 |
|
|
What makes the elite fighters stand out from the good ones? Power, speed, intelligence, heart, and charisma are a combination that the great ones have. The big contracts, money, fame and gold medals are how we distinguish the true prizefighters.
On June 6, 2001 I went to Las Vegas to watch a great one. I went to see Oscar de la Hoya capture his 7th world title in 5 different weight classes. As I stood in line to get in, I overheard a guy talk about some great African fighter that had it all to be one of the great ones. I had to ask him the guy's name. "Ledwaba," he said, "he's going to kill his opponent." He said that it's a mismatch and that there wasn't a line for the fight; that I should watch him.
I sat with great anticipation to watch this killer. The challenger was a former WBC flyweight champion named Manny Pacquiao. My first thought was... a flyweight fighting a junior featherweight? This guy is going to get destroyed! The outcome of the fight was 6 rounds of punishment. Manny Pacquiao came out of nowhere to do to Ledwaba what people thought he would do to Manny. A new star was born!
Manny Pacquiao is an exciting fighter who possesses all the qualities to become one of the great ones: a southpaw with speed, power, boyish looks and charisma. Pacquiao has made more than just a splash since that in June in 2001. He has continued to face quality opposition besides Ledwaba. He's fought Agapito Sanchez to a draw, an unpopular decision by most standards. Add Eliecer Julio, Emanuel Lucero, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez, not bad for an unknown fighter from the Philippines.
I've now become one of Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao's biggest fans. Manny is a fighter that has brought new life to sport of boxing, a flamboyant fighter that has skyrocketed to everyone's pound for pound list. He doesn't have a safety first style, he is not a runner or a quitter. He bleeds, never stops punching, and always stalks his prey until he beats them.
I don't know if everyone is as excited about his firey competition as I'm, but no one will ever consider "Pacman" a stepping stone or a walk in the park. Not bad for a Philippine youngster who came from poverty and now has money, fame, and a gold medal like all the other greats. Watch out because there's a new face in boxing, and he is aiming to take over... His name is Manny Pacquiao. |
|
|
|
© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2004
|
By Roberto Hernandez (November 3, 2004) 
