Salutations RSR Readers. This edition of my mailbag is jam packed with questions from readers. I had a ton of submissions even though there was not a marquee fight over the weekend, although Alexander Povetkin defeating Chris Byrd was a significant result for the heavyweight division. That is a stark contrast to next weekend where one of the best fights to have been made in a long time is going to be happening in Wales. Joe Calzaghe vs. Mikkel Kessler is a classic fight between two excellent champions. The division will finally be completely unified and settled when this one is over.
Without further ado, because we have a lot to get to, I will start with the questions. This week I start with some feedback from my pound for pound list, which was posted last week on RSR, and then transition into a healthy dose of mandatory Pacquiao emails with a few random questions and nuggets of wisdom in between. Enjoy.
My Top 15 Pound For Pound
This is an extremely credible ranking because it is from a logical rationale. That’s right, skill wise, Mayweather is on top but the basis should include accomplishment, how convincing is the victory, resistance, quality of opponents, and other factors. To make it short, let’s make an analogy, if you are to choose and hire between a Summa Cum Laude graduate from Poodhunk University and an MIT graduate, which would you anoint?
-Ottog Hahn Matalam
10-4 Brian, you rated the boxers fair and square and without political bias.
-Erick Flores
Ottog and Erick,
Thank you for the compliments. I did try to devise my list from logical rationale. Call me the Ayn Rand of the boxing world. Boxers have to earn a spot in my top 10 list by taking tough fights against credible opponents. Even if I think they are the most skilled and talented, they have to prove so in the ring.
P4P LIST
Hi Brian, I’m a reader of your column and this is my first time to join, hope you could answer my questions.
Please give us your latest Pound 4 Pound best fighter. Let’s say Floyd Mayweather won over Ricky Hatton with the same performance he won over Oscar De La Hoya. Are you picking Floyd as your no.1? Why? What is your criterion?
-Sac
Sac,
As my top 15 pound for pound list said, my #1 is Manny Pacquiao right now. I base my lists mostly off the quality of opponents and the quality of the wins over such opponents.
I have finally given up the top spot from Mayweather because I feel that Manny has fought the higher level of opposition in his last handful of fights. I also said that if Mayweather beat Hatton convincingly I would put Mayweather back on top. Floyd?s win over De La Hoya was clear, but the fight was closer than it should have been for the pound for pound king. I would expect Mayweather to beat Hatton more convincingly than he defeated Oscar to retake the top spot. Although, I would think long and hard about putting Floyd at #1 anyway because a legitimate win over Hatton is outstanding even if the fight is close. But of course, Manny could up his stock yet again if he defeats Juan Manuel Marquez in March. This is a heated two-person race for #1.
Kessler vs. Mayweather?
I agree with your comments in your top 15 pound for pound article. The next fight of Mayweather will determine whether he deserves to be in the in the number 1 spot again or not.
I believe Kessler can UPSET Mayweather!
-Silver
Silver,
Kessler over Mayweather would hardly be an upset! Kessler is several weight classes above Floyd?s natural weight making him so much bigger and stronger. Plus Kessler has a great jab and power; it would be a no contest. Just because Mayweather is pound for pound doesn?t mean he is a super hero!
Pacquiao As Top Dog
I agree on the take that Pacquiao should be 1st on your list as he is the most exciting boxer. If Mayweather knew what drew the crowds he could be at the top list of the most exciting fighters. He has the ability to be there yet his fights are always dull. He can however remain among the top pound for pound fighters by doing what he has been doing, running his opponents to exhaustion trying to catch him.
-Butthead
Butthead,
Say hi to Beavis for me. I didn?t give Pacquiao any bonus points for being more exciting, but that certainly doesn?t hurt my opinion of him. If Mayweather took more chances and mixed it up a bit he could become a bigger superstar than he already is and bring the sport back to prominence like Mike Tyson and Sugar Ray Leonard did in the 80?s.
Two Colleagues Debate
What I don?t understand is how some writers have Pacman #1 based on the fact that he beat Morales, who was washed up and coming off of 3 losses in 4 fights to 3 different styles of fighters, and a win over Barrera, who was also coming off of a loss. How do you move up? Plus he has no legit world title in any weight class and is sticking in the 130 pound division so he can beat up on smaller guys. Where are fights with Soto, Guzman, Guerrero, Marquez and Chi? Fighting old Mexican legends on their way out doesn?t prove a lot to me. How does Mayweather, who hasn?t lost or slipped in any way, go from 1 to 2 without losing? I don?t get it.
-Greg Rowe (RSR Feature Writer)
Greg,
Where did you get the idea that Pacquiao was beating up on smaller guys? He won his first title at 112 pounds and rapidly rose up in weight from 122 to 126 and is now at 130. If anything he is a smaller guy beating up on naturally bigger men.
You mention some young quality fighters that Pacquiao could be fighting, but Mayweather is not fighting the young quality fighters in his division either. Where are the fights with Paul Williams, Antonio Margarito, Joshua Clottey, Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley, and Kermit Cintron? Granted his fight with Ricky Hatton is a good one, but that has not happened yet and I said in my column that an impressive win over Hatton would reclaim the top spot for Mayweather.
I can criticize Floyd’s opposition just as easily as you criticize Pacquiao’s level of opposition. De La Hoya was a shell of his former self. Carlos Baldomir was never any good. Zab Judah was coming off of a loss. Sharmba Mitchell was on his way out, as was Gatti. Who is Henry Bruseles? I pick Pacquiao because his last 6 opponents are slightly better than Mayweather’s and he has been slightly more active.
Boxing?s Red Carpet
Hey Brian, remember back in the day when boxers entered the ring with just their trainer and even just themselves? After watching boxing the last couple of years, I have noticed a number of people weasel their way into the boxing ring that serve absolutely NO purpose to be in there except to get their mug on TV. Here are those people:
The towel carrier. Isn?t that the job of the trainers? It?s also an easy way for someone to weasel into the ring and look like he is supposed to be there. The ultimate weasel move.
The flag carrier. Now this guy serves NO purpose! He is often seen on the ring apron waving a flag behind the fighter during the TV intro. As if this gets the crowd hyped up? No, you?re blocking the view from the fans!!!
The belt carrier. Ok. I guess I can buy this one. But what happened like when back in the day, a fighter actually wore his belt in the ring?
The official clapper. You know this guy. The guy who has a meaner look on his face than the fighter walking to the ring. Relax guy, the fighter has to fight the fight, not you!
The advisor. His job is to make the manager and promoters job more difficult really bringing nothing to the table other than his own opinion. What purpose does he have in the ring? He doesn?t.
The lawyer. Once upon a time his job was to just to oversee contracts and make sure the legalities were in order. Now he is becoming a bit too friendly with the promoter and enjoying the ringside perks a bit too much. Get back to the office and make sure the post fight details are in order!
The “who in the hell is that guy”? We all have seen this guy through the years. The one you are looking at each other saying, where in the world did this guy come from? Who is he with? Does he even have a credential?
“Look at me I?m on TV” and “I’m with him” guy. Who in the hell are some of these people? The ring has so much commotion in it after the fight these days, you can?t even see even if you?re in the first row. You know, that moron talking on his cell phone trying to look cool as you can read his lips, “can you see me?”
How about your observation and comments on them?
-ER
ER,
My comments? I think that I am wasting my time being a boxing writer when I could be a ?Look at me I?m on TV? guy for a world champion boxer. Your email has inspired me. I am going to work on my resume and send it around to all of the pound for pound fighters. I hope that their ?Look at me I?m on TV? position is open. I have my fingers crossed.
Classic email by the way.
Byrd Shot Down
Brian, first time writing into your bag but I wanted to know if you think Chris Byrd has anything left? I saw his last fight or lack of, and was very disappointed.
P.S. How about them Chargers?
-Jonathan
Jonathan,
That is a tough question to answer. I saw his fight against Paul Marinaccio and thought he looked okay. He had some ring rust but he pulled it together and got the job done. Now I know a lot of people will say that Byrd is completely done after losing to Alexander Povetkin on Saturday in Germany, but I am not sure if I agree. The loss to Povetkin could be the result of a bad styles matchup for Byrd, and maybe the young Russian and former Olympic Gold Medalist is that good that he can KO a former world champ in his 14th pro fight. I concede that Chris is done as an elite heavyweight, but he is still a viable contender and can play the role of a gatekeeper for other up and coming heavyweight prospects. And in this era, even a past his prime Chris Byrd might be able to win a version of the title if he is matched correctly.
Even though this is a boxing mailbag, I?ll comment on the Chargers. They are an okay team that will probably come out on top of a weak division only to get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.
Money or Fear?
After their controversial draw when Juan Manuel Marquez survived 3 knockdowns in the first round he was offered by Manny?s camp a good purse for their rematch. Marquez turned it down and instead fought in Indonesia against an unheralded boxer Chris John with a smaller purse (10,000 dollars only?! – purse usually received by patsies) and lost in a hometown decision. After winning the title against Barrera, Marquez was offered again a rematch but insisted he had to receive a much higher purse than Pacquiao since he is the champion. But he is not a crowd drawer unlike Barrera and Morales. Then so forth fighting the likes of Jimrex Jaca, and declining Barrera that the latter says ?it?s just another fight for me” (does Barrera take Marquez seriously in their fight with that kind of statement?). He doesn’t even call out the other champs. So, what’s your opinion? Does Marquez really think he is worth the money or is he scared of Pacquiao?
-Anonymous
Mystery Man,
My answer to your question is neither. I am sure that Marquez, a warrior at heart, would want to fight the best and will fight whoever is put in front of him. The reason that a rematch between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao cannot be made is Nacho Beristain. Beristain is a terrible, terrible manager. He is a good trainer, one of the best in the sport, but he is clueless when it comes to negotiating fights. His demands are unreasonable and not based on reality. This is why Bob Arum refuses to deal with him anymore. If Beristain was not Marquez’ manager we would see him in much better fights.
If the reports that the Marquez camp is demanding a majority of the total purse then Marquez? camp is being unreasonable in their negotiations with Pacquiao. I am inclined to believe the reports because Beristain made the same mistake the last time he tried to negotiate a Pacquiao rematch. Marquez is not the bigger draw so he should not get more, or even the same, amount of money versus Pacquiao. Beristain is famously a stubborn negotiator and promoters hate him. Now if Nacho TWICE gets in the way of a Marquez/Pacquiao rematch, promoters won’t be the only ones who hate him, the whole boxing world will hate him.
I would be shocked if Beristain doesn’t realize that he made a huge mistake a few years ago. He could go down as the worst manager in boxing history if he pulls the same stunt again.
Mzonke Fana And His IBF Belt
Hi Brian, I just want to know if you think Mzonke Fana deserves to hold the IBF title with a lot of better fighters than him in Super Featherweight division?
-Jan Cristan
Jan,
The IBF is a worthless organization, so yeah, Fana and the IBF go together well! Even with the alphabet soup belt, Fana is not considered one of the best five fighters in his weight class. Anyone who calls him a ?Champion? is only kidding himself or herself.
November 3rd: A Night of Great Fights
Hey, Brian, it?s me again. When JM Marquez isn?t scheduled to fight Pacquiao or Guzman it becomes difficult for me to figure out how he could lose a fight, especially against lesser guys like Juarez. And contrary to other notions that JMM appeared like a ?shot? fighter in his last outing against MAB, I think Marquez proves that he can still be competitive against top-level oppositions. He was a bit slower though and his reflexes weren?t as sharp when he fought MAB last March. But still analysts say that in terms of ring years/wars, JMM is fresher compared to both MAB and Erik Morales, even though these three outstanding Mexican warriors are all in their early 30s. So what?s your prediction for the Marquez-Juarez bout?
By the way, Marquez-Juarez is definitely dwarfed in magnitude, prestige, and level of excitement by the other Nov. 3 showdown between European all-star fighting giants Joe Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler. Can?t wait to watch this super fight and to know at the end of the night who will leave the ring victorious because we all know that a victory here means a lot for both fighters: who will emerge as the new ?undisputed? Super Middleweight Champion and take pride in one?s ability to extend his professional record squeaky-clean against a high caliber opponent? I?m very excited for this grand event in world boxing. I?ve watched a few fights of Calzaghe. I was particularly impressed when he fought Jeff Lacy; he showed great heart, power, hand speed, and courage in defeating Lacy.
I?m aware that many people find the quality of Joe?s past opponents questionable and dismissing his ten-year reign as a champion because it has been viewed as something gained out of his reluctance to go out of his ?comfort zone.? Kessler, on the other hand, appears to be a formidable force for any super middleweight to be in the ring with. I saw a number of his previous fights, and against Andrade, the Viking Warrior showed his polished boxing skills. He is a true boxer-puncher who moves well in the ring, throws a powerful ?educated? jab, and one who can truly hurt his foes with accurate punching power from both hands, not to mention that he is said to have never been down on the canvas and therefore has a sturdy chin.
It?s really hard to say if it would be by KO/TKO in the later rounds or a decision because this is totally a tough one to call; but I would like to think that Kessler will beat Calzaghe on Nov. 3 at Cardiff, Wales. Why? Because Joe, though a great champion and a seasoned fighter, is not a FEARSOME opponent for Kessler. Joe is also the older guy between the two. And although both can be said as equally intelligent fighters in the ring, I still believe that Kessler is tougher than Calzaghe. Perhaps Mikkel is right when he said that he doesn?t consider the Pride of Wales as the toughest opponent that he could ever face in his entire career. That said, it is disturbing that Joe Calzaghe, in this particular context, appears to be someone who simply cannot afford to say the same thing about the Viking Warrior in return. Kessler is not only strong and brave, he also enhances those attributes with his crafty, methodical, and highly controlled fighting style as well. Last time you refused to reveal your choice, now your readers ought to know before we run out of time, 10 days before the big event, what?s your pick for this European mega fight, Brian? Thanks, bro!
-PinoyGlad
PinoyGlad,
I think Marquez will outbox Juarez similar to the way that Barrera did in his rematch with Rocky. This is an interesting fight though because Juarez has huge power and always has a puncher?s chance.
I also cannot wait for Calzaghe vs. Kessler. This is going to be a great fight and one that is very important for the history of the Super Middleweight division. I have been a major critic of Calzaghe and his choice of opponents in the past, but to be honest, I am leaning towards Calzaghe in this fight. Joe has the hometown advantage and does not have to leave his comfort zone. Calzaghe also has the edge in experience. He could use some veteran tricks, in addition to his hand speed, to surprise Kessler for at least the first couple of rounds. That could be the edge that gets him the decision win.
I tell you what though; Kessler really is an outstanding and complete fighter. His jab is tough to deal with and Calzaghe is going to be in for a long night win or lose. This is the kind of boxing match that fight fans live for. May the best man win.
Pacquiao Is a Gateway Drug
Brian I really appreciate your efforts to connect to the fans and reply to our e-mails. That you get highly charged comments or feedback from your readers speaks well of how they think highly of your column. They could have otherwise just stopped reading.
Wow, we Pacmaniacs are in for a long drought, i.e. until Pac’s next bout in March of 2008. I do look forward to the Marquez-Juarez and Mayweather bouts, though. I guess I have Pacman to thanks for this. He has brought people to boxing and now we’re interested in fights that do not even involve him. Thanks sir.
-Jan Iriga
Jan,
That is great to hear that you being a fan of Pacquiao has evolved to you being a fan of the entire sport of boxing. Boxing needs stars like Pacquiao and Mayweather to bring boxing to people?s attention. There are some really superb fights on deck in the coming months so enjoy.
Everyone Wants Pacman
Why is it that everyone wants to fight Manny Pacquiao? Why? Why???? Joan Guzman, Edwin Valero, the Diaz?s, Juarez, etc. Are they seeing him (Manny) as easy to beat?
-Sam
Sam,
Only a crazy man would see Pacquiao as an easy target. Everyone wants to fight the best because if they win they get the glory and the reputation that goes along with defeating a top pound for pound fighter. Any world-class boxer with any confidence will always seek out the best available opposition. Plus, a fight with Manny equals big money.
Pacquiao vs. Juan Diaz
In terms of power, maybe Pacquiao has the advantage; in terms of speed, maybe Juan has the advantage. But power is strength and strength is stamina. I can’t see Juan still delivering with crisp and speed once Pacquiao clocks him. Here is a guy who is more than willing to stand toe to toe and can well absorb any bunch of Baby Bull?s punches. If this fight will happen it will be shortened by Juan’s own style and the stronger not the bigger man will be left standing. What do you say to that?
-Fil Sanchez
Fil,
Pacquiao probably has the edge in speed actually, but that is beside the point. The line that every person who has predicted that Diaz would lose one of his fights was that the opponent was stronger than Juan. Yet Juan has fought his way through all of his physically stronger foes by throwing non stop and using his greatest asset: his stamina.
If Pacquiao can punch at lightweight like he did at 122 and 126 pounds, then I agree with what you say. But I strongly question whether Pacquiao can carry all of his crisp power and speed all the way up to 135.
Another Challenge
Listen Wilbur. You know damn well you never showed up at my dojo. If you did you would know it is located directly across from where Daniel LaRussa’s mom works. You can see the Chinese restaurant from my Dojo. Maybe you showed up at the restaurant and ordered the cream of sumyungi but never had the stones to step foot in my dojo. You probably could hear me when you crossed the street. “Fear does not exist in this Dojo does it?…Pain does not exist in this dojo does it?” That is the chant of a Cobra. The All Valley Tournament is coming up in a month and I invite you to show up at the tourney. We will see what kind of man you are then. I will be the one ordering the leg sweeps and flying gobblers from the sideline. Look for the Cobra Tattoo on my arm.
-Sensei Kreese
Sensei Kreese,
If I am interpreting your email correctly, I think you are trying to tell me that Miguel Cotto is going to defeat Shane Mosley when they meet on November 10th. I totally agree with you. You know Sensei, I didn?t think that we had anything in common, but, we do.
And thanks for asking a boxing related question this time. I remember last time you emailed it was nothing but Karate mumbo jumbo. I look forward to reading more boxing related emails from you in the future. Caio!
Karl Returns
Hey Brian, was surprised you were able to fit my whole email in your latest boxing mailbag. I also like the witty title you gave to it. Thanks a lot for always giving us insightful answers and interesting discussions. And sure, it’s my pleasure to write that out and send it in.
I enjoyed every bit of the mailbag, including the “bitching” [laughs] over Bute-Berrio, Sturm-Griffin, Mijares-Gorjux bouts. Be writing another email soon. Glad to hear that you thought of giving Pacquiao a “decent shot” for a victory over Juan Diaz. Thanks again!
-Karl
Karl,
You are a true friend of this mailbag, even if the ?decent shot? comment was a bit tongue in cheek. Take care.
A Fan?s Distaste For Pedro
I’m writing this piece to address my distaste for Pedro Fernandez who writes for another website. He wrote in his column that Manny Pacquiao will never get a win against Juan Diaz if they fight & he also said that Manny is ducking fighters that he only picks easy prey & after writing bad things about the Pacman he left a note below his article saying that he was a former police man, an award winning writer & a four-time Golden Gloves winner, then I asked him is it necessary to put all that crap in there? Is it to impress or scare me? I mean no one is interested in his personal achievements, the only reason I read his article is that it?s about Pacman, I also asked him what makes his prediction more credible when the last time he predicted that Manny will lose 10 times to Morales?
When he responded to me he wrote that I don’t know anything about boxing, that I should watch more fights and learn how to score rounds. Look, I never even said that Manny would win that fight but he was so firm that he never gave Pacman a chance to win and how could he think so little of me? How could you say all of those thing to me you don’t even know me! Pedro thinks he?s a boxing expert? I’ll post this question again, what makes you more credible with your so-called predictions now after the Morales Pacquiao fight? He even removed the portion on his article where I could leave a comment about his new article, why are you scared? If you know this guy please. Let him read this!!
-Mark
Mark,
Sounds like Pedro is doing his hardest to avoid eating crow after his Morales vs. Pacquiao prediction! I?m sorry that Pedro said that about you. His response to you was unprofessional. You are not the first person to have a run in with Pedro. He is the drama king of the boxing world. I know that he has lost at least one lawsuit for making up stories about people, which suggests that when there is no real dirt to write about in his articles he makes it up. Mr. Fernandez obviously thinks that Pacquiao is overrated although I also would pick Juan Diaz to defeat Pacquiao. The difference between him and I is that I concede that Pacquiao at least has a shot.
P4P #9 Kelly Pavlik
I like Kelly Pavlik?s style. I want to see him fight more. He is going to be a superstar in the near future.
-James Claud
James,
I like him too. He is as good as he is fun to watch, and that is pretty darn good.
Record Padding In Thailand
Do you observe the records of Thailand boxing stars? They keep on winning against low rated fighters. What do you think they’re up to? To earn winning records? They didn’t even fight outside their country! I think they would lose if they do. Like Pramuansak Posuwan, he got his previous world title with hometown advantage before losing to a Japanese fighter. The same with Wonjongkam, Sasakul, Singsurat, and PABA titlist Vorapin who reportedly beat on low-ranked fighters this week. Do they get media exposure with those kinds of fights they have? I think they don’t deserve world class recognition because they don’t even fight world class fighters. What’s your opinion with that?
-Jhed
Jhed,
I agree with you. Anyone who has read my columns before knows that the fighters that I criticize the most are the ones who consistently fight a poor level of opposition. The match making in Thailand is worse than any other country I have seen. It is not uncommon for a world champion to get matched up against a novice with a losing record. No wonder that more boxing related deaths per fight have happened in Thailand compared to any other country within the last decade.
I only give fighters credit for fighting quality ranked opponents, so many of the Thai fighters than you mention I do not follow or care about. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam is someone who I used to follow, but he has not fought a quality opponent in almost five years now. In his prime he bucked the trend of his countrymen, but as he aged he fought the same scrubs as the other world champs from Thailand.
Pacquiao?s Better Opposition
Good Day to you Brian. This is my first time here in your mailbag. I believe that Juan Diaz has that tremendous speed of combinations that could tear down his opponents. But as I observed with his last fight with Julio Diaz, he only got his combinations of shots just because Julio had forgotten to move his head and body away from the punches of Juan. He just stood there in front of Juan and absorbed every punch that Juan threw at him, an obvious reason why Juan got the chance to display his hand speed.
On the other hand, Pacquiao has already fought Class A opponents who were excellent on defense, especially on those body and head movements. But despite their excellence Manny still managed to bombard them with a lot of combinations from the head going to the body. My point is, hand speed and combinations matters only if they land accurately, and depend to the quality of opponent too, especially defense-oriented fighters like Winky, PBF, Barrera, and JMM. What do you say, Brian?
-Iconic Hand
Mr. Hand,
Pacquiao does have the edge in opposition, but it is not like Diaz is fighting scrubs. Juan has fought a steady stream of world ranked fighters since winning the belt in 2004. Lakva Sim was very highly thought of in boxing circles as a strong slugger when Diaz fought him. Julio Diaz was a top 5 contender with nice stick and move technique. Acelino Frietas was considered a world class fighter by everyone when Diaz fought him. What has been impressive about Juan Diaz is that he has fought many different styles since winning his title and no one has even come close to beating him. He has overwhelmed everyone he has fought, including boxers, punchers, sluggers, counterpunchers, you name it.
Diaz has proved that he can land his fast, accurate combinations not just against punching bags and journeymen, but against world class opposition as well. I am not saying that Diaz is unbeatable. He is far from it. I just wanted to dispute your claim that Diaz has only fought guys who are tailor made for him. When I envision Pacquiao vs. Diaz I imagine that Pacquiao is on the defensive. It will be hard for Manny to be able to trade with Diaz punch for punch unless when he settles into lightweight he becomes even stronger.
Pacquiao?s Strategy Against Diaz
When you said in your last reply that Manny has no business fighting David Diaz and that it would be best that he fight the best in Juan Diaz, well I would just like to emphasize my point on why I want Manny to test the waters first. I recall when Manny fought Erik the first time, it was also Manny’s first fight at 130 lbs. Manny was not as potent as when he was at 126 lbs. He lost in that fight, thus he have a tune-up fight with Velasquez before his rematch with Morales. In his future fight with Juan Diaz, Manny knows not to commit the same mistake. Manny must get himself use to the new weight level before plunging into the lion’s den.
Last week you could not come up with a strategy on how Pacquiao should fight Diaz. Here is my humble strategy. I observe that Manny was very effective against Barrera when he used rhythm, by going in and out. Juan is only effective if he is close to his opponent or when his opponent is on the ropes. If Manny does the same against Juan, Juan will be frustrated all night unless he bullies himself to get into Manny. He can certainly do that because he covers his face effectively and with bigger body, Manny cannot go toe to toe with him. However his bullying tactics can only be effective if Manny goes to the ropes. But what if Manny just dances away using lateral movements? Juan will be at a loss how to catch up with him. Manny would attack using several combinations then be gone the moment Juan counters. Juan has slow reflexes and is not a very good counter puncher.
Once he taste Manny’s power, he would be forced to cover himself. My observation in Juan’s fight with Julio is that Juan was fast with his hands because he can muster Julio’s punches. His confidence was so high that he could fire at will, especially since his target was not moving. But with Manny’s style I don’t think he can do that. Well that?s my strategy.
Is it credible enough? What do you think? Thanks again and have a nice Halloween.
-Hardknuckles
Hardknuckles,
That strategy sounds pretty good and is very well thought out. The question is whether or not Pacquiao can sustain success using this strategy with Diaz pressuring him heavily for twelve rounds. Diaz has much more stamina and energy than Barrera did. Still, you plan might be crazy enough to work!
More Pacman vs. Baby Bull
This is in relation to the possible Pacquiao/Juan Diaz fight. Let us talk about Juan’s fight with Julio. As we can see Juan’s defense is his offense but Julio stood in front of Juan to exchanged lots of blows. Now do you think you will see Pacman to do the same like what Julio did? Of course not Pacman is not going to do that. Pacman’s defense is also his offense. The reason why Juan can hit 7 to 8 times was because the target wasn’t moving right? I bet you he can’t hit Pacquiao even 2 to 3 times at a time. If the Pacman lands one or two solid punches for sure Juan will be in trouble.
The reason that it was hard for Manny to make 130 pounds was because of limited time training. He started late in training, then went to the US then moved to Cebu City to train then spend again some time on traveling to go back the Freddie Roach gym. It is 90% sure that Pacquiao will have a consistent training camp in one location, Cebu City, for his next fight.
You will remember this email again once the Pacman knocks out the Baby Bull. Last thing, how can you say that he is bigger than Pacman if both of them will be on the same weight at 135 then their height is almost the same? How tall is Juan? 5’8?? Pacman fought Solis and Morales both taller than him. On this one I think the Pacman will win by decision. Thanks Brian!!
-Supermandie
Supermandie,
I will remember your email if Pacquiao is able to KO Diaz, which I think is very unlikely.
Usually when two fighters whose defense in their offense get in the ring together, they partake in a slugfest. That does not bode well for Pacquiao against Juan Diaz. So to have a good chance tow in, Pacquiao will have to box a bit more than he is used to.
Pacquiao is a natural featherweight. He has been struggling to make weight, but that is unnatural muscle weight, or maybe he is not working hard enough in training camp as you say. In Manny?s fight with Hector Velazquez, he was obviously the smaller man. And that was against a super featherweight, I could just imagine what he would look like compared to a natural lightweight.
I will see everyone next time. Send in your questions and I will put them in next week?s mailbag. Keep them coming people and have a good one!
