Manny Pacquiao Latest Update

Manny Pacquiao, most exciting boxer on the planet, writes a regular column at PhilBoxing and Abante to express his own thoughts and to be able to communicate to his fans worldwide.

Roach, the pound-for-pound king’s Los Angeles-based trainer, can’t seem to reach his fighter in the Philippines even though his next fight -– against Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas –- is only 10 weeks away.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Pacquiao 2009 vs. Pacquiao 2008

"The People's Champ's" retirement from boxing and entry into Philippine politics purvey a sad state for many boxing and sports fans who want to see Pacquiao's exciting fights beyond 2009. What could be a fitting eulogy for a heroic boxing career? Of one who aspires towards statesmanship?

The conveyance of the great George Washington before his death in 1799:

"I leave you with undefiled hands, an uncorrupted heart, and with ardent vows to heaven for the welfare and happiness of that country in which I and my forefathers to the third or fourth progenitor drew our first breath."

In 2010, Pacman is no more. So we anticipate. The Tazmanian Devil reverts back permanently to simply Manny Pacquiao. A return to roots, away from brutal sport, to the embrace of countrymen.

While Pacquiao was already an established and elite boxer in 2008, it was not until Manny's demolition of the (aged) Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya that etched Pacquiao in the minds of international mainstream and casual sports observers.

Prior to that fight, many - actually most - dismissed Pacman as a Kamikaze fighter on a suicide route towards an aircraft carrier base. Low and behold, it turns out that the P-43 single engine plane lodged an atomic bomb on that floating carrier base before speeding away.

2008 as Pacmania's Summit (thus far)

2008 is Pacquiao's summit - evoking comparisons to boxing immortal Henry Armstrong is not enough merely to think of it as an "accompplishment." The matter should be downright jaw dropping. Yes, Michael Jordan's two "3-peat" championships with the Chicago Bulls should not be degraded as some "accomplishment."

Or Lance Armstrong's ungodly tear on cycling despite battling cancer.

How will 2009 compare to 2008 for Manny? The answer of course depends on how 2009 shapes up for the Pacman. Of critical importance is his ability to continue to be successful in the ring given (presumably) larger opponents.

In the words of hall of fame football coach Vince Lombardi, "Live as if you were living already for the second time and as if you had acted the first time as wrongly as you are about to act now!"

Come to think of it, that thinking evokes of Nietzsche.

Critics, Crickets

A mere two years ago, the American and Philippine press exploited the (perceived) personal shortcomings of Manny Pacquiao. Critique of a world class athlete who has helped his community and country.

There is a sort of aloofness, and perhaps cruelty (intended or otherwise), in serving as a critic to a gentleman who has good intentions and who has attained a high level of station.

A baker has worked tirelessly in mastering his craft and in serving his customers superior food products and services. Because of his value to the organization, and his dedication and service, management has made him the head chef in a few short years.

Former peers, observers, kitchen workers, and other hotel personnel begin to dish out snipes at the hard-working chef, now-considered to be "obsessive compulsive," "anal-retentive," and a perfectionist - in the pejorative sense of the word.

"Be careful when he's around, or he'll snap at you." The vast majority of critics, perhaps each one, however, are unfamiliar with being the main guy himself - of what it is like being the top dog.

They have not, nor will not, undergo the tremendous work ethic and discipline necessary, day in and day out, to reach a lofty height of performance or skill level. Such is the nature of observation - the guy from the stands, content with popcorn and coke.

"Yes, Manny is a good boxer, maybe a great boxer. Will he finally be affected by all the late night partying and drinking? Does he have gambling debts? Is (supposed) womanizing being a distraction? Will the entertainment business cause his downfall? Does he still have the hunger? Will all the people surrounding and admiring him cause him to become complacent?"

Pacman resoundingly answered those questions with a stellar 2008.

Recap

His last 6 fights have involved victories over the following opponents:

Oscar de la Hoya - TKO (2008)
David Diaz - KO (2008)
Juan Manuel Marquez - Split Decision (2008)
Marco Antonio Barrera - Unanimous Decision (2007)
Jorge Solis - KO (2007)
Erik Morales - KO (2006)

As obvious to fight fans, Manny is on a historic tear and brings with him plenty of momentum as he closes out his career (unfortunately, boxing fans are likely to see a retired Manny as 2010 rolls around).

In a eulogy for Washington by close associate and fellow Continental army officer Henry Lee:

"First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate and sincere— uniform, dignified and commanding—his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting. . . . Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues. . . . Such was the man for whom our nation mourns."

The uneducated, the illiterate, the poverty stricken whose dire circumstances from the forgotten unknowns of the world, from which Manny hails from, may be unable to fully verbally express their affection for Manny. His retirement may evoke just as sincere of an emotion. Thus bringing about urgency in a prospective final year of prize fighting.


Shane Mosley (R) defeats Antonio Margarito - Mark Terrill / AP

What will 2009 bring for Pacfans and boxing fans?

May 2nd brings about a fight with junior welterweight champion Ricky "the Hitman" Hatton, a fight which Manny is favored to win. Assuming he wins that fight, boxing fans could see two more (and perhaps two last) fights in 2009.

One fight can occur in the September timeframe and yet another in December.

After Hatton, Mosley / Cotto / Valero / Marquez III / Mayweather, Jr. stand in the wings?

Welterweights Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto, fresh off impressive victories themselves, are interested in clashing with Pacquiao. Make no mistake, these two fighters are bigger than Manny. They are both solid punchers. And unlike de la Hoya this past December, they can quickly pull that jab, body punch, and hook triggers.

With Top Rank's Bob Arum also acting as Cotto's promoter, Pacquiao vs. Cotto could happen in September. While Manny has the clear advantage in speed, movement and footwork, Cotto also has a distinct advantage in power, brute force, and ring experience with much more sizeable fighters such as Antonio Margarito.

Cotto represents a larger Ricky Hatton, and possesses sound technical boxing skills. Certainly, Manny can dart in and out of Cotto's range - and presumably, the Puerto Rican rolls forward like a German Panzer tank - with the constant threat of vicious head or body shots from Cotto.

A reasonable scenario is Manny's inability to knock out Cotto with a single punch or even effective combination. Cotto, however, with well placed, timed, and unforeseen artillery shots can stagger Manny, and seriously so if Pacman is caught by the ropes.

Fans are left to ask themselves: "Which is more impressive? Victories over Marquez, Diaz, and de la Hoya (in 2008)? Or victories over Hatton, Cotto, and Valero or Mosley (in 2009)?

Tough prospects with Mosley or Cotto

As of February, Edwin Valero seems more of a plausible opponent for Pacman than Mosley, whose size, power and speed are likely to cause the influential Freddie Roach to discourage this fight. Given Mosley's stage of his career, he is more of a super welterweight fighter than a junior welterweight fighter.

Upon close study of fight insinuations thus far, Bob Arum may likely be discouraging a Mosley fight as well. Manny is unlikely to hold any significant advantage over Sugar Shane Mosley, except for slight advantages in speed, movement, and footwork. Mosley, however, delivers tremendous punching power and hand speed, as well as, possesses superior grappling, holding, and rough housing abilities.


Miguel Cotto (R) punches Michael Jennings - Mike Segar / Reuters

Is Mayweather lurking around?

Hatton, Cotto, and Valero seem to be on par with Manny's fights with Marquez, Diaz, and de la Hoya in 2008. The X factor here is whether or not Floyd Mayweather Jr. returns to the ring and accepts Manny Pacquiao's challenge.

Such a showdown would clearly be the fight of the decade - much like Tyson vs. Holyfield or Oscar de la Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad in the 1990s. For now, we leave the former pound for pound champion Mayweather out of the picture - he is after all retired, and entitled to a well deserved respite.

For Pacquiao to top his 2008 performance, in which he earned universal Fighter of the Year honors, he will have to beat either Mosley or Mayweather. The former is an unlikely opponent, unless Manny disposes of Hatton and Cotto with relative ease. And Pretty Boy has stated his commitment to retirement.

And yet still, a victory by Juan Manuel Marquez over Juan Diaz on February 28 can undoubtedly renew calls for a Pacquiao vs. Marquez III, especially by Marquez followers.

To be sure, no critics here. We shall see. Fighters speak for themselves.

We can search for parallelism between retirement and death. Analogy. Jordan was never the same with the Wizards as when he was with the Bulls. Larry Bird the coach is not the same as Bird, the mythical leader on the court.

Fisher Ames' eulogy in 1800 of General Washington eloquently provided:

"We have seen him display as much valor as gives fame to heroes, and as consummate prudence as insures success to valor; fearless of dangers that were personal to him, hesitating and cautious when they affected his country; preferring fame before safety or repose, and duty before fame. . . . ."

Few men can attach the same attributes to self. Those that do, we look up to as models for our own circumstances.

Given Manny Pacquiao's predilection, character, and nature anything might be possible after all. Duty before all else. In reference to an earlier allusion to Sugar Shane Mosley. Might it be suicidal? Might it be a clawing of yet another peak, of lacking air and harsh conditions?

Pacquiao Examiner

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