In defense of Pacquiao

I was watching ESPN last night, and on a certain segment Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s face flashed, and he was complaining, like how his victories wasn't recognized that if ever he and Manny stepped inside the ring and he beats Manny people would say "oh somebody else has done that in his career" and he has been talking about all that gibberish all the time he was on screen.

Yet when analyzes everything wasn't it the same thing happening to Pacquiao himself?

First David Diaz, when Pacquiao knocked the guy out nobody praised him they said it was an easy win... but looking back at it Pacquiao have been fighting all his life at the smallest of divisions. He just stepped in at Lightweight and demolished a champion he gets no credit for it. Maybe only here in the Philippines but the so called "scribes" not even one.

Then Oscar Dela Hoya came, many predicted it would be a walk in the park for Oscar... Even the Mexicans were blowing their top for Dela Hoya's choice of opponent. Pacquiao made Oscar quit his stool in eight. Stunning in fashion. Yet again everybody brushed their shoulder saying Oscar had seen better days and is at the end of the rope. Again no appreciation.

Ricky Hatton came, younger and hungrier, Pacquiao stunned him in two. The same geniuses called the guy overrated and damaged. Whoops Pacquiao's achievement again goes to waste.

Then came Miguel Cotto, a pure welterweight, younger than Pacquiao, presumably stronger... Pacquiao takes him head on and after the fight everybody was cheering yet some still tags Cotto damaged goods.

Even with all the un-appreciation Pacquiao never cried foul. And here is a guy who wouldn't relinquish his claim to the pound for pound title barking at the wrong tree, He and Pacquiao shares the same fate (of under appreciation).

The difference lies with their choice of opponent. Mayweather seemed to take on lesser or beatable adversaries and passed on the greater ones. The real risk he has taken was that match against Dela Hoya... Pacquaio took on odds and proximity in choosing his opponents. Like a ladder he went up one step at a time. Mayweather seem to be posturing tough on TV, but the real battle is not fought by words in boxing but by fists.

Let the ring be the judge.