Isn’t it amazing how fast some people have forgotten some of the epic wars that Manny Pacquiao had to get through in order to get where he is at today. In a recent article written by Alex Groberman, he calls Pacquiao a “paper champion” and accuses him of “selling out” the fans, and “milking his fans” by taking the fight Vs. Shane Mosley.
The writer accuses Pacquiao of taking easy fights instead of risking a loss against a more “legitmate opponent.” Well then, let’s take a look at who would be a more legitimate opponent. The obvious of course is Floyd Mayweather Jr, and that’s not going to happen anytime soon. Who else is Mr Groberman alluding to? Sergio Martinez? Possibly, but wait a second. Let us not forget something here. Pacquiao was 106lbs when he turned professional, so we can’t just toss aside the size differences here.
Pacquiao has done well against Cotto, De La Hoya, Hatton, Clottey, and Margarito. All of these are much bigger opponents and yet Pacquiao prevailed. So does anyone have a legitmate argument to make if Pacquiao takes a fight Vs. Mosley?
Marquez or Martinez are two guys that this writer would like to see Manny take on, but just because he isn’t going to this time doesn’t mean that he’s a “paper champion” or “selling out his fans” by taking on someone else. Where was Groberman when Mosley took on Mayweather? I didn’t read any articles by him calling Mayweather a sell-out.
Pacquiao’s epic wars Vs Marquez, Barrera, and Morales automatically dismisses anyone’s ridiculous labeling of Pacquiao as being a sell-out. Are you kidding me? All Manny has done was to destroy all of the Mexican legends in his path, and then he moved up in weight and wiped out world champions in 8 different divisions. This is a guy that deserves to be called a “paper champion” and a “sell-out?” Get real.
Mississippians that I spoke to about Manny’s amazing accomplishments in boxing all agree that they are….just that, amazing. I spoke to a Pacquiao fan who is from the Philippines. His name is David, and he currently lives in Jackson, MS. I asked him to comment on those who criticize Manny Pacquiao, “I don’t know why or how anyone can say anything negative about Manny. He’s a great man that not only has given hope to us Filipinos, but he has also brought the sport of boxing back from near death.”
So why would someone label Pacquiao a paper champion? And why would someone accuse the man of selling out his fans? I just write about it, I’ll let you, the readers decide the rest.
