Pacquiao picked to succeed in power grab

An invitation to the ordination of the phenomenal Fr. Junie Maralit, 45, as Bishop of Boac, Marinduque, in Lipa City Friday carried with it a stunning tip on Manny Pacquiao’s chance to succeed in Las Vegas on May 2.

Pacquiao has been installed a 2-1 favorite to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“Si Manny, doblado dito, pwede na ba kong pumusta ke Mayweather?”

That was from Totoy Katigbak, intrepid mainstay of one of the oldest clans in Lipa, asking if he could bet on Mayweather, now that Pacquiao has been installed a double-your-money favorite.

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Pacquiao was originally a 3-1 underdog up around the cool, scenic city known also as the Vatican of the Philippines.

Strange as it sounded, Totoy had to be cautioned against rushing out and sinking a hefty sum on Mayweather.

It’s like this. After an informal assessment, it would turn out that Pacquiao, although behind in craft and defensive competence, could stun and shine in a brawling power struggle that’s expected to erupt in the May 2 superbout billed as the fight of the century.

Yes, Pacquiao has been favored to successfully stage a coup and grab the kingship from Mayweather.

The power-punching former poor boy with whirlwind fury could, in fact, complete a violent overthrow.

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Actually, Pacquiao was quoted as saying in California the other day that he’s ready for Mayweather, the unbeaten master with quiet sharpness and fabulous defense.

Pacquiao, a bit late in training, has vowed to be at his best come fight time.

The Pacquiao vow came on the same day it was reported that “Mayweather had stopped a sparmate, while Pacquiao was trying to climb back from a four-month boxing lay-off.”

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Anyway , what has obviously helped superfight odds to start levelling off was the unscheduled display of hidden power by Mayweather, in sparring and in training, where he showed up clasping power-giving dumb bells in his fists.

Pacquiao said it was a clear sign that Mayweather would open up, engage and slam it out.

Pacquiao also took time out to picture Mayweather as a villainous and arrogant ruler.

The logic goes thus: If Mayweather blasts off from his comfort-zone cave, his impenetrable defensive shell, he would be fiercely run down or mangled.

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Of course, it goes without saying Pacquiao will have to again be at his fiercest, sharpest best if he hopes to throw out Mayweather from the throne.

Pacquiao, has started training in earnest, although the link-up with trainer Freddie Roach had been delayed by a full week.

Meanwhile, it was reported by GMA News from California yesterday that Pacquiao had been revisited by leg cramps while doing the morning jog around the treacherous Griffith Park.

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(SPECTACULAR SON: Fr. Junie Maralit, son of chief Cancer Warriors Marcelino and Dita Maralit, was a boyhood toughie who just zoomed all the way to priesthood. He’s a prodigy of Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, who’s scheduled to act as main ordaining prelate on Friday. Junie, with hidden religious gifts, was a football turf terror during his student days in Spain, until he suffered a severe leg injury. Football’s loss was Vatican’s gain.)