In analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of both Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao, it has come to my attention that we are set to potentially witness the highest level of prize fighting so far in 2008. Both men have strengths in abundance while their weaknesses are far and very few between.
While the difference in styles between both men couldn?t possibly be more varied, the depth of their abilities that compliments their styles is on another level of nasty.
Let us take a look at some of the aspects of each combatant?s game leading in to Saturday?s battle starting with the ?Pacman?:
Pros
Punching Power ? The ?Pacman? has very, very solid punching ability. He throws his punches straight and has started to dig his feet into the canvas in recent times in order to gain maximum leverage on delivering his shots. While I wouldn?t necessarily label Pacquiao as a legitimate, one-shot knockout artist, he possesses enough pop in both hands to keep his opponents wary for every second of every round.
Footwork ? There?s been a lot of unwarranted criticism in regards to the Filipino?s footwork and his seemingly propensity to seem off balance at times. It?s part of his style being that when you?re catapulting yourself forward at such an excessive rate of speed, it can seem as though you might be lacking in the footwork department. It?s not the case as Pacquiao has shown some great balance and movement in recent times and even showed that he can move laterally as he did in his bout with Oscar ?Chololo? Larios back in 2006.
Defense ? The defensive aspect of boxing is not always based on avoiding punches and slipping counters. Defense at times can be based on disallowing your opponent from finding a comfortable angle in which to punch in and keeping them on the defensive with your own offensive onslaught. While Pacquiao can tend to get hit from time to time, he has the discipline to keep his chin tucked and guard up which makes him an extremely difficult champion to hurt.
Offense ? I don?t need to explain this. Manny is the best offensive fighter in boxing today. The only man to even come close to this beast is a fellow by the name of Miguel Cotto. As long as the P.I. punisher doesn?t let up on using his strong jab as an offensive weapon, he might go down as one of the top punching machines in a long, long time.
Heart ? Pacquiao has always shown a fighting spirit on par with any of the past and present warriors within boxing. He never backs down and only fights more furiously as he gets hit making for nothing but dramatic, intensity filled bouts from start to finish.
Cons
Composure ? A Manny Pacquiao that follows the instructions of trainer Freddie Roach is virtually unbeatable. Unfortunately for coach Roach, the ?Pacman? can be roughed up and rattled from time to time which affects his ability to follow the necessary instructions to remain effective. We saw it in his bout with Agapito Sanchez, the initial Marquez encounter, and in his first bout with Erik Morales. If I were Nacho Beristain, I?d send ?Dinamita? out to rattle the ?Pacman? by any way possible if you catch my drift…
Ring Entrance Music ? Manny? just go back to ?Eye of the Tiger? as you did when fighting against Sanchez in San Francisco and Morales for the first encounter. The recent music you?ve been entering the ring to has been downright horrible, miserable, and unfathomable.
Haircut ? Manny needs a new barber to keep up with the times. His hair is reminiscent of the look floating around in the early 1990s?
After analyzing these aspects of Manny Pacquiao?s game, it makes me second guess my initial pick of Marquez by decision. The Filipino has indeed become a great and well-balanced fighter so I guess I might be paying to see whether he can solidify his legacy with a win over one of Mexco City?s greatest featherweights of all-time.
Next? Part II outlining Marquez?s strengths and weaknesses.
