BLACK FRIDAY: Pacquiao Jr. faces bare-knuckle for in U.S.

LOS ANGELES — Emmanuel Pacquiao Jr. believes that Floyd Mayweather may have realized one thing that made him say that his 19 September showdown with Emmanuel Sr. is just an exhibition and not a regular professional fight.

“Floyd wants it to be an exhibition because that 50 and 0 is a perfect record and he doesn’t want to risk it,” Pacquiao Jr. told DAILY TRIBUNE on Tuesday after another hard grind at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.

Several days ago, Mayweather spoke to a select group of media that his match with Pacquiao in September in Las Vegas is just an exhibition and not something that would reflect on their respective records.

Pacquiao Jr., 25, swears his father’s training clips and the fact the Hall of Famer has been more active in the professional scene the last ten years, might have convinced Mayweather that his unblemished mark could get stained.

“My dad has been more active than him and he’s probably a little worried with that perfect record. But we’ll see and people would love to see it more if it is a fight,” he said.

Pacquiao Jr., meanwhile, has officially closed out his training camp since his second professional bout — versus Darrick Gates of Montana — is happening this Friday at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula.

After getting a draw in his pro debut late last year, Pacquiao Jr. assured everyone that against gates, he would be coming up with a much better showing.

“I feel better for this than the previous. The previous was hard because I was expecting my daughter. For this one, I am a bit more relaxed. My baby’s healthy,” said Pacquiao Jr., who fought just days after his wife Carolina gave birth.

“This time I know what to expect. I will be more ready.:

Lead trainer Marvin Somodio echoed his fighter’s thoughts.

“We were surprised because there were so many people who came to see and support us. It was like a world championship fight,” Somodio said, hinting that Pacquiao Jr. was overwhelmed by the reception.

Still, Pacquiao Jr. admits being the son of a legendary fighter has its downsides as well apart from its perks.

“The pressure is there. The expectation of people. I (just) try my best to tune it out.”

He doesn’t mind being compared to his illustrious father but Pacquiao Jr. maintains that his decision to enter the pro scene is pure love for the sport.

“This is more than a hobby. Boxing has taught me discipline and humbled me. Lots of lessons learned in this sport.”

“I can’t say how long I am going to box. I am loving it, the training, the community. And I love what I do. It gives me a goal. It gives me something to look forward to, challenges me. Let’s see how far this goes.”

Gates is older by 11 years and has been through a lot being a many-time participant in bare knuckle boxing.

But Pacquiao Jr. is not bothered by his foe’s notoriety.

“I know I can win the fight. We worked so hard and my coaches put in a lot of effort. We did a lot of things differently for this fight.”