Since Boxing Confidential opened its door on December 4, 2006, I have done a lot of writing focused on Manny Pacquiao. Not because I am obsessed with him, from the perspective of being a hater, or being a nut hugger. Not because writing about Pacquiao increases our traffic, which incidently, it does.
I write about Manny because his career has crossed into a pair of my niches as a writer: Latino fighters and the featherweight and super featherweight divisions. For me to ignore Manny when covering Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Joan Guzman, and Edwin Valero would be irresponsible.
The hateful e-mails from some Manny Pacquiao supporters started when I did not name him my 2006 Fighter of the Year; they continued when I failed to be a shill for Pacmania and covered the man and sport from a fair and balanced footing.
This Saturday night when Manny enters the ring against Jorge Solis, I expect to see Manny shine. Yes, clean up the San Miguel spit out all over your monitor Pacquiao fan, I am picking Manny to win.
Just because I believe Manny has flaws in his style, has faced somewhat aged competition as of late, and do not consider him to be the pound for pound best in the world, does not mean I do not respect the Tazmanian Devil-like fury he brings into the ring.
Many, including myself, have questioned Manny’s focus coming into Saturday night. Yet looking at his body and footage from his open workouts, Manny seems prepared and even though Jorge Solis is undefeated against unknown opposition, Solis will present no challenge to Manny.
More disheartening for boxing fans looking for a scrap, everything I have seen from Solis, in relation to non-verbal communication, makes me believe he is just happy to be in San Antonio as the sacrificial lamb to a boxing icon.
When Manny defeats Solis, easlily, the pressure then falls on Bob Arum to bring Pacquiao opposition which is worthy to the Pinoy’s challenge. A few hundred thousand boxing fans might flop down hard earned money, once, or maybe twice, to see the most exciting fighter in the sport, but nobody is going to make a habit of it.
In Mr. Arum’s hands lies the responsibility to showcase one of boxing’s crown jewels in a manner which will further Manny’s career and build interest in the sport. Manny and fans deserve match-ups with the likes of Joan Guzman, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Edwin Valero, yes, even Humberto Soto.
So lets enjoy Saturday night when one of the best in the sport enters the ring again, but lets look forward to true challenges for Manny and hold Mr. Arum accountable for awe inspiring ring moments between Pacquiao and the best in the super featherweight class.
