When ‘Money’ meets Manny
May 2 may well be a national holiday in the Philippines when Manny
Pacquiao fights the greatest battle of his life against the undefeated Floyd
“Money” Mayweather. As in other Pacquiao fights, expect even the criminals to
take a pause to watch our national pride in action.
Even among Mexicans whose fighters Pacquiao defeated, the Filipino is an
overwhelming favorite against the flamboyant American fighter who is 47-0 going
into what could be a trilogy rivalling the classic Ali-Frazier series.
And even among Americans, Pacquiao counts with many of followers who
appreciate that he puts everything on the line every time he steps into the
ring. Nope, unlike the all-too-defensive fighter Mayweather, the only running
Pacquiao would do is to chase after the scampering American.
But don’t blame Mayweather if he once again puts on his running shoes.
He is not likely to engage Pacquiao in a toe-to-toe donnybrook because the
Filipino has developed knockout punches in both hands.
However, what makes Pacquiao dangerous for Mayweather is not because he
has hammers for fists, but because he always fights like a wounded tiger – fierce
and menacing—even if he gets careless once in a while, like what
happened in his knockout loss to Juan Marquez.
In 1997, a sportswriter tagged the up-and-coming Pacquio as a “Diamond
in the Rough” with the bold prophecy that he would one day become world
champion.
That's what Pacquiao did – in a record-setting eight divisions, a feat
that may never be equaled in boxing history. Indeed, the raw gem rock has been
polished into a most brilliant diamond and win or lose in this Mayweather
fight, Pacquiao’s luster as a boxer is assured.
In fact, Pacquiao's place in the Boxing Hall of Fame is already
secure as he is this early being spoken of in the same vein as the
self-proclaimed “greatest of all time” Muhammad Ali. –END-
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