When assessing a potential Manny Pacquiao vs. Yuri Foreman bout, the words ‘consolation prize’ instantly scream out. With Floyd Mayweather very possibly out of Pacquiao’s immediate future the Filipino superstar has been forced to weigh all of his other options and for the moment the newly minted WBA Jr. Middleweight titlist seems to be the leader of the pack.
While the contest has been criticized by many who feel that Pacquiao is simply on another level, a closer look at the situation shows some who feel it is a dangerous contest. Foreman hasn’t produced anything legendary inside of the ropes but he does have size, a very hard style to figure out, and the confidence that comes from playing the role of a champion.
As of now there is so much uncertainty surrounding Pacquiao that we are still unsure of who exactly he is going to end up squaring off with next, let alone how he will perform against said opponent. Wanting to get a better for what everyone feels about a possible Pacquiao vs. Foreman matchup I dug up some of the finer quotes that people have been saying about it on some of the busiest forums on the net. In everyone’s own words, this is how some of the public is viewing the possible showdown…
(The Saint @ TheSweetScience.com)… “I’d rather see Pacquiao not fight at all or just take a stay busy fight against a low risk opponent. I know that Yuri Foreman is very beatable, but he’s still a 154-lb fighter who probably walks around at 170-175 and anything can happen. A 154-lb belt will do little to enhance Pacquiao’s legacy, and a tune up fight will not diminish his status, either. Worst case scenario is Foreman wins and Mayweather will challenge Foreman, win, and claim to be the best. Mayweather’s strategy is for the top fighters to take the big risks and beat each other while he stays out of the fray dry humping his undefeated record.”
(Aldo-Raine @ BoxingScene.com)… “Foreman is a bum…this will not be a challenge”
(Frank Z @ TheSweetScience.com)… “This fight actually makes the most business sense right now to me…short of Mayweather. If Manny fights him and wins an 8th belt it’ll be a great promoting point for fights after.”
(tkeithwhite @ BadLeftHook.com)… “I could not want to see this fight less. Foreman-Santos was a real snoozer, with Foreman being less than impressive. This whole situation is bogus.”
(Street Bully @ BoxingScene.com)… “Manny is biting off more than he can chew. 148 pounds vs. 170 pounds is no joke.”
(SC @ BadLeftHook.com)… “I actually thought Yuri was pretty impressive against Santos (who was, well, fat), but I don’t like his chances to serve as much more than a punching bag for Pacquiao.”
(ASH KETCHUM @ BoxingScene.com)… “I don’t think Pacquiao is a good body puncher. Has anyone seen him hurt any one in the lower weights with body punching? Plus, will his punches still be as strong at 154 against a pure boxer like Foreman?
This fight actually seems interesting.”
(To get a closer look at Yuri Foreman, click HERE)
(FanBox @ TheSweetScience.com)… “Come on now. Take the damn test and this will all go away. These fighters are willing to sale their soul; and probably even their own mothers, to get a little money in the pocket. Although there are some that will back Pac with this decision and still be loyal fans, there are many that will now question his legitimacy and his reason for not just taking the test. And I’m sorry, all the excuses for not taking the test has been proven to be bull. I personally will not have an ounce of respect left for him.”
(BrickHaus @ BadLeftHook.com)… “Pac COULD have some legitimate problems with Foreman. There’s a reason Pac hasn’t faced someone with his style who weighs more than 126. Frankly, I could see Pacquiao just not reaching the much longer Foreman most of the night in a real stinker.”
(Another weight class @ Secondsout.com)… “He might be going up to 154lb. to fight Yuri ‘who are you’ Foreman. But the promotion is mostly going to be about how he is moving up in weight class and Foreman isn’t going to have anything to say during the promotion. If you ask me who is going to watch Pacquiao vs. Foreman on PPV? Not me. You might wanna put it on boxing after dark.”
(DoubleMM @ BoxingScene.com)… “It’s disgusting that some people call this guy the #1 p4p fighter and he’s self-admitting cherry picking the worst title holders and yet be praised for it.”
(Mlobregat @ Philboxing.com)… “As much as I like the Pac-PBF fight, the Pac-Foreman fight is my next choice anyway. That is the difference between Pac and the others. Pac is willing to move up the weights. People have said that Pac can’t do it when he fought David Diaz, then to De La Hoya, then to Hatton and recently with Cotto. Besides, isn’t it Freddie Roach is the one said that they want to fight Yuri as well for the next fight after the Cotto fight? Freddie knows Pac’s limits. Alex Ariza knows what to give Pac to gain more weight. Fighting Yuri is like one of Pac’s aces hiding from in his sleeves. Though I see this as a mismatch in height, but if we base it on the De la Hoya fight, then it’s not that different after all.”
(Rampage1978 @ BoxingScene.com)… “This is a slap in the face to all boxing fans!!! I don’t want to hear any of this sh*t cause I won’t be watching this nonsense. If Mayweather-Pacquiao doesn’t happen then f*ck boxing, I’m done with it!!! I’ve remained a loyal fan time and time again but this is the last time, as a fan I will sit back and watch these idiots running the sport deny us another great fight!!!”
(Dead_hungry @ Philboxing.com)… “Wapakman will kill the slow Yuri foreman! remember Wapakman’s sparring partner is legitimate light Middleweight in Porter and he can definitely take the punch!”
(fitty mafioso @ BoxingScene.com)… “This could be a good fight, even if he is on steroids 154 is no joke for Pacquiao. Foreman is a decent fighter, he’s no JCC Jr and he will have a massive size advantage even if there is a catch weight. After the Diaz fight, Roach was saying he wouldn’t let Pac go above 140, now they’re talking about him going all the way up to Jr middle.”
(Instinct @ TheSweetScience.com)… “I highly respect Yuri, he is a real boxer with a positive attitude. Pacman and Yuri is a very good match. Both fighters are good and respect each other. Not like Mayweather who will dance the whole 12 rounds… Good luck to both of you guys. Yuri – Pacman fight is more exciting to watch than a Mayweather and Matthew Hatton fight…. Pacman is the eagle…. Mayweather is no match…”
(Samurai @ BoxingScene.com)… “He will whip Foreman’s @ss.”
(Blitzkrieg @ Philboxing.com)… “Legacy-wise PAC vs. Yuri Foreman is it… Challenge-wise PAC vs. Timothy Bradley is it… Revenue-wise PAC vs. J M Marquez is it…”
(Click HERE to check out an exclusive photo gallery on Yuri Foreman)
(GTR @ BoxingScene.com)… “After reading that, I’m thinking Manny is definitely always looking for a challenge and odds stacked against him. Floyd wouldn’t dare do what Manny does.
Foreman, paper champion or not, means he’s one of the division’s best out there. This is another unpredictable match for Pac where he risks losing.”
(lb 4 lb @ FightBeat.com)… “I just read where Freddy said it’s a tough fight for Pac. He also said they’re looking into a JMM III match. Freddy also said they won’t be fighting Malignaggi because it wouldn’t be much of a fight. That’s good because I seriously don’t think Malignaggi deserves a shot at Pac. When a guy comes out and says you’re going to be their substitute opponent what sense does it make for you to immediately go to the press and then start talking major unnecessary shit about that opponent who is giving you a shot as well as a major payday?”
(jrosales13 @ BoxingScene.com)… “People here are idiots. If this fight happens is not an easy fight. This is a whole new style that Pac will fight. Please tell me the last time Pac fought somebody with Foreman’s style? Plus Foreman will biggest fighter he has ever fought, reach advantage and height advantage. This fight will be interesting. And, for the record if Pac wanted to get an easy title he could of fought Spinks. Spinks will be an easier fight than Foreman. Now after saying all that I am not sure this fight will happen. Because, this will not be an easy win for Pac.”
(Barristan @ FightBeat.com)… “Never underestimate the sport of boxing’s ability to take huge sh!ts on itself…”
(vitali1999 @ BoxingScene.com)… “Pac’s management team is going to ruin his career if the Filipino star keeps on fighting, they put him in there with Williams and at the rate they are going he will be fighting at Middlewieght by the end of 2010. But Pac will lose in 2010 if they keep putting him in weight classes he does not belong in. Yes Pacquiao is a great fighter but they have weight limits for a reason.”
(StingerKarl @ FightBeat.com)… “Foreman is all wrong for Manny, could stink him out to a points loss.
Arum should forget about this guy.”
