It?s a subtle difference but a difference nonetheless.
After having reviewed various tapes of Manny Pacquiao?s past battles it has occurred to me that the man has developed into a bonafide knockout artist. He?s no longer the type of fighter that wears his opponents down based on the accumulation of rapid-fire combinations. The ?Pacman? now possesses the size and power to punch a hole in somebody?s face.
That?s the positive aspect of Manny based on his move on up to the super featherweight division.
The one seemingly negative aspect of Manny?s move up to 130 pounds has been a slight degradation in his footspeed.
At the featherweight limit I cannot recall a fighter who was able to close such a large distance in such a drastic manner as the Filipino southpaw showed in his bouts with Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez.
It was amazing to see how Pacquiao would bounce in an off-type rhythm only to explode (without over-reaching) forward catching his opponents off-guard in the process. It?s what made the iconic ?Pacman? such a dangerous and different type of opponent to deal with.
While preparing for a southpaw is relatively standard by including sparring with other top-notch left-handers in training camp, there?s nothing out there that could prepare you for fighting a man who can close a distance perceived as ?way outside? and ?safe? in the blink of an eye.
At the super featherweight limit, it seems as though Pacquiao can apply those same types of movements and blitzing speed but rather in spurts in contrast to the consistency he showed in prior bouts. I?m not completely sure if it?s due to the fact that he?s settled down and fights in a calmer and more relaxed manner as of late or whether he doesn?t have the energy to carry those 145 pounds (fight time weight) utilizing the same style from prior fights.
I believe that Manny?s footspeed and constant explosiveness which came at 126 pounds is what made him such a destructive force to be reckoned with.
He may punch quite a deal harder at 130 pounds but that might not be the key to topple the monumental task that is defeating Juan Manuel Marquez.
Maybe I?m full of it? I?m sure that I am. All I know is that this might be the fight where Manny?s footspeed and punching power peak at the correct time leaving ?Dinamita? in a crumpled pile on the canvas.
Next Saturday can?t come soon enough?
