conclusion)
LEAPFROGGING weight divisions is a mean feat indeed, but the evidence also suggests it?s doable. The following examples readily come to mind.
Roberto Duran moved up from lightweight to out-duel welterweight champ Sugay Ray Leonard.
Shane Mosely also moved up to welterweight to beat De La hoya himself via split decision.
Of course, Roy Jones etched himself into boxing immortality when he jumped from light heavyweight to heavyweight to soundly defeat clutchmaster John Ruiz.
But do the foregoing precedents find application in Manny?s case?
To me, it?s a long shot brother.
While moving up weight divisions is a natural progression for boxers as they get older, in Manny?s case the decision to fight at welterweight can hardly be referred to as a natural progression.
It?s all about money, not Manny.
We all know that Manny started his career at junior flyweight (108 pounds) and gradually worked his way up the divisions. But could it be that the lightweight division is as far as Manny should go?
Duran was a big boned lightweight and stood 5-foot-7. He could carry the weight well as in fact he eventually moved up all the way to super-middleweight although with limited success.
He also fought several times as a junior welter and as a welter before the Leonard fight. Hence, he certainly wasn?t a manufactured welterweight.
Shane Mosely stands 5-foot-9 and started his career already at lightweight.
As good as Manny is, he is no Roy Jones Jr. and no matter how I look at it, De La Hoya will not be Pacquiao?s John Ruiz.
On the other side of the fence are the fighters who moved up and came up short.
Alexis Arguello failed to annex a junior welterweight crown, while Felix Trinidad came up short against Bernard Hopkins at middleweight. Or how about Sugar Ray Robinson?arguably the greatest fighter of all time?who could not beat light heavyweight Joey Maxim.
Sometimes a boxer?s punch doesn?t travel with him when he moves up, or even if it does, the power isn?t enough to topple bigger, stronger opponents.
UNDERESTIMATING OSCAR. If the fight pushes through, I sure hope Arum, Roach and company know what they?re doing.
I?m a fight connoisseur and like you guys, I abhor mismatches. Even those involving fighters of the same weight class.
In boxing, all it takes is one good punch for a career to end in devastating fashion. I?m not gonna overplay the danger angle, but neither am I ignoring it.
Arum, Roach and company are committing a very fundamental mistake in fighting. Never underestimate your opponent.
LATINO LAST ROUNDER. The Last Round is not sparing Oscar De La Hoya from my diatribe either. Hey Oscar, whatever happened to your vow of fighting the ?loudest and biggest dog in the yard? for a fitting finale?
But I will allow Last Rounder Marvin Martinez [email protected] to do the tongue lashing for me:
?Excellent article on Sun.Star. Yes, Oscar should be fighting Margarito instead of taking advantage of Manny?s smaller size and the fact that Manny is too proud and brave to turn down a fight with Oscar. I will be one of many Latinos rooting for Manny especially because Oscar is being a coward for not facing a man his own size. Manny has a chance to beat Oscar especially since Oscar is 35, but logically I see Oscar might KO or hurt Manny badly simply because he is much too big for Manny. I hope the fight is not made because I want to see Manny continue his good reputation fighting guys his own size. Honestly, I would love for Margarito to brutalize Oscar so he can retire and allow more deserving fighters like Manny and Margarito to get the attention and money they deserve.?
LAST ROUND. It?s on two welcome additions to the Siu family of Baybay Leyte. Ellie Nicole born to Alan and Liezl and Miguel, born to Janet and Manny. Cheers !
