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BRANDON RIOS, FIRST HURDLE IN MANNY PACQUIAO?S ROAD TO REDEMPTION


PhilBoxing.com




Las Vegas, NV ? When I asked George Foreman, if the fight would end in a knockout, I was surprised by his response. Without any hesitation, he predicted it will be by decision but he was non committal on who will win.

He argued that Pacquiao will not be as aggressive as he usually does and the memory of the devastating knockout he suffered from Juan Manuel Marquez will be a bitter memory embedded in the very deep recesses of his cerebrum. He thinks, he will be tentative and careful, emphasizing, although the Filipino boxing superstar was on the verge of knocking out Juan Manuel Marquez during the fourth version of their classic rivalry, Pacquiao got careless.

George Foreman feels that Manny will do his best to be very careful this time. His parting words to me, if it was you, wouldn?t you? I will never know the answer to that question, I never in my wildest dream, imagining myself on top of a boxing ring.

The very animated and amiable Sugar Ray Leonard has a different take. When asked who will win he winked and said, you know who is going to win. Will it be a knockout, I asked. He smiled and followed it with a convincing nod. He never said, it will be the Philippine boxing hero but we can make our conclusions.

In the midst of the disaster caused by the super typhoon Yolanda which wrought havoc and unimaginable human tragedy, the weary people of the Philippines are looking forward to tonight?s fight as a much needed positive distraction.

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, boxing?s one and only eight division champion of the world will never disappoint his people. He has no choice but dig deep into his inner strength and overcome the hurdle Brandon Rios will vigorously put up to prevent him from proceeding to his road to redemption.

My prediction: A very entertaining, exciting and action packed fight with Manny Pacquiao winning by an eight round stoppage.

Sorry George, Manny will be careful but not hesitant.



The author poses with boxing legends George Foreman and Sugar Ray Leonard in Las Vegas.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Greg R. Penilla, M.D..


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