PACMAN NEED WORRY SOME ABOUT LARIOS
Manila, RP-Most boxing consider Manny Pacquiao?s fight against Oscar Larios this Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) as a tune up bout for an eventual rubber-match with Erik Morales. First off, Oscar Larios is no tune-up fighter period. Most judge Larios based off his last performance against Israel Vasquez. However, this was the third time Vasquez fought Larios and he simply has his number. Oscar, who was knocked out in just one round in their first fight, came back after being down in points in a close fight the rematch. In the second bout, Vasquez momentary lost his focus, turned his attention to the referee, and Larios capitalized and knocked him out. Besides Vasquez, Larios had pretty much run the gamut at 122.
INCONSISTANCY HAS PLEGED BOXING
With the exception of Floyd Mayweather, arguable the best fighters in the world, most boxing elite fighters have hit spped bumps in recent fights. Ricky Hatton had a lot of build up going into his bout against Luis Collazo in the spring. However, he was in a heated battle and won a close, and hotly contested decision. After Marco Antonio Barrera bested Erik Morales in their third bout, he was able to dominate two opponents before running into a hungry boxer, Rocky Juarez. Barrera was barely able to escape with a win, which prompted a re-match set for September 16.
ONLY FLOYD NOT PRONE TO LETDOWN
With the exception of Floyd Mayweather, arguable the best fighters in the world, most boxing elite fighters have hit speed bumps in recent fights. Ricky Hatton had a lot of build up going into his bout against Luis Collazo in the spring. However, he was in a heated battle and won a close, and hotly contested decision. After Marco Antonio Barrera bested Erik Morales in their third bout, he was able to dominate two opponents before running into a hungry boxer, Rocky Juarez. Barrera was barely able to escape with a win, which prompted a re-match set for September 16.
HAS HAPPENED TO THE BIGGER GUYS AS WELL!
Antonio Tarver was on top of the light heavyweight world after beating Glenn Johnson and Roy Jones Jr. But when he entered the ring against a former middleweight champ, on a two-fight losing streak, Bernard Hopkins, Tarver was embarrassed. Many of the top fighters have not been able to throw together a number of quality wins in concession. Manny Pacquiao is no different. After bursting onto the stage, stopping Lehlo Ledwaba in 2001, Pacquiao had an ugly fight with Agapito Sanchez. Advancing a couple of years, Pacquiao ran Barrera out of the ring in an upset win in 2003, earning himself the featherweight championship and worldwide notoriety. In his next bout, he had to settle with a draw against Juan Manuel Marquez, and this after dropping him three times in the first. Add the Morales loss in their first fight, and you can see Pacquiao has clearly shown signs of inconsistency. However, Pacquiao continues to fight top opposition and Larios will be the best fighter he?s fought not named Morales, Marquez, or Barrera.
ESCAPING WITHOUT A WIN IS NO OPTION
Now after building up Oscar Larios as a very good fighter, or nobodies chump, why do I think Pacquiao needs to win in dominating fashion? That?s because Pacquiao is starting to be build is legacy as that of an all time great fighter. Now if you?re a Pacantic, Manny is already the greatest fighter of all time. However, this fight could really establish how Pacquiao will be remembered long after he retires. Manny has built his career so far by destroying legendary fighters. Now he?s at the top of the mountain and his opponents are the hungry fighters, looking to devour the king. Although he?s no rookie, Larios is very motivated and is looking to do what Pacquiao has done Upsetting icons) in his two biggest wins. A spectacular win in front of his countrymen could finally release Manny from the show of the great, ?Flash? Elorde.
