Manny Pacquiao. AP FILE PHOTO
THERE are gift packages, picnic baskets, holiday offerings, all sorts of Christmas specials.
What about a grand surprise in boxing?
Here it is: The World Boxing Council (WBC), reports veteran Filipino boxing writer Nick Giongco, has put Manny Pacquiao as its top contender in the welterweight class being ruled by unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Giongco has openly manifested surprise at the development.
“Pacquiao wasn’t even listed in the last WBC ratings released during the WBC annual convention in Bangkok last month,” notes Giongco.
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It’s therefore natural to surmise that the Pacquiao elevation is an effort to push the long-sought megabuck fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather.
You see, although WBC president Jose Sulaiman failed to make it to Bangkok for the annual convention, he undoubtedly was able to watch—analyze and fully appreciate—Pacquiao’s sensational comeback victory over big Brandon Rios in Macau last Nov. 24.
Sulaiman, although freely perceived to have overstayed at his post, is still possessed of a keen boxing sense.
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While there are frantic fans here at home who failed to observe and appreciate Pacquiao’s metamorphosis into a more mature and well-rounded warrior, the terrific transition definitely did not escape Don Jose Sulaiman.
This should explain the instant elevation of Pacquiao—from out of nowhere—to the top of the WBC ratings.
Continues Giongco: “Now at No. 1, Pacquiao moved ahead of Luis Abregu of Argentina, who slid to No. 2.”
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Talented and qualified as he is, Abregu should not feel slighted.
It’s Amir Khan who’s, in fact, being touted to face Mayweather in May.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, has been lined up for action at the MGM Grand Las Vegas against a still unnamed foe—Tim Bradley or Ruslan Provodnikov?—on April 12.
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Of course, there are myopic views, mainly from home fans, that Pacquiao has lost his old fire and dazzle, as evidenced by the failure to stop the slow-footed Rios, despite having shaken him up a few times.
What’s been overlooked, but definitely enjoyed by Jose Sulaiman, was not only Pacquiao’s full recovery from that detestable fall against Juan Manuel Marquez a full year ago.
In that all-revealing display against Rios, who by the way also tagged and hurt his foe a few times, Pacquiao showed he has ably eluded Father Time, while displaying an ability to again endure killer punches of the sort previously dealt him by Marquez.
Ask Don Jose. Pacquiao is now at his closest best to upset Mayweather.