Intro:

Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios appear at the Venetian Hotel casino in Macao on Tuesday (19 November) ahead of their welterweight bout on Saturday (November 23).

Script:

Filipino congressman and boxer Manny Pacquiao was greeted by throngs of screaming fans on Tuesday when he made his pre-fight appearance at the Venetian Hotel casino in Macao.

Pacquiao is coming off successive defeats against Timothy Bradley in a much-criticised judges' decision, and a knockout at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez.

Another defeat would put his career at a crossroads, and his trainer, Freddie Roach, has indicated that the "Pac-Man" will consider retirement if he can't handle Rios.

For Pacquiao, this marks his first fight outside the U.S. since his 12-round super featherweight unanimous decision victory over former world champion Oscar Larios in 2006.

Rios has only fought outside the U.S. twice, in México, winning a 10-round split decision over Ricardo Dominguez, and knocking out Daniel Valenzuela in the second round in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

The California resident brings a record of 31-1 draw and 1 defeat into the bout.

"I'm excited because I haven't fought since last year. I feel like I'm excited, hungry to fight again. To prove that I can still fight. It's been a while I didn't fight."

"That's why I'm so confident too, because I know I have great, smart people in my corner. Physically I'm going to be strong and I'm going to be ready because I've prepared myself to do whatever I have to do to win."