Mike Tyson: Manny Pacquiao is not yet finished

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Mike Tyson: Manny Pacquiao is not yet finished

Former world heavyweight champion “Iron” Mike Tyson still has faith in Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao, saying the “Pacman” is not yet finished as a top-level boxer and a pay-per-view draw.

In a wide-ranging interview with On the Ropes Boxing Radio, Tyson was asked how Pacquiao can rebound from his shocking knockout loss at the hands of Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez.

“Well, Pacquiao is back. You know why he’s back? Because he fights Brandon Rios, and he sells the place out – he is back,” Tyson said.

Pacquiao will take on Rios, a hard-hitting former world lightweight champion, this November in Macau.

“When you’re not back is when you’re finished, and nobody wants to see your face no more,” Tyson explained. “(When) they don’t want to see you in an arena sitting down, that’s when you’re really finished.”

But Tyson believes that as long as Pacquiao remains a box office draw, then he’s not finished as a boxer.

“He’s not finished, he’s never really been finished. He’s a mega-star of boxing, and one defeat like that is not gonna finish him,” said Tyson, who has also experienced a stunning stoppage loss when he was knocked out by Buster Doughlas in 1990.

“(Pacquiao) can get knocked out two more times and not be finished,” said Tyson. “He’s not that kind of fighter. He’s the kind of fighter people will always want to see, because he gives people hope. He gives nations hope.”

“They will always believe in guys like that, and those guys are never really finished.”

Tyson said he believes “one hundred percent” that Pacquiao can vault himself back to the top of the boxing world.

“I have faith in Pacquiao, and I hope he has faith in himself,” said the man known as “Iron Mike.” “I have a lot of faith and hope in him.”