LOS ANGELES–Last summer, I got to visit the historic home of a genius named Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Vienna.
This Mozart, judging from the size of his tiny bed, was a small guy, a veritable flyweight in proportion but obviously a heavyweight of classical music.
I thought about Wolfie on Friday, when I was privileged enough to watch two other geniuses–Everlast Einsteins, to use my tag for such boxing brainiacs as they practiced for their upcoming “concert” on Nov. 13.
The maestro was Coach Freddie Roach and I saw him conduct an exquisite in ring practice session with his overachieving pupil, Manny Pacquiao.
These two are totally in sync which means that we might be on the verge of seeing, in his 57th pro bout, Pacquiao’s most dominant performance ever.
The syncopation and the harmony between trainer and fighter is something marvelous to see, a reminder of the era when Angelo Dundee and Muhammad Ali were similarly on the same page.
This Pacquiao performance might be to his ring career what Ali’s total demolition of a tough nut named Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams was at the Astrodome in Houston.
I’m sworn to secrecy on some details but I can tell you Paclanders this, I think that when he fights the limited Antonio Margarito, we may see Pacquiao’s finest “recital,” the most brilliant exposition of his reaching their zenith skills, at Cowboys Stadium.
If anything, Pacquiao will display all of his past flourishes and, I believe, a few new wrinkles which will dazzle both his foe and the millions watching around the globe and inside Jerry Jones’ gleaming football playpen where, for the second time since March, PTP (Prime Time Pacquiao) will be on exhibit.
Everyone knows that Pacquiao, turning 32 come Dec. 18, will operate like the proverbial cat on the hot tin roof against the far less mobile Mexcian.
When I visited the “Margocheato” training camp in Oxnard last week, I saw the daily routine up close.
Trainer Robert Garcia has his charge trying to bull him into the ropes, to cut off the ring.
A smart tactic, for sure, but you might as try to slow the speeding wheels of a Porsche on a wide open Autobahn.
Pacquiao will evade and elude the mobility traps because his footwork is now ridiculously fast.
All the while Margarito has his legs spread wide, trying to stop Manny from going left, right or backwards, the Pinoy Idol’s quick hands will be beating a new tattoo on the head and body of the Tijuana Tornado.
I predict you will see a punch that rarely been associated with southpaw Pacquiao causing the worst damage to the bigger, stronger but infinitely slower man.
Sure, Pacquiao will leave himself open for return fire. That’s why we call it a fight and not a barn dance.
But Margarito won’t be able to exploit those few opportunities for you can time his punches with a sun dial.
Pacman’s fleet feet and speedy hands will make Margarito look like a man slogging his way through wet cement or quicksand, take your pick.
Don’t blame estimable trainer Garcia. Don’t blame trying hard Magarito.
But you can’t catch a zephyr and that’s what Pacquiao will be.
This fight is going to one-sided albeit entertaining.
It matches a pedestrian talent against one of the two best of a generation.
When it’s over, the world will ooh and aah and fans will renew their demands for Floyd Mayweather to come out of hiding.
Mayweather’s faster, more elusive than Pacman, we all know that but we don’t know if he will man up for a Manny fight despite the much discussed $50 million purse.
Manny-Floyd remains the only match that matters and I now say, having been wrong 69 times, that it happens in May, 2011.
Pacquiao’s greatest ring effort ever will be followed by his most daunting challenge.
Margarito is the perfect foil.
Too bad Mozart isn’t around to appreciate this tour de force.
