Pacquiao: Greatest Filipino boxer of all time

By Al S. Mendoza

SOME people are destined for greatness.

There’s Michael Jordan in basketball (6 NBA championship rings), Michael Schumacher in Formula One (7 F1 titles) and Muhammad Ali in boxing (3-time world heavyweight champion).

How about Tiger Woods of golf?

He’s almost there. His 14 majors are still short of 5 to surpass the 18 majors of Jack Nicklaus. Only 32, and despite a surgically- -repaired knee, he’ll get there soon. Even Nicklaus himself had conceded that “Woods would soon break my record.”

And how about our very own Manny Pacquiao?

Like Tiger, he’s almost there, too.

With four titles in four weight divisions now tucked under his belt, Pacquiao can now be easily considered as made.

Pacquiao has won world titles in flyweight (112 lbs), bantamweight (122), super featherweight (130) and lightweight (135) divisions.

No Filipino has ever done those.

No Asian has ever achieved those.

No Filipino has ever won the world lightweight crown.

Not even the legendary Gabriel “Flash” Elorde was able to accomplish his dream of winning the world lightweight crown – twice he was deflected by Carlos Ortis in the ’60s.

So, do we still see a doubting Thomas out there questioning the fact Pacquiao, 29, is now the hands-down choice as the greatest Filipino boxer of all time?

* * * *

Under Philippine settings, Pacquiao has more than scaled Mt. Everest.

But in world standards, Pacquiao is still one step short of reaching the peak of Mt. Everest.

He can achieve that with one more victory – in the light welterweight division (140 lbs).

That could happen if he beats Ricky Hatton of England in possibly March next year.

But a Pacquiao-Hatton fight in 2009 can only materialize if Hatton successfully defends his crown against Paul Malinaggi in September.

Malinaggi, the American IBF champion in the 140-lb division, can be a tough customer though for Hatton.

After he got destroyed by the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr. for his first ever defeat in 45 fights, Hatton rebounded with a victory over Tony Lazcano only a while back.

But if it’s any indication, Hatton wasn’t very impressive against Lazcano. Hatton hauled away a mere points victory.

The Briton looked beatable in that fight and if it were Pacquiao he was up against with in that bout, Hatton might have been sent kissing the canvas with one Pacman punch.

At 140 lbs, Pacquiao would still be deadly and could still pack those killer blows.

* * * *

Remember, even if he was still fighting in the 130-lb division, Pacquiao would weigh more than 140 lbs every time he climbed the ring.

For example, against Juan Manuel Marquez alone on March 16 this year, Pacquiao weighed a bloated 148 lbs after hitting the scales at 129 lbs. That was one reason why he couldn’t knock out Marquez. With that 148-lb baggage, he was a bit sluggish.

Against David Diaz on June 29, Pacquiao, who hit the scales at 134-3/4 lbs on the day of the weigh-in, he was a perfect 145 lbs on fight night.

Thus, notice the lightness of feet he had displayed when he demolished Diaz in 2:36 of the ninth round.

So, never worry a thing if and when Pacquiao finally battles Hatton next year.

The only worry is, if we see a different Pacquiao fighting Hatton.

Which can only mean one thing: That Pacquiao has not trained properly for the fight.

At this stage, only Pacquiao can defeat Pacquiao.

And a beatable Pacquiao is a Pacquiao who is ill-prepared to fight.

(Readers may reach columnist at also147@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/general-admission/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments