IT?S that time once again when we get to slake our thirsts for fistic mayhem-Manny Pacquiao style.
Mind you, we don?t have many of these occasions left as Pacquiao himself has imposed a deadline in two years.
By now, we have established Manny as the firm favorite coming into this fight. After all, the difference in experience, power and skill is all too apparent.
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For the record I am predicting Manny to win via late stoppage. If RuslanProvodnikov could knock down and hurt Algieri twice, there?s no reason why Manny cannot do the same or surpass that feat.
Plus, Manny is infinitely faster and fleeter than Provodnikov who was a plodder and so he has a better chance of catching Algieri if the latter decides to get on his bike.
Does that mean there?s no chance for an upset? Of course not. Everything and anythingis possible in a boxing match. More so that this version of our PambansangKamao is older, slower and has been the recipient of a one punch kayo not too long ago. Algieri is younger, taller and very athletic. But if I were to put a number to it, I?d peg it at a 15% chance of pulling off an upset.
That?s not bad really, considering that Algieri wasn?t even in the radar a year ago. Read on and enjoy our three possible scenarios. Afterwards, please visit www.sunstar.com.ph where this Last Rounder and Sun Star Superbalita?s prolific sports editor Jun Migallen will offer you our honest to goodness post fight analysis, Cebuano-style.
FIRST. Manny starts out fast and wins the first three rounds by landing first and frequently.Algieri seems unprepared for his opponent?s vaunted speed, despite all his much ballyhooed preparation.
Manny appears to slack off in the middle rounds and Algieri wins a couple of rounds.
But Manny pours on the heat in the championship rounds. In the 11th a left straight clips Algieri on the chin and he goes down.
His superior conditioning aids him and he doesn?t appear hurt, but he is clearly on survival mode. In the 12th, Manny desperately goes for the kayo but Algieri survives to hear the final bell. MANNY VIA UNANINOUS DECISION.
SECOND. Algieri comes out aggressively in the first round, catching Pacquiao by surprise. A couple of right hands stun Manny and gets the crowd excited. It elicits a wry smile from the PambansangKamao and soon he settles down to the business on hand.
The round ends with Manny landing a left straight that wobbles Algieri.
In the second and third rounds, Manny realizes that Algieri?spunches don?t hurt him at all, and he starts unleashing combinations. Algieri starts to back off and relies on his jab.
An accidental head-butt in the 4th results in blood gushing from Algieri?s forehead, but the ref rules him fit to continue. He tries to use lateral movement to avoid the rampaging Pacman and lands a couple of right hands that do no damage.
In the 5th round, Manny traps Algieri in the corner and lands a body shot that is curiously ruled low. The crowd boos, but Algieri is given time to recover. When action resumes, he again tries to fend off Pacquiao but the latter is a shark in the water who has tasted blood and would not be denied his frenzy.
In the sixth round, Algieri starts holding and clinching but Manny sneaks in a huge uppercut and Algieri goes down on one knee. He is up at 5, and Manny picks up where he left off.
He pursues a retreating and bloodied Algieri into his own corner, just as a white towel is thrown, signaling surrender. PACQUIAO BY TKO IN THE 6TH.
THIRD. Manny brings the fight to Algieri trying to get inside the taller man?s reach but the latter maintains his distance and wins the first few rounds. Algieri seems to have done his homework and times his counters everytime Manny lunges.
The crowd eggs on Pacquiao who lands some right hooks and left straights in the middle rounds. But Algieri comes back with some right hands of his own. Manny appears to tire in the 8th round as his output wanes, and the younger man takes precious advantage by being more active.
Manny scores a knockdown in the 10th, but Algieri appears unhurt. Manny mounts a rally in the championship rounds, but Algieri disengages, wisely avoiding dangerous exchanges, thinking he has the fight in the bag. Two of the three judges agree with him while one has Manny up by a point. ALGIERI VIA SPLIT D.
LAST ROUNDS. Are on my Super Idols team-mate Atty. Bong Pepito, and Pablo Andres ?Bluey? Garcia who recently celebrated their birthdays. Cheers!
