Time to Give Manny Pacquiao the Respect he Deserves
It’s time the so-called boxing experts and media types gave Manny Pacquiao the respect he deserves. Sure, the fans are entitled to their opinions and there’s always going to be two stands on every debate. But those who know the sport should be thankful that Pacquiao’s on the scene and is living up to his and of the bargain when it comes to be a world champion.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the 1970s when boxers used to earn their money by fighting several times a year. Some guys enter the ring just once a year these days, but at least Pacquiao tries to appease his fans by lacing up the gloves at least twice every 12 months. All the talk about ducking opponents is garbage.
Just do the math here. With Pacquiao fighting twice a year it’s impossible to take on everybody the experts want to see. If he fights Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito, as he did last year, they accuse him of ducking Mayweather and Marquez. If he fights Shane Mosley, as he’s going to do on May 7, people say he’s ducking Andre Berto, etc. There’s no end to it. Let’s face it, he can’t fight everybody.
Actually, when you compare who some of the other world champions are fighting, Pacquiao should be praised for his choice of opponents. Just take a look at the Klitschko’s for example. The heavyweight champions of the world. WBC champ Vitali has taken on guys such as Shannon Briggs, Albert Sosnowski, and Kevin Johnson over the past year or so and he’s going to be facing Odlainer Solis in his next fight on March 19.
While you might need help from the FBI to find out who these guys are, they still have a chance of landing a KO punch that will change boxing history. But the fact is nobody other than their immediate families know who they are. Take a look at the list of Pacquiao’s opponents and they’re all well-known and well-respected fighters.
IBO, IBF, and WBO heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko has taken on the likes of Eddie Chambers, Tony Thompson, and Hasim Rahman over the last couple of years and is going to take on Derek Chisora on April 30. In addition we’ve had the other heavyweight champ, the WBA’s David Haye, taking on Audley Harrison in one of the worst fights in boxing history. At least Pacquiao’s taking on ex-world champions, top-10 fighters, and those who are well known around the world with excellent records.
If Pacquiao decided to take on Ricardo Mayorga, like Miguel Cotto’s going to do, or a faded Erik Morales, who Juan Manuel Marquez is likely to meet, we’d never hear the end of it. But for some reason, Pacquiao’s forever being criticized by certain boxing and media people no matter who he decides to fight.
Pacquiao has fought 57 times as a pro. A total of nine opponents had losing records. However, these all came in his first 19 fights when he was learning his craft. The last time he fought somebody with a losing record was back in 1997 when he was just 19 years old. He’s also fought seven fighters who were previously unbeaten when facing him as well as 14 others who hadn’t lost more than two fights at the time of their meeting.
The only reason I can see for people getting upset with Pacquiao’s choice of opponents is because they rate him as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world even though they may dislike him.
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yes dominate,u know when it all said in done u gta face some brother out there whos got that atheletic ability,those blk american fighters are just playn other sports..but im not mad at bob arum de la hoya didnt fight any real heat until later n his career and thats what pacman is doing...they,have us all fooled, since we been talkn floyed vs pac all the have done is make abt 100 million since then,i mean look at us lol...this fight will happen,and real fighters know manny has never sparred or fought,anybody of the caliber of floyed...he doesnt have prayer...
how can u fight margarito for the 154lb belt and margarito wasnt the champ shane stopped him ant took the title who floyd beat next,then what makes it wosre u fight 4 the 154lb title and the contracts says margarita weight limit is 149..paper champion..when floyd fights pac, pac wont even when a round.a sad day 4 the filp pac fans,not boxing fans,pac fans and then u guys can go back 2 whatever sport u guys use to watch...
manny filpno,fans i luv ur passion 4 ur guy ,but u guys having been watching the sport 4 all of 5 years u know nothing abt the sport boxing ur just fans,how can manny b the 8 time world champ he fought margarito 4 the 154 pound belt,uh last time i checkd mar..wsnt no champion...but since pac paid the 3% sanctioning fee he cn fight 4 the title, we call that a paper champion.57 fights not 1 blk american fighter please,in this sport if u want real respect u gotta fight the brothers period we dominate the sport last time i checked it was pac he called off the fight wth mayweather first cz he was scared of needles,i guess when they do finally fight he wont b scured of needles no more,he had to get himself clean first.. zab judah,berto,bradley,mayweather,hell even old stevie forbes,collazo,just fight a brother stop fighting flat footed mexican style fighters,r u scard of not being the only athlete in the ring?but dont take my word 4 it,if ur n the LA area come on down to the wildcard im there from 9-12 mon-fri ask 4 push freddie uh be workng my hands...everbody n the wildcard knows manny scared of brothers.57 fights nt i brother plz!
Black Americans dominate the sport? Maybe in the 1970s, not now though. Still, there are some good opponents listed here. Judah, Berto, Bradley, Alexander, and Mayweather.
Don't care! whatever they say.....some people can't accept the truth!!! period.
Lets face it! Pacquiao is the Man!! We're lucky that we have witness his greatness.....wake up before it's too late!!! or else you will say this to yourself "What I have done?"
Don't care! whatever they say.....some people can't accept the truth!!! period.
Lets face it! Pacquiao is the Man!! We're lucky that we have witness his greatness.....wake up before it's too late!!! or else you will say this to yourself "What I have done?"
Don't care! whatever they say.....some people can't accept the truth!!! period.
Lets face it! Pacquiao is the Man!! We're lucky that we have witness his greatness.....wake up before it's too late!!! or else you will say this to yourself "What I have done?"
Manny still doesn't have a chance to beat Floyd?
look how sleek the guy is..... Manny can't touch him.... and Manny knows that>>>>
if that's true why can't floyd just fight? what is he afraid for? lets do it! I know Floyd is quick that's why we would like to see it. and no matter happens we both respect them... may the best man win. that's all we want!
I love Manny and I dont miss any of his fights lately, but I also believe he shouldnt have chosen Mosley although I believe its not his fault but Arum's. Bob is clearly looking to make more money than really building Pacquiao's legacy. And though he might say that it was Manny's decision I know he can talk his way into Pac's brain. He should have pushed for the Marquez fight, I understand that Marquez overpriced himself but why stop there? Bob should have cleared it with Marquez or Golden Boy if they have any plans of altering it since it sounds really rediculous, but you know what I think? I think the moment bob arum saw the offer from Marquez he almost broke his face with a smile and said to himself "Now I have a very good reason not to pick Marquez at all". It's not that Bob is afraid of Marquez, it's all about Marquez being tied up with Golden boy.