LAS VEGAS–Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and the Blind Boys Of Alabama, individually and collectively, can see clearly that Manny Pacquiao will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY, five years after he retires from the ring.
His trainer, Freddie Roach, has also already secured his place in the hallowed halls not far a drive from the city of Syracuse and Coach Roach will be right alongside his trainer and longtime mentor, Professor Eddie Futch or, as he was reverently referred to by one and all, ?Mr. Futch.?
It?s one thing to go into the IBHOF by acclamation, it?s another have so massive, so spectacular a career that they might think of providing you with your own wing at the fistic fame factory.
With that in mind, herewith are my Top Reasons Why Megamanny Needs To Dominate Juan Manuel Marqquez in their rematch at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino:
1. Spitzer Hooker Fatigue. I think I speak for all of my fellow New Yorkers when I say I am ready to read about, hear about and write about the hooks thrown by the pride of Mexico and the Pinoy idol rather than Client 9?s bedtime romps with young women half his age, A huge Pacman victory would ease the strain of Spitzer Fatigue, at least temporarily.
2. Hillary, Barrack Fatigue Syndrome. Kelly Pavlik backed Clinton and she took his home state of Ohio. Juan ?Baby Bull? Diaz was unbeaten and held three world title belts when he was speaking out on behalf of Hill The Thrill. But Clinton barely won Texas, something like 51 percent to 47 percent, and then Nate Campbell bruised and battered Diaz in Cancun, taking his precious belts with him. So you have to think Diaz’s endorsement did not mean diddly-squat in Tejas. I am starting my own athletic supporter group, Jockeys To Nominate John Edwards. At least we won?t have to hear Manny drone on and on about either Barack or the former First Lady.
3. Nipping A Victory Does Not Burnish Manny?s Resume. Like I say, he is Canastota bound for sure but to truly erase the lingering doubts from the first bout, when Manny was the hunter who almost got captured by his prey, he needs a without doubt victory. Dominant decision is okay and a sensational KO or TKO is even better. But if we wind up with a touch of controversy, a split decision or a draw or any conclusion which the Marquez camp and Todo Mexico can lay claim to, then Pacquiao will not have made Pacman-Juan Ma I go away.
4. Completing The Trilogy Of Vanquished Mexican Idols. They were real, not false idols, but Megamanny sent two fighters who had greater stature, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, into retirement. If he can do the same to the less-heralded Marquez, it would be a fantastic triple play that will echo forever in boxing history.
5. Duck Soup Is On Arum?s Menu. I can understand Uncle Bobala giving Manny a lesser opponent after this fight. David Diaz is a nice young fellow and I?m glad to see him get a Megamanny payday but he is not and will never be a Mexican ring idol. So, when Arum brings Pacquiao-Diaz to Vegas next, it will be just another Manny bout and not a Megamanny bout. The Pacman constituency will turn out, yes, but the light-hitting Diaz has a decent following in Chicago but he will hardly be embraced by Mexicans the way that MAB, Morales and, to a lesser extent, Marquez have been. Arum is a bit obvious in preparing his duck soup. What do I mean? Diaz is on the undercard Saturday facing an opponent who has ZERO knockouts. You can never be too careful I guess.
6. Even casual boxing fans know that Manny is primarily known for being popular and that his popularity comes from being exciting. So taking a slim, 12-round verdict over the content to counterpunch Marquez will not really add to the Pacman Legacy. This may read like a regurgitation of Number Three but it bears repeating. This is not one of those bouts where Roach and Packy-Yow can be content to adopt the old George Benton bromide ?just win tonight, look good next time.?
7. Underlining Manny?s Status As The Las Vegas House Fighter Uber Alles. Larry Holmes held that honor for some years. Oscar de la Hoya became that person who was the crowd magnet for boxing in Vegas. Other than a Mayweather rehash, cannot see Oscar regaining that status,. Mike Tyson personified the status more than anyone. You could easily describe the MGM grand Garden Arena As The House That Tyson Built. With an exciting demolition or a dominant points verdict over Marquez in front of a capacity crowd and with closed circuit viewing inside the same hotel, peculiar will underline and embellish his status as The Go o Fighter for Sin City. When it comes to Manny?s exploits, what happens in Vegas, does not stay in Vegas. I?m staying, by the bye, at The Palms where their motto is What Happens At The Palms, Never Happened. Cute, eh? Maybe Gov. Spitzer should have his call girl assignations here instead of at the Mayflower Hotel, a two minute walk away from the White House.
SPECIAL BONUS REASON, 8. Because even acolyte Michael Koncz would be forced to admit, given a truth serum, that the man who used to wear the flaming trunks was really no ball of fire in bouts last year against Jorge Solis and Barrera. And dominating David Diaz in his next fight will not count for much!
Would it be tacky for me to say that Spitzer ?came? over on the Mayflower?
I?m out.
MARLEY?S PREDICTION IS; MANNY PACQUIAO BY UNANIMOUS DECSION, NO KNOCKDOWNS IN THE FIGHT BUT MARQUEZ IS CUT. FINAL SCORES: JERRY ROTH HAS IT 117–113, TOM MILLER HAS IT 118-114 AND DUANE FORD SEES IT 118-112.
