LAS VEGAS, Nevada — No single peddler of talent, no matter how shrewd and seasoned, could sell Manny Pacquiao the way Murad Muhammad does.
Murad, as most Pinoy fight fans must know by now, is Pacquiao’s promoter in the US.
As part of the Muhammad Ali entourage that came to the Philippines for the Thrilla in Manila classic in 1975, Murad knows what great boxing talent is.
You bet the man has seen them all.
But Murad’s mouth could not help but water, as though he’s lusting for something succulent and sweet, whenever he speaks of Pacquiao.
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Man, oh man, he’s a miracle worker, Murad swooned when asked the other day if he had seen improvement in Pacquiao since the last time.
Don’t call it improvement, Murad explained.
He just keeps adding a new dimension to his game each day, Murad said, he keeps getting better and better.
Not only that. Murad said Pacquiao doesn’t know how to get tired.
And he loves working hard, very hard.
Murad said Pacquiao is, in truth a 20-round fighter, very, very rare.
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Look, he continued, Ali, Foreman, Roy Jones, I’ve been with them, but these greats also get tired.
He said these greats also pause and take their time in training.
Not Pacquiao, Murad explained, his eyes rolling in delight.
Pacquiao breathes through his ears, he said.
The way Murad had observed it, Pacquiao is a miracle.
In the final week of training at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood alone, Pacquiao sparred at least three times for 12 successive rounds.
But, after each sparring, he would cap his regimen with over 12 rounds of shadow boxing, punching the mitts, calisthenics, etc.
His handlers said Pacquiao works no less than 25 full rounds each day he goes to the gym.
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This only means one thing. If his opponent wants to beat Pacquiao, he cannot try it in the area of stamina or staying power.
There’s a better part to shoot at if Juan Manuel Marquez hopes to win on Saturday.
Yes, Pacquiao has a weakness, an easy spot that could be exploited.
Modesty aside, this reporter knows about it.
But, as in the secret weapon which Pacquiao claimed he has perfected with trainer Freddie Roach, that soft, soggy losing spot will have to remain hidden.
Sorry about that. But to the truly curious, here’s a hint: the weak spot is not a spot at all.
It’s more of a principle, an old, bad habit that could work against Pacquiao.
But, first of all, the aspirant must succeed in pushing Pacquiao to re-embrace that old fault.
Yes, Pacquiao, despite the growing odds, the obvious edge in skill, speed, stamina and power, is not unbeatable.
Unfortunately for his foe, Pacquiao is fully informed about his secret weakness.
