Fibroso
10-23-2012, 11:55 PM
Manny Pacquiao Needs Brandon RiosBy Paul Magno | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Mon, Oct 22, 2012 11:29 AM EDT
COMMENTARY | Forget about distractions, age, religion or any of the other factors attributed to Manny Pacquiao's lack of recent thrill value. The real problem is his opposition. A clash with someone like Brandon Rios would bring out the old fire and once again show fans the hard-driving force of character that helped Pacquiao battle his way out of the slums of General Santos City.
Even the most loyal of Pacland-loving, Mayweather-hating Pacquiao fans have to recognize the fact that the 8-division world champ is just not the same warrior these days.
There was a time when Pacquiao produced massive excitement. Whether fighting a fellow hall of famer or an 8-to-1 underdog, every Pacquiao fight was "Must See TV" and fans tuned in, not only to watch him win, but to see what devastation he brought while doing it. Now, people still watch, but more out of habit than a burning desire to see his flying fists in action.
Pacquiao's last three performances have been less-than-stellar with laid back victories over Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez setting the stage for a controversial, but still tepid split decision loss to Timothy Bradley in his last fight.
So tepid was Pacquiao's performance against Bradley that he simply took his foot off the gas in the second half of a bout he was clearly winning, making the terrible judging call possible because of a fairly do-nothing last six rounds.
Now set to face Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time, the chances of a great all-action thriller are slim. Marquez is still a calculating counter-puncher and Pacquiao will still likely be too busy being frustrated and confused by the Mexican's footwork to offer up much of an offensive surge. Marquez's solid fundamentals negate Pacquiao's offense, but don't create much in the way of sustained fireworks. Barring some odd change of form and style by either fighter, no. 4 will follow in the pattern of no. 3. Good and professional, but not great.
But Pacquiao's days as a frenetic punch machine are not necessarily over.
At 33 years of age, Manny should still have plenty in the tank. And, while it is true that fame and copious amounts of distractions are also factors in the life of the Filipino pop culture icon, none of that should be the reason behind a lack of fire on the main stage of the boxing ring.
So, this is where a fighter like Brandon Rios comes in.
Pacquiao needs a hellacious, soul-taking battler in front of him to once again activate his own fighting instincts.
Marquez, as mentioned, is a cold-blooded counter puncher by nature. Shane Mosley was a shot, defense-minded shell of his former self. And Timothy Bradley, despite a reputation as a tough, driven fighter, never really fought with much effective passion against Pacquiao. It's hard for anyone to look devastatingly awesome against guys like this. And maybe Pacquiao, who had to be feeling the jaded embrace of apparent invincibility, was feeling too confident in the fact that he couldn't lose.
Against a guy like Rios, though, Pacquao won't have time to think. Rios will push and push until the bout is officially over. Rios would force the warrior out of the millionaire celebrity philanthropist.
Any lesser effort or temptation to cruise to a decision victory would result in some serious leather landed on his face and body. If Pacquiao takes his foot off the gas at any point in a clash with Rios, he'll likely find himself overrun by the driven and tenacious Mexican-American battler.
In short, Manny would be forced to fight.
Not think or plan or go with the flow.
He'd be forced to fight. And when it comes down to actual fighting, there are few who can hold a candle to Manny Pacquiao.
COMMENTARY | Forget about distractions, age, religion or any of the other factors attributed to Manny Pacquiao's lack of recent thrill value. The real problem is his opposition. A clash with someone like Brandon Rios would bring out the old fire and once again show fans the hard-driving force of character that helped Pacquiao battle his way out of the slums of General Santos City.
Even the most loyal of Pacland-loving, Mayweather-hating Pacquiao fans have to recognize the fact that the 8-division world champ is just not the same warrior these days.
There was a time when Pacquiao produced massive excitement. Whether fighting a fellow hall of famer or an 8-to-1 underdog, every Pacquiao fight was "Must See TV" and fans tuned in, not only to watch him win, but to see what devastation he brought while doing it. Now, people still watch, but more out of habit than a burning desire to see his flying fists in action.
Pacquiao's last three performances have been less-than-stellar with laid back victories over Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez setting the stage for a controversial, but still tepid split decision loss to Timothy Bradley in his last fight.
So tepid was Pacquiao's performance against Bradley that he simply took his foot off the gas in the second half of a bout he was clearly winning, making the terrible judging call possible because of a fairly do-nothing last six rounds.
Now set to face Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time, the chances of a great all-action thriller are slim. Marquez is still a calculating counter-puncher and Pacquiao will still likely be too busy being frustrated and confused by the Mexican's footwork to offer up much of an offensive surge. Marquez's solid fundamentals negate Pacquiao's offense, but don't create much in the way of sustained fireworks. Barring some odd change of form and style by either fighter, no. 4 will follow in the pattern of no. 3. Good and professional, but not great.
But Pacquiao's days as a frenetic punch machine are not necessarily over.
At 33 years of age, Manny should still have plenty in the tank. And, while it is true that fame and copious amounts of distractions are also factors in the life of the Filipino pop culture icon, none of that should be the reason behind a lack of fire on the main stage of the boxing ring.
So, this is where a fighter like Brandon Rios comes in.
Pacquiao needs a hellacious, soul-taking battler in front of him to once again activate his own fighting instincts.
Marquez, as mentioned, is a cold-blooded counter puncher by nature. Shane Mosley was a shot, defense-minded shell of his former self. And Timothy Bradley, despite a reputation as a tough, driven fighter, never really fought with much effective passion against Pacquiao. It's hard for anyone to look devastatingly awesome against guys like this. And maybe Pacquiao, who had to be feeling the jaded embrace of apparent invincibility, was feeling too confident in the fact that he couldn't lose.
Against a guy like Rios, though, Pacquao won't have time to think. Rios will push and push until the bout is officially over. Rios would force the warrior out of the millionaire celebrity philanthropist.
Any lesser effort or temptation to cruise to a decision victory would result in some serious leather landed on his face and body. If Pacquiao takes his foot off the gas at any point in a clash with Rios, he'll likely find himself overrun by the driven and tenacious Mexican-American battler.
In short, Manny would be forced to fight.
Not think or plan or go with the flow.
He'd be forced to fight. And when it comes down to actual fighting, there are few who can hold a candle to Manny Pacquiao.