DON?T believe what you hear about a sleek Puerto Rican shark named Juan Manuel Lopez, patrolling the lower weight divisions as the beast to watch.
The last time around, before he knocked out Bernabe Concepcion in the third round, the power-punching Pinoy caught him nicely with a left hook that hit him like a sack of bricks.
He got up looking wobblier than my good compa?ero Atty. Noel Archival after having five vodka-bulls for lunch.
Or the claim that a brash, power-punching Australian named Vic Darchinyan is the king of the jungle that comprises the bantamweights down to the straw-weights. Back in 2007, he was separated from his senses by Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire Jr.
Make no mistake about it. With that scintillating performance against the tough and credible Vladimir Sidorenko last Sunday, Nonito Doniare is the apex predator at the lower weights.
If that same uppercut that nearly decapitated Sidorenko in the first round lands smack on Fernando Montiel, it?s going to be an early night in February 2011.
INBOX. Last Rounder Paul Clarin shot me an email a few weeks back regarding his view on who should be Manny Pacquiao?s next opponent.
Here?s Paul:
?Career-wise, it could be Kelly Pavlik for the following reasons:
1. Pavlik is a Top Rank fighter who could generate more money for Arum and Pacquiao.
2. Pavlik fights at 160 pounds. Pacman can fight him at a catch-weight (interim belt) and grab his 9th division title.
To a lesser degree, maybe Pacquiao can fight Andre Berto and collect another WBC belt for his museum but it would be unwise for him to fight Timothy Bradley, Shane Mosley and Devon Alexander.
BERTO. Thanks for your e-mail Paul. Kelly Pavlik could be out of the picture, especially with the spotlight now on his conqueror, Sergio Martinez who is in the running for Fighter of the year honors.
I agree with you that Berto is a very valid and credible opponent for Manny and quite frankly, I?m not sure if he will be easy fodder.
A few columns ago, I promised to continue our feature on possible opponents for Manny, and with Paul?s email, this would be a timely opportunity.
Moreover, Andre Berto fought just last week, and it would seem that this talented Haitian would have wanted us to include that performance in assessing his viability as a possible Pacquiao opponent.
Record ( 27-0, 21 KOs)
Best performances: Berto looked impressive in stopping talented lefty Carlos Quintana in eight rounds last April, but he looked pretty scary in destroying Freddy Hernandez in 2 minutes last week.
Style: Comes forward behind a thudding jab and a booming right hand. Good mix of puncher-boxer instincts with power in both hands.
Viability: A-
I believe this is the fight that true hardcore fans want to see, in lieu of a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight. Berto matches up well with Manny because he has terrific hand speed, and comes forward with an aggressive fan-friendly approach.
However the promoters do not view the boxing world through the same lenses as we do, so Berto might be in the back burner as far as legacy and financial underpinnings go.
Berto is a young, hungry and excellent fighter who has a pretty decent chance of beating Pacquiao. Unfortunately, he has yet to prove his value as a marquee pay-per-view attraction.
His fan base is expanding, but right now it may not be big enough.
LAST ROUND. It?s on Pureza ?Ampog? Mangubat, who celebrates her birthday this week.
Cheers!
