Bad omen: Pacquiao beginning to believe his hype

"I've been under pressure and tough conditions before, The training is going good..." so declared Manny Pacquiao. It's time to wake up, unlike my other half-crazy Filipino brothers I'd say read between the lines and notice that Pac is on a danger zone.

This is the first time that I've read Freddie Roach really concerned about the training camp. The "worst-ever" training camp as he further alludes to it. Too many bumps along the way for this one, Pacquiao skipping his customary roadwork for basketball then injuring his heel that further derailed the practices... The supposed to be closed door practices which inexplicably, became open to the press and various other friends and acquaintances. Pacquiao holding some small concert for Michael Koncz. Manny skipping practice for a rendezvous with the President (Philippines). Him skipping practice anew to guest in a show (video embed above) and raise some politicians hands in another. It seems his recent domination of his earlier opponents have gotten to his head, no longer focused as his earlier versions have been. This is no longer the Pacquiao that is bent on getting higher. This is Pacquiao the rockstar.

As a fan I'm concerned with this happy-go-lucky attitude. Boxing has been a punishing sport. It is not basketball where in you can relax for three quarters and mount a big comeback. Punches make a toll on your body and if your not trained well enough could knock you out or damage you forever and worst kill you. I remember this same kind of laid back attitude in Lennox Lewis when he skipped training in favor of a movie. The result? An embarrassing KO to 15-to-1 underdog Hashim Rahman in the fifth round. I've read of a similar incident when Muhammad Ali KO'd Sonny Liston in the very first round. Sonny Liston was very much out of shape after the first schedule of their rematch was postponed six months when Ali needed emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia.

One thing that bothers me is the report that sparring against the lumbering Medina, Pacquiao looked anything but sharp. The report adds: "On several occasions he allowed Medina to pound him against the ropes. Pacquiao showed flashes of his lightning quickness, but either he was just getting warmed up or he wasn’t taking this too seriously."

Michael Medina was on the undercard of the Pacquiao-Clottey fight. He was totally outclassed by John Duddy. A 100% focused Pacquiao could have easily smoked the guy out instead he allowes the guy to pound him? Manny wasn't any sharper on his next sparring partner Amir Khan as reported: "On numerous occasions, Khan beat Pacquiao to the punch with blistering combinations. At times, Pacquiao held his hands down and he kept trying to adjust his protective headgear. He clearly didn’t look 100 percent. Midway in their third round, the two went at each other for about 40 seconds of pure, scintillating action. But when the four rounds were up, it was clear that Khan got the better of the exchanges". Khan have been Manny's understudy for a long time. So further puts doubt on Manny's abilities it's either Khan is fast gaining on Manny or it's Pac on the decline. The last part scares me more. Manny on the decline against a fighter that has nothing to lose and every thing to gain. A fighter who is the biggest that Pac will ever face in his career. Margarito gains everything with a win and Manny loses so much with a loss to the underdog.

A 100% Pacquiao could win easily. A well-trained Pacquiao wouldn't leave any doubt on his fans mind. A focused Pacquiao makes impossible odds possible. Let's hope he doesn't make anymore monkey business out of this. On Nov. 13 (14 in Manila) judgement will come. Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best for Manny.

Pacquiao needs to get back to his old self and focus, not believe in his own hype that he can win all his fights. Boxing is a different animal one punch could very well end everything he's build for.


Sources:
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/204533/roach-pacquiao-having-worst-ever-training-camp
http://www.ringtv.com/blog/2450/pacquiao_sluggish_for_final_day_of_training_in_philippines/

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.

Money vs. Manny in 2010 a NEAR reality?

Less than two days in the aftermath of Pacquiao's brilliant demolition job of Cotto there has been an insatiable clamor for the much awaited mega-fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather. There are already reports of Golden Boy promotions, through Richard Schaefer, trying to reach Bob Arum, Pacquiao's own promoter, to discuss details of an inevitable showdown. The talks could be dirty, as both fighters wants all the greens for himself and this talk could be longer than expected.

What we should be happy about is the realization of both fighters that this fight can't be set aside. It's a validation of who the best pound for pound kingpin really is. For Mayweather even more, since he defeated a percieved weaker opponent (in Marquez, a guy older, smaller and slower than him) and has been inactive for more than a year in such time Pacquiao rose to prominence beating opponents that Mayweather himself fought to a much brutal ending.

Mayweather beat Oscar in a unanimous decision, Paquiao made Dela Hoya quit his stool in round 8.

Mayweather knocked out Hatton in round 10, Pacquiao made Hatton kiss the canvass in 2 rounds only.

Mayweather retired after hearing clamors of him matching up with Miguel Cotto, Paquiao won over Cotto via TKO 55 seconds into the 12th round.

It would be a great match one a brilliant defender, the other a war machine ready for battle with loads of firepower. “The world is talking about this fight. Everyone wants to see it. I’ve never seen anything like it.” said Schaefer.

It is a fight 20 or more years in the making. A fight that could be comparable to Hagler vs. Sugar Ray. We're very lucky living in this generation if the fight pushes through.

This early Mayweather is fully advertising his brags: "The world is much more intrigued by the thought of someone fighting me who can beat me,” he said. “That is what everyone wants to see and the boxing world is trying to find that guy. Manny Pacquaio's people have done a good job of creating an image of him to be this unbelievable fighter and now the so-called guy to beat me. But like all the rest, he's not the one. There is boxing and then there is me. The rest are just falling in line behind me or are trying to get in line to fight me. And that includes Manny Pacquiao, too.”

But it is undeniable that Pacquiao has closed the gap, or even surpassed him looking at the results of his recent fights, devastating in fashion. Boxers can yelp all they want but the decision really is fought in the ring.

And that is what the world is waiting.

The best is yet to come.


* Picture used is an image circulating in the web, no copyright infringement intended. Quotes used are from ringtv.com

Manny Pacquiao undoubtedly is pound for pound best

After brutalizing Cotto, a fighter most experts think was the reason Mayweather Jr. retired in the first place, Pacquiao secured his claim to the pound for pound title.

Pacquiao seemed to start slow in the first round, maybe getting the feel of the fight and wondering how brutal Cotto's famed body shots were before risking his own shots... then the barrage became relentless, flooring Cotto in the third and in the fourth most die hards knew it was a matter of time before the end. It came 55 seconds coming into the 12th that Referee Bayless put a halt on the battery Cotto had to accept.

Now you have to wonder how good Mayweather is compared to Pacquiao, Floyd was coming off a smooth victory over a man older than him, smaller than him, lighter than him and yet he only floored Marquez once. Pacquiao on the other hand floored a naturally bigger, younger and supposed to be stronger fighter of the two and pummeled him into submission.

After this bout I believe Pacquiao have secured his level above Mayweather and if Floyd wants another piece of that claim then he must outdo Pacquiao or get a piece of the man to settle the dispute once and for all.

Question is after Cotto got into submission does Floyd have the balls to follow suit?

* Picture used is circulated in the web, no copyright infringement intended.