Pacman laughs off Floyd barb

MANILA, Philippines - It was a low blow delivered by the man who claims to be the best in the sport.

Freddie Roach took the cudgels for Manny Pacquiao who took a nasty verbal tirade from Floyd Mayweather Jr. a couple of days ago, saying it was “a really cheap low blow” and that people should “consider where it came from.”

Mayweather, the undefeated American who thinks he has all the money in the world, and refuses to fight Pacquiao, went beyond the the borders of professionalism when he called Pacquiao a “Pooch-ee-ow,” someone “who can’t speak no English.”

Mayweather also said Pacquiao “hasn’t seen a contract he didn’t like.”

Then he apologized for everything he said, for his words that were plastered all over the Internet the other day. Whether he was sincere with his apology, many people doubted.

“The only thing I want to say is, anybody who was offended by what I said the other day, I apologize as a man. I apologize. Forgive me for saying what I said. I was just having fun,” said Mayweather.

“I didn’t really mean it, nothing in a bad way. So let’s stay on this roller coaster ride and keep riding, baby. It’s all love.”

Pacquiao, who was on a press tour when he heard all about Mayweather’s flurry, yesterday thanked the flamboyant fighter for helping promote his upcoming fight with Antonio Margarito in Arlington, Texas.

“I’m happy that even Floyd Mayweather is helping in the publicity of my next fight,” said Pacquiao.

“Because of his attack on my dignity and by exposing his ignorance, people have given more notice to my fight,” added the gentleman from the Philippines, who also happens to be a congressman.

“Alam kong aalma ang maraming taong naapektuhan ng racial slurs ni Mayweather na nagpakita ng kawalanghiyaan niya sa sarili,” added Pacquiao, before issuing his condolences to the family of his promoter, Bob Arum.

The body of the 49-year-old son of the Top Rank chief had been recovered in the mountains of Seattle, more than five days after he had gone missing while hiking by himself.

“I share the grief of the Arum family,” said Pacquiao.

Abac Cordero, Philippine Star