LAST seen and heard from California, Filipino national treasure Manny Pacquiao was in a big rush, huffing and puffing, like he had to catch the last bus out.
He told veteran sportswriter Eddie Alinea for them to wait because he would be there soonest.
By them, Pacquiao meant detractors who had teased the eight-division world title winner that his phenomenal punching power, which had pushed him all the way up, up to world pound-for-pound boxing kingship, had been diminished, if not wholly gone.
Yeah, it’s not yet there, Pacquiao countered, but also quickly cried—the louder the better—that everything would be in place, the Pacman would be at his strongest best come fight time.
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In contrast, out there in Las Vegas, there would be none of that startling sound and fury.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been training almost in secret, if not in total silence.
No advertisement of fantastic road work, no flash reports of gym greatness, except for that claim to the stoppage of a sparmate via a body punch on the fourth day of training.
There was a video of the unbeaten American world boxing king chopping wood out in the open, but this did not create any clear message about his current condition or overall intent.
It could mean he was buying more power for his arms, or it could be a means to rhythmically fine-tune his fabulous gifts.
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Which way to the Superfight?
Pacquiao and Mayweather, headed for a single point, were using two contrasting tracks.
Pacquiao, pushing and howling for original killer power, had jumped onto a bullet train.
Mayweather, maybe preparing for another demonstration of fantastic skills, had taken a slow boat to God knows where.
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Against this backdrop, Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum took exception to Floyd Jr.’s legs which, the sagacious matchmaker claimed, have aged well ahead of Mayweather’ skills.
“He’s still smart as hell, but his legs have slowed down,” Arum explained. “This is very significant with Floyd because his leg movement was part of his great defensive arsenal, and he doesn’t have that anymore.”
Arum was clearly trying to confirm Freddie Roach’s earlier claim that Mayweather’s legs were shot.
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But don’t get fooled, quickly warned the great Roy Jones Jr., the best of the best during his prime. Jones took time out to caution that Mayweather, despite dissipated legs, could just dig deep to shake and stun the opponent.
Knowing Mayweather can’t just outwit Pacquiao, Jones warned, the unbeaten world champ could step down [to reality], stand firm, and try to get Pacquiao out.
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(HAIL: Salute and congratulations to Brian Jeric Visperas de Leon who was ordained into the priesthood by Archbishop Socrates Villegas on Thursday at Sanctuario de San Juan de Evangelista in Dagupan City. De Leon is the son of newspaperwoman Eva Visperas … This afternoon at the famous Peter Lee’s Hong Kong Teahouse on Mabini St., Manila, Filipino world boxing expert Hermie Rivera, visiting from Newark, California, gathers friends and fellow boxing enthusiasts for a discussion on the May 2 Superfight between Pacquiao and Mayweather.)