The above phrase is what every Filipino fight fan in the Philippines and around the world will be waiting for when Manny “the Pacman” Pacquiao makes it all happen come March 19th at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. There will be a lot riding on that left hand of the phenomenal Pacman. The whole of the 700 plus islands will shake when that straight left connects. The impact will resonate through all levels of stature in the country. “Pacman Pride” will be the rallying point for every Filipino for that fleeting moment. Never mind if the kids had had their lunch. Never mind the church mass for the day. And above all, never mind if my Mother-in-law wants to stay in our house indefinitely. She can hang around as long as she wants, but that can only happen if Manny Pacquiao pulls through. Sounds fair, huh? Come fight night, all non-boxing related activity will be set aside in every Filipino household. It’s a cinch all TV sets will be plugged in for the fight. It won’t be surprising if people will kneel down to say a prayer for Manny. I will be one of them. Why? Because the Pacman-El Terrible fight is the biggest sporting event in the annals of Philippine sports. Sure, Elorde vs. Gomes was big in its day. The Thrilla in Manila was even bigger. But this upcoming super featherweight bout with Pacquiao against Morales has all the credentials of an all time classic. It will be explosive from the onset that the viewers should not even blink.
Time and time again we have based our predictions for the outcome of a big fight on a fighter’s punching power. This was the prevailing thought then when Iron Mike Tyson was at his peak. It doesn’t matter who the other guy was on the opposite corner, Mike surely would knock him out anyway. Tommy Hearns would do the same in the welterweight division with that straight as an arrow right hand of his. Jose”Pipino” Cuevas and Roberto Duran could attest to that. A boxing fan would be surprised if a Tyson or Hearns fight went the distance. We watch their fights because we subconsciously know that a KO is just around the corner when these two guys bring out the heavy artillery. In addition, you can throw in Earnie Shavers and you’ll get the idea what this piece wants to convey to you. Everybody loves a puncher!
A slugger, banger or bomber, or whatever you want to call them. Their punches arrive with a thud, and are definitely not duds. And they are the admirable type of fighters that will make you get up from your seats and scream at the top of your lungs. Yes, they truly give you your money’s worth. They say that punchers are born, not made. Very few fighters are blessed with natural punching power. You can dispute this claim and say anything you want, but punching power is the most precious of all boxing attributes a fighter could ever wish for. It’s said in boxing that, you always have a chance if you have a big punch. A punch that turns around or ends a fight. Julian Jackson and Arturo Gatti are prime examples capable of throwing such a punch. Remember Mike Weaver doing the trick on Big John Tate with that single uppercut in the 15th round of their heavyweight championship in 1980? Weaver was way behind and Tate was just cruising and waiting for the final bell before he folded under that wicked punch. One can just imagine the shock and disbelief of those who backed Big John Tate with their money bets.
We Filipinos experienced the same thing with our own Rolando Navarette who succumbed to Rafael “Bazooka” Limon’s barrage in the 13th round after leading comfortably in the judges cards before the start that fateful round. I will take the memory of that fight to my grave, since my girlfriend then broke up with me when I stood her up because of this fight. Though I still believe up to this present day, I have yet to meet a woman who can contend when there’s a great fight in hand. A handful of Filipino champs made their marks since then. Guys like Frank Cedeno, Rolando Pascua, Morris East, Louie Espinosa and brothers Dodie and Jerry Penalosa. But none had the cult-like following of Manny Pacquiao. It is amazing to note that Pacquiao’s popularity is not media-hyped nor created. It is not induced by any promotional or marketing specialist. It has taken a natural life of its own. Manny Pacquiao is a genuine boxing superstar.
Raw Power
A few years ago, in the weekly local boxing program “Blow by Blow”, the 17 year old Manny Pacquiao could be seen regularly knocking out his adversaries with constant frequency. His fighting style is a devil-may-care type with usually ends all activities with that brutal straight left of his. There was a fight wherein he altered the location of his opponent’s nose. Afterwards, he flashes that boyish smile as if he wants to do it all over again. This is one kid not to mess up with. Manny Pacquiao now belongs to the punchers club. The Pacman as of late, has shown signs of slowly morphing into a single-punch knockout artist. He actually did it against Emmanuel Lucero in 2003 and almost against Juan Manuel Marquez in May 2004, before displaying it again last December versus the Thai boxer Fahsan 3K with a vicious uppercut that lifted the Thailander’s feet off the canvas.
The big left hand punchers I can recall belonged to the heavier weight classes. Guys like Joe Frazier and Bob Foster possess big left hooks. Also light heavyweight Marvin Johnson as well. The last little guy with a big left punch was Lew Tindler who was a lightweight in the ’20s. Now comes the banger in Manny Pacquiao. I have been fortunate enough to view most of Manny’s fights, and I can only conclude that all of his fights hinges on that left hand. That real bonafide haymaker of a left. It is true that Manny’s conditioning is excellent, his speed is exceptional, but what really makes the difference is that powerful left hand. It could make or break his fight with Erik Morales. The left hand is Manny’s passport to greatness. It is beautiful to watch when he throws it. The leverage of that left will be akin to that straight right hand of Tommy Hearns. Its drilling impact will be Tyson-like. Manny knows the high stakes on this one. He will back his punch with such a burning desire that will enable him to reach out for that something extra when the fight goes to the championship rounds. He will dig in to his reserves, as they say and he will always unleash that thing that made him to what he is today; that big straight left hand.
