters, saying, "I don't like that." He believes such comparisons take away from the sport's essence.
Pacquiao and Mayweather have a history, having faced each other in 2015 in what became the highest-grossing pay-per-view event in boxing history. Despite their rivalry, Pacquiao's focus remains on family, faith, and philanthropy.
In contrast to Mayweather's flashy lifestyle, Pacquiao has previously commented on his former opponent's materialism:
"I pity him."
Pacquiao explained that he sees Mayweather as choosing wealth over spiritual richness.
At 46, Pacquiao isn't done with the ring yet. He's gearing up for a comeback fight against Mario Barrios, scheduled for July 19, 2025.
Throughout his career and now in retirement, Pacquiao has served as a bridge between boxing's past and future. He continues to be a guiding voice in the sport's ongoing legacy, reinforcing the importance of inspiring fans and maintaining spiritual and philanthropic values over material pursuits.
