San Francisco, CA- Manny Pacquiao is not overrated, nor is he a creation of the media. The native of General Santos City in the Philippines, Manny fought his way to the top of the 130 lb. division, after doing the same at 126, 122 & 112 lbs. In March, I anticipate him being a ?little? too much for Juan Manuel Marquez (48-3, 35 KOs). When the Filipino phenomenon fought Marquez to a controversial draw in 2004, Manny didn?t have a right hand. Throwing and landing nothing but his ?money? punch (the left cross), Manny by dropping Juan thrice took on the tag of being ?a one-armed bandit.?
MONEY PUNCH ALMOST ENDS THINGS
In the time since Pacquiao (45-3, 35 KOs) has gotten a lot better. When he?s in tip-top shape (Marco Antonio Barrera II not) Manny is the total punching package. Now utilizing the right hand as a range finding jab, and turning it over into a thunderous right hook, when Pacquiao puts it all together there probably isn?t a 130 lb. fighter that can take it. Fights with undefeated (23-0, 23 KOs) Edwin Valero and Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs), the WBA & WBO champs would be superfights.
MEGA FIGHTS CAN BE BUILT QUICKLY
Matches with Guzman or Valero later this year could be tremendous matches that contrary to what one promoter says, would be great pay per view numbers. Mexican fight fans are backing Marquez obviously, but as one man told me of late. ?Pacquiao is probably too fast for Marquez, so he beats him.? I?ll concede that Manny, sans any major head trips in training, will probably KO Marquez in this rematch.
HATTON FIGHT COULD BE PAC SUICIDE!
Last week, I caught an Internet report with Pacquiao?s promoter Bob Arum. He confirmed that World 140 lb. champ Ricky Hatton (43-1, 31 KOs) had had serious discussions with HBO regarding a match with Manny Pacquiao later this year. All due respect to Manny, fighting Hatton would be suicidal at 140 lbs. There is also chatter Of lightweights (135) David Diaz and to a lesser extent Juan Diaz, all provided he defeat Marquez.
PAC NEED SETTLE MATTERS AT 130 LBS.
Both Diaz and Hatton, their perspective teams as well feel that Manny would be a ?huge? payday and an easy fight. It seems as if Manny is not so confident of being able to beat Guzman or Valero. Talks of matches with Juan Diaz or Ricky Hatton, both of whom pack enough wallop to stop Manny could turn ugly fast. Manny needs to prove that in this world of fragmented title belts, that he is indeed the best guy at 130 lbs. before moving up to 135 or 140.
