WITH Manny Pacquiao?s maiden appearance in the lightweight division (135lbs) just a few days away, questions abound on whether or not PacMan?s vaunted punching power will suffer a noticeable dip as he moves up to another weight class.
The apprehensions are not entirely without basis. Pacquiao has gone the distance three times in his last five fights. Pacquiao last scored a knockout in April 2007, when he stopped Jorge Solis in San Antonio, Texas. He has gone the full 12-round distance in his last two fights against Marco Antonio Barrera (October 2007) and Juan Manuel Marquez (March 2008).
History is replete with stories of great boxers who suffered devastating defeats as they moved up in weight and challenged bigger men. Wilfredo Gomez, Alexis Arguello, Bob Foster, Gabriel Elorde, Sugar Ray Robinson and Oscar De La Hoya are some of the fighters that come to mind. A boxer?s reflexes usually slow down as he puts on weight and leaves his comfort zone. Then comes the diminution in power. Faced with a bigger adversary, the punch of a fighter who moves up in weight usually does not carry the same sock.
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao?s trainer, believes PacMan is the exception to the general rule.
?I think his power has increased if anything,? Roach told the website fightfan.com. ?He?s got more energy and seems to be carrying more power in his shots.?
Roach reveals that Pacquiao has been walking around at 144lbs. ?He is right where we want him. He?ll be 135 by fight time,? assured Roach. ?His power and speed are coming very well.?
Roach reveals that Pacquiao is making a smooth transition to the heavier lightweight division.
?He?s able to eat a little more so he?s not starving himself as much as was the case when we were looking to make 130lbs. And it?s definitely translated to Manny having more energy,? said the highly respected trainer.
Pacquiao, 46-3, 35 knockouts, has been fighting as a jr. lightweight since 2005, when he first fought Erik Morales. He has struggled to meet the division limit of 130lbs in his last two fights, prompting the move to the lightweight class.
Pacquiao figured in his last 12-round sparring session Wednesday and training is expected to taper down as the showdown with Diaz nears.
Diaz, the defending WBC lightweight champ, also doesn?t buy the idea that Pacquiao will have difficulty fighting at 135lbs.
?I think we?ll match up well in terms of weight,? said Diaz. ?I looked at Manny and he walks around pretty heavy so I think we are evenly matched in terms of size. With that said I believe this will come down to conditioning. Whoever is in better condition will win the fight.
?I expect he will be fast and powerful and in great shape. I don?t think him moving up five pounds is a concern for him.?
