When I spoke with famed fight trainer Freddie Roach the other day, I was surprised a bit by his suggestion that Marcos Maidana would be a worthy opponent for Manny Pacquiao. The more I think about it the more I like it. Maidana is one of those guys that is tough as nails, and he keeps coming forward. He wont back up, and Manny Pacquiao darn sure isn’t backing up either.
Maidana would have to be knocked out, it’s the only way the guy will stop fighting. Pacquiao would throw his usual thousand punches, and Maidana would press forward throwing his own arsenal. It would be an exciting fight that should be considered as a future possibility.
Roach also told this writer that Shane Mosley should not be taken lightly at all. Mosley is coming off two of his worst efforts, one being against Sergio Mora, and of course the beat-down that he took Vs. Floyd Mayweather. Even with those two back to back losses, Roach says that people need not take him lightly. I will add this, Mosley may have some gas left in the tank, and he better, because he’s going to need it.
Personally I just don’t see how Mosley will be able to deal with Manny’s speed. Mosley is pretty quick himself, but I don’t think he possesses the same speed as Pacquiao. Shane can still hit hard so Manny will need to be ready for that, but you fans know as I do that Freddie Roach will have the plan, and Manny will execute it.
If Mosley does pull off the upset, that would send some shock-waves throughout the boxing world that’s for sure. Roach jokingly told this writer, “Maybe that’s one way Mayweather will finally agree to fight Manny. Maybe if Manny loses to Shane, Floyd will quit hiding on us.” Of course he was just joking, but hmmmmm?
I spoke with a few boxing fans at the Last Call Sports Bar in Jackson yesterday. Most of them truly feel that Pacquiao will not only defeat Mosley, but he will dominate him. Tim Harper of Morton, MS has been a boxing fan for decades. He is a Mosley fan but has concerns about this fight Vs. Pacquiao, “Shane in his prime would give Manny Pacquiao trouble. The problem is that Shane is way past his prime, and he does not have a chance against Pacquiao. Manny is in his prime, and Shane is not, period.”
Mosley finally has his chance, but just like Freddie Roach said, “Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it.”
