ESPN’s Teddy Atlas once again shook up the land of Pacman with some comments last night about the pound for pound king, Manny Pacquiao. Atlas just isn’t very impressed with the choice of opponents that Pacquiao has faced over the past few years. He listed guys like Cotto, Margarito, De La Hoya, Hatton, Clottey etc… He had a reason why each opponent was tailor made for Pacquiao, and gave very little credit to the former 106lb Pacquiao for defeating each of them.
Atlas has a reputation within the Filipino world as a “Pacquiao hater” and his comments last night certainly didn’t help that any. The comments that he made have spread like wild fire throughout the social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Not everybody is mad at Atlas though. Many boxing fans, particularly in America agree with what he said. There’s also a growing amount of fans in America that are becoming more curious about the whole steroid issue. ESPN showed a previously recorded interview that was conducted by Teddy Atlas and Brian Kenny with Manny Pacquiao. Atlas had his opportunity to bring up the steroid question to Manny right there, so I’m wondering why he didn’t?
Pacquiao detractors agree with Atlas. Many of them do feel that the opponents that Pacquiao has faced were all guys either washed up or guys with little to no speed.
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Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr has been accused of cherry picking opponents. Pacquiao critics fire back with the same accusations. When Brian Kenny asked Atlas last night who else is out there for Pacquiao that he hasn’t fought yet, Atlas stumbled for a few seconds, then brought up Timothy Bradley’s name. Kenney responded and told Atlas that Pacquiao fought just about everybody there is to fight, and that he really isn’t ducking anyone. Atlas agreed to a point, and said that he doesn’t really blame Pacquiao. Advertisement
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What’s Mississippi think about all of this? I got out this morning and headed to my local barber shop. What better place to talk some boxing? Kevin Barnes, a Brandon, MS resident agrees with Atlas. Barnes also has his concerns about steroids in boxing, “Look man, all I am saying is that if Pacquiao isn’t taking steroids then why doesn’t he give a little blood to prove it?” Barnes added, “The only way the fight Vs. Mayweather is going to happen is by Pacquiao giving the blood on a random basis. What’s this guy hiding?’
I also spoke with Jimmy Baker of Pearl, MS. Baker sides with Pacquiao, ” Manny doesn’t have to prove anything. He’s also proven how great he is. He doesn’t even need Floyd Mayweather Jr at this point.”
Atlas knows his boxing, and I am one that enjoys his boxing commentary. He has however showed some signals that he’s not all that impressed with Pacquiao as it pertains to previous opponents.
