MANNY PACQUIAO REMAINS BOXING'S LITTLE BIG MAN...

Years ago I wrote an article titled "Boxing's little big men," which featured Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales. At the time Manny was still a rising star nowhere near where he is today. Since I’ve written that article, Pacquiao has become the biggest start in boxing and the P4P champion.

Today Manny Pacquiao may be fighting bigger men but he's still not a big guy himself. The first time I saw Manny Pacquiao fight was in 2001. I was covering the Oscar de la Hoya - Javier Castillejo fight ringside when this little guy with a huge smile made his way to the ring. Six rounds later he was new IBF Super Bantamweight champion and he was wearing an even bigger smile as he left the ring. I remember thinking to myself this guy was special I just did not realize at the time just how special he was. Since that night in 2001 I have closely followed the career of Manny Pacquiao. I’ve watched him has he climbed both weight classes and rankings.

For a fighter to start his career at 106 pounds and fight his way to 147 pounds is unheard of. And to make it an even greater accomplishment he has done it successfully, collecting numerous world titles on the way. Manny Pacquiao is a freak of nature. Never have I seen a fighter jump from weight class to weight class as Manny Pacquiao has. Most fighters lose both speed and power as they put on weight; this has not been the case with Manny Pacquiao, who has only gotten faster and stronger with each fight that has gone by.

When the fight between Oscar de la Hoya and Manny Pacquiao was first announced it was laughed at by many. How could Manny Pacquiao, a fighter who had never fought above 135 pounds, beat a true welterweight like Oscar de la Hoya? Many boxing experts saw the fight as Oscar de la Hoya padding his record against another small fighter, something he had built his career on. As the fight started you could hear jaws drop as Manny Pacquiao completely dismantled Oscar de la Hoya in eight rounds. Finally "The Golden Boy's" corner saw enough and put an end to the beating.

After the fight, many dismissed Pacquiao’s win over De la Hoya saying Oscar was an old fighter who didn’t have it anymore. They wanted to see Manny in the ring against someone younger and in his prime; that fighter would be Ricky Hatton. As the fight drew near, comments were heard that Hatton would simply be too much for Pacquiao with his power and natural size advantage. Like so many times before, Manny Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach walked to the ring full of confidence, as if they knew something the rest of us did not. Two rounds later Manny Pacquiao had both hands raised in victory, while Ricky Hatton laid on the canvas unconscious.

We are only a few days away from the Manny Pacquiao - Miguel Cotto bout, with its potential to be Fight of the Year. And again many of the same arguments are being heard. Cotto is too big and strong for Pacquiao. Big and strong has yet to be a problem for Pacquiao. Fighters need to stop relying on size and power and start trying to find another way to beat Manny Pacquiao. It’s not going to take strength to beat Pacquiao. It's going to take great skill and an even greater game plan. Unfortunately, I don’t believe Miguel Cotto has the skills or game plan to beat Manny Pacquiao and I’m left wondering which fighter does? The only name that comes to mind is Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and it doesn’t appear he wants any part of Manny Pacquiao. It will be awhile before Pacman loses a fight, assuming it ever happens. Too often fighters are not truly respected until they retire. Please don’t make that same mistake with Manny Pacquiao. He may be fighting bigger fighters but he is still boxing's little big man.

Commentary: Great article! I also follow Manny Pacquiao even before the Ledwaba fight s I know that Manny always smiles when he goes to fight. He is really a phenomenon.


Source: MANNY PACQUIAO REMAINS BOXING'S LITTLE BIG MAN...

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