WEIGHT WOES & STAMINA NOW AN ISSUE
San Francisco, CA- Those of you that are boxing purists and not Manny Pacquiao fanatics will find merit in this observation. Having followed boxing for a lot longer than most of you have been breathing, you should know that fighters in the lighter weights usually hit their peak by the age of 28. That being said, all indications are that the Pacman has hit his zenith at the age of 29.
A SKINNY KID FROM GENERAL SANTOS CITY
Having turned professional in January 1995 against the nondescript Edmund Ignacio, this pugilistic indoctrination occurred when Pacquiao was a mere 16-year old kid that hit the scale around 107 lbs. With the exception of a knockout loss (KO 3) to Rustico Torrecampo some 13 months after the Ignacio fight, the Pacman was on his way to his first title, the WBC 112 lb. trinket in December 1998 in Thailand with a 8th round KO of the formidable champion Chatchai Sasakul.
MANNY HAD WON TWO TITLES AT 21!
Having the green title belt wrapped around his waist in what was his 24th pro fight, the Pacman was only 19-years old at the time. Dropping the title after just one defense, a weight strained Pacquiao was again halted in three, this time by Medgeon Singsarat. Seven fights later Pacquiao, now 21 years old was a last minute substitute and decisive underdog facing Lehlo Ledwaba in Las Vegas. Less than six rounds later, the Pacman was the IBF 122 lb. titleholder.
UNDERDOG MEETS THE GREAT BARRERA
After three defenses, Pacquiao, again an underdog, stepped in against Marco Antonio Barrera on November 15, 2003. After pummeling the fabled Mexican warrior from pillar to post from the outset, the fight was mercifully stopped in the 11th round. This was truly one of, if not the first ?defining? moment for Manny Pacquiao. This was the fight that made Manny a pugilistic superstar.
THEN CAME THE MORALES TRILOGY
Now 24, Manny was still as focused as he needed to be. After a points loss to Erik Morales in early 2005, the Pacman would take on (and beat) the pedestrian Hector Velazquez, this before winning a rematch with ?El Terrible? Morales (TKO 10) in January 2006. Facing former World 122 lb. champ Oscar Larios at home in the Philippines on July 2nd, Pac tore up Oscar before winning a 12-round decision in July.
TWICE STOPPED ERIK IN TERRIBLE FASHION
Erik Morales clamored for another shot and his wish came true in November 2006. Opening up a can of ?ass whip,? Manny sprayed Erik from the outset, this before stopping the mighty Mexican, who himself was a three division champion. inside of three rounds. Although already an icon in his native Philippines, it was this third fight with Morales that cemented Manny?s stature worldwide.
SPENT MORE TIME PLAYING POOL IN 2007!
With only two fights in 2007, Pac, as his fans refer to him, beat Jorge Solis before again throttling Marco Antonio Barrera in their November rematch. This brings to a fortnight ago and his split decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez, the same JMM that held Manny to a draw in 2004.
TWO GREAT JUDGES SIX POINTS APART
The fight was controversial seeing two of the most prolific boxing judges of our time, Duane Ford and Jerry Roth were six points apart with Ford tabbing Pac the victor at 115-112, while Roth had JMM up 115-112 after 12 rounds.
SUMMING UP 13 YEARS OF PRO FIGHTS
Now having chronicled the career of the once skinny kid from General Santos City in the Philippines, I will now go back to the question at hand, and that is has the Pacman reached his zenith? If my opinion, backed by almost 40 years of boxing acumen, I think he has. The fact that he struggled to make 130 lbs. for Marquez, and then watching him falter stamina wise down the stretch with JMM, this again to me, is a clear indication that the Pacman has lost a little.
PEDRO ANSWERS THE $64,000 QUESTION
It is no disgrace, not something he should or could be criticized for, it is just fact in my mind. Few fighters have accomplished what Manny Pacquiao has in 13 years as a professional fighter. And while I?m sure he will push forward as a boxer, his best days seem certainly behind him in my mind.
