Pacquiao’s must-mission is early ending

By Al S. Mendoza

 

IT is one week from today when Manny Pacquiao fights again.

Jeff Horn will face his most acid test yet as he attempts to capture Pacquiao’s world junior welterweight crown on July 2 in Brisbane, Australia.

The Australian Horn is as obscure as anyone from a mammoth crowd.

But how come he got the coveted chance to challenge Pacquiao?

He is unbeaten in 17 fights but in world boxing, 17 fights are not exactly enough to make you world-class.

The only shining aspect in Horn’s fight record is, he is unbeaten in 17 fights, with 11 knockouts and one draw.

Still, that’s no bragging right.

First, we do not know the boxers he beat.  Were they really good, if not as credentialed as Pacquiao?

Second, we have yet to hear of even a single fighter having given Horn a hard fight.  Maybe the one who fought him to a draw?

Third, how did he score his 11 knockouts?

We are all groping in the dark as to his ability to survive Pacquiao.

The only thing we know about Horn is, he loves to mix it up.

That’s dangerous—for Horn.

Anyone bold enough to engage Pacquiao toe-to-toe is perfect picnic for Pacquiao.

That’s Pacquiao’s specialty:  Head-on collision.

With that kind of duel, it’s like we are hearing Pacquiao say:  “Come to my parlor.”

I have yet to see a fighter so good at sending his foe to dreamland in the mold of Pacquiao in a slam bang affair.

Horn seems to be what the doctor ordered—for Pacquiao.

In short, Horn is the complete opposite of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

That is why against Mayweather, Pacquiao lost.

If they fight again, Pacquiao will lose again because Mayweather is the guy built to run.

A foe running all the time like Mayweather will always defeat Pacquiao.

Meaning, if Mayweather fights Pacquiao 12 times, Mayweather will win 12 times.

My only concern in the July 2 fight against Horn is, if Pacquiao is in tip top shape.

If he is not, Pacquiao’s firepower is compromised.

As I said, Pacquiao, at 38, is spring chicken no more.

Horn is almost 10 years Pacquiao’s junior.

That means, Horn could be way ahead in terms of power, strength and stamina.

But that would be upset by Pacquiao’s experience.

Should Pacquiao appear sluggish, if not slowed down by Father Time, he should lean on his decades of ring savvy.

Better yet, Pacquiao should never ever allow the fight to sap his energy.

Without a doubt, that will happen if the fight wears on.

Thus, a shorter fight will readily favor Pacquiao.

A strategy for an early Pacquiao knockout should, therefore, be seriously devised.

It should happen within the first five rounds.

Otherwise, a protracted war might do wonders for Horn.

We don’t want to see our very own Pacquiao absorbing the ignominy of being the recipient of the “Upset of The Century.”

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments