IS MANNY IN RIGHT FRAME OF MIND?
San Francisco, CA- Since Manny Pacquiao?s second straight knockout win over rival and ex-champion, Erik Morales, the chagrin of fans and friends alike, switched promoters, canceled a bout in Macau, and now has placed his name on the ballot for a congressional seat in the South Cotabato district in the Philippines. In December, Bob Arum, Top Rank boss, gained Pacquiao?s confidence and arranged Manny?s next fight, a 12-round bout against unknown, undefeated, Jorge Solis. The bout is slated to occur April 14th on Pay-Per-View; without the monetary backings of HBO or Showtime.
BOUT IS NOT LIKE FIRST MORALES FIGHT
Shortly after Pacquiao made his decision to stay with Top Rank, lawsuits quickly followed to no surprise of Top Rank, Golden Boy Promotions (who possesses a contract signed by Pacquiao), and Team Pacquiao. Golden Boy Promotions attempted to place an injunction on Pacquiao?s fight against, which was denied, making this ?tune-up? go forward, uninterrupted.
PAC FANS DON?T LIKE ARUM EITHER!
Paclanders all over the Internet and in the Philippines have had growing concerns about Pacquiao?s mental awareness and focus when it comes to Jorge Solis. The main concern is that a bid for political office, opposed to by many Pacquiao fans, will distract Manny, causing him to lose in his first bout in 2007 after being named 2006 Fighter of the Year. During the week of Pacquiao?s loss to Erik Morales over twelve rounds back in March 2005, there were distractions and controversies by the dozens. Pacquiao dumped his promoter, Murad Muhammad, who along with other mistreatments, denied Pacquiao his share of Pay-Per-View earnings, as well as allow a clause in the fight contract, that required Pacquiao to wear gloves made by Winning (see bitch gloves) instead of the Reyes gloves Manny preferred.
IS SOLIS A BUM? SHOULD PAC FANS WORRY?
Along with reports of dozen of Pacquiao supporters cramming into Pacquiao?s small hotel room, it became obvious that Manny had more important things on his mind besides Erik Morales on that night. This bout in two weeks does not nearly compare to the hurdles Manny faced in the first Morales fight.
WILL POLITICAL DREAMS MOTIVATE MANNY?
Putting the world of the Pacman into context, politics should be a welcomed ?distraction.? Manny Pacquiao will always have some sort of drama in his life, surrounding every professional bout. It has become difficult to spend one week without hearing about some sort controversy that surrounds Pacquiao. Recently, stories have surfaced about a bidding war over the television rights to Pacquiao?s next fight. Solar Sports, who have televised Pacquiao fights in the past and televise many shows promoted by MP Promotions, won the bidding the war. ABS-CBN, who aired Pacquiao?s last couple of fights including the international coverage of Pacquiao?s fight against Oscar Larios in 2006, voiced their disappointment that Pacquiao did not return to ABS-CBN. These stories may drive Paclanders crazy but no one can deny that if anything, these constant stories bring interest and intrigue that is hard to find in any other athlete. At the center of all the stories is Manny Pacquiao, who has grown more than accustom to dealing with issues beyond his conquests in the ring. Pacquiao often spends thousands of dollars on tickets and signs autographs for at least three hours after fights, yet he continues to dominate his division without any signs of negative effects.
CAN MANNY WIN ELECTION IF SOLIS WINS FIGHT?
In the 12th district in California, my district, Congressman Tom Lantos is currently serving his 14th term as a house representative (almost 28 years in Congress). Therefore, it is difficult for any candidate to remove the incumbent of a congressional seat from office. Pacquiao has to overcome huge odds in order to snatch away the congressional seat from Antonino-Custodio. The pressure is on for Pacquiao, as a loss to Jorge Solis would not only push his boxing career back several steps but kill any chance for him to win his election one month after his fight.
REPORTS FROM WILD CARD SAY MANNY IS READY
Arriving in Los Angeles on March 17th, Pacquiao is in the final stages of training camp at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. His bout against Solis will only be the third time trainer Freddie Roach has not been the lead voice in between rounds since the two hooked up in May of 2001. Roach was not in the corner in Pacquiao?s two fights in the Philippines against Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym and Serikzhan Yeshmagambetov. However, there is a possibility Roach could fly out and work Manny?s corner. According to Pacman enforcer Rob Peters, the chances are 50-50 as he heard that ?Golden Boy may plan a big press conference on the day of Manny?s fight so Freddie may not make it to San Antonio.? However, in Peters? eyes, strength and conditioning trainer and former heavyweight fighter, Justin Fortune, who has worked with Pacquiao since 2002, is ?more than capable of working this fight?.
AUSSIE SENSATION WORKING WITH MANNY
Lenny Zappavigna has been a regular sparring partner to help prepare Manny Pacquiao for Jorge Solis. Zappavigna, an Australian native, and an amateur stand out is considered by many writers in Australia as their best prospect and best kept secret. In Winsor Dobbin?s piece for the Sydney Morning Herald back in January, Billy Hussein, who helps manage Zappavigna and trains Vic Darchiniyan, was quoted as saying that the 19-year-old is ?making progress and a world title is not beyond him.? Zappavigna, a lightweight (135 lbs.) at 6-0 (4 KOs), is scheduled to see action on the Blaze of Glory undercard on April 14th.
?BOOM-BOOM? KNOWS WHAT IS AT STAKE
The Philippines? most treasured prospect, Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista, will attempt to solidify his mandatory position in the eyes of the WBO super bantamweight rankings, facing #2 contender Sergio Manuel Medina on the undercard of Oscar De La Hoya?s fight (can we even call it a fight?) against Floyd Mayweather. Bautista?s last four fights were against older fighters who had experience. The opponents were supposed to provide Rey Bautista a preview of what the competition will be like once at the top. Now, for Bautista to challenge for a title, he?ll over to overcome Argentina?s number one prospect in Medina, who is as green and as hungry for a title as Boom-Boom. In a conversation with both Boom-Boom and the winner of the ?Flash Elorde trainer of the year award, Edito Villamor, at the airport in the Philippines, they both understand the importance of this fight and that a bout against Daniel Ponce De Leon, is up for grabs. Bautista desperately wants to bring a world title to Cebu as well as the only Filipino World champion and understands that he needs winning performance on this year?s biggest stage against an opponent who Villamor describes ?as very good and tough, which is why he is undefeated?. Remember, Manny Pacquiao knocked out Jorge Julio in the second round on the undercard of Lennox Lewis? beating of Mike Tyson in 2002. ?Boom-Boom? is hoping for a similar result.
?THE PINOY?S? QUICK JABS
PINOY BOXER DIES IN THAILAND: It?s hard to imagine why the promoters, managers, and respective boxing commissions, approved and allowed Lito Sisnorio to step into the ring against former World champ Chatchi Sasakul, just two months after getting stopped in the fourth round against reigning WBC flyweight (112 lbs.) champion, Ponsaklek Wongjongkam. Sisnorio died after the bout in a hospital and the spit is about to hit the fan. According to Ronnie Nathanielsz of PhilBoxing, the Games & Amusement Board (GAB) chairman, Eric Buhain, plans to place a ban on any and all Filipino fighters from fighting in Thailand. With all the criticism boxing commissions have faced here in the United States, it safe to say that a travesty like this, which could have been avoided, would not happen here. Most boxing commissions suspend a fighter at least 90 days before even considering allowing the fighter to return to the ring?.JOE CAN?T MATCH LACY PERFORMANCE: Rarely do fighters ever have a ?perfect? twelve round fight, especially in title bouts. Winky Wright had one such night against Felix Trinidad in 2005, losing only one round on the official scorecards. In a much more exciting and dominating ?surprise? performance, World 168 lb. champ Joe Calzaghe schooled, out fought, and darn near ran Jeff Lacy out of the ring over 12 rounds. Calzaghe?s March 2006 performance solidified his hall of fame status and jolted him into the pound for pound ranks. No fighter gain as much in one bout as Calzaghe did against Lacy. In his follow up performance, debuting on HBO, Calzaghe looked sluggish in a sub par performance against an awkward challenger. This Saturday, he?ll take on Peter Manfredo Jr. , finalist of the first Contender season. After getting jobbed against Sergio Mora in their rematch, Manfredo scored two spectacular knockouts against an over the hill Scott Pemberton and the inexperienced Joey Spina. Manfredo will now jump from the swallow end of the pond into the deep blue sea, taking on the super middleweight champion. However, for Joe Calzaghe, he?ll have to leave an impression similar to the Jeff Lacy fight but that?s a tall order to accomplish. JHONNY DOESN?T MISS A BEAT: After an unsuccessful attempt at the WBC 122 lb. crown against Israel Vasquez last September, current WBO 118 lb. king Jhonny Gonzalez returned to form by stopping former long time flyweight ruler Irene Pacheco. Although Gonzalez has the height and skill to win titles in higher weight classes, Gonzalez? chin can not stand up to the current crop of talent in the 122 lb. division?featuring power punchers like Rafael Marquez, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Israel Vasquez, and Celestino Caballero. However, at 118lbs, Gonzalez can rule that division for years to come. Next up for Jhonny could be Gerry Penalosa, who went 12 competitive rounds with Ponce De Leon in his last fight. Many believe that since Penalosa performed so well against the much bigger Ponce De Leon, he?ll have a much easier time dispatching Jhonny Gonzalez. Although Gonzalez does not pack the same intensity in one punch as Ponce De Leon, the WBO titlist is very skilled and can fight going forward and backwards, often pummeling his opponents into submission. Remember, Gonzalez was ahead on the scorecards against Vasquez, dropping Vasquez twice before getting knocked out in the tenth round.
