That was very reassuring—what matchmaker Bob Arum had stated about his countrymen going for Filipino national treasure Manny Pacquiao in his boxing kingship duel against unbeaten American world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Coupled with Muhammad Ali’s endorsement, Arum’s claim should give Pacquiao all the reason to get high and feel doubly confident.
In fact, out in our city wet market yesterday, fans and vendors alike appeared and sounded sure Pacquiao would burst out from his corner to overwhelm and overrun Mayweather come May 2 in Las Vegas.
* * *
Truth is, for his part, trainer Freddie Roach no longer had to wait for these endorsements before he would start swearing Pacquiao was sure to get Mayweather, either by decision or knockout.
Meanwhile, your reporter here had always maintained Mayweather was rightfully installed the favorite, not only because he was unbeaten, while Pacquiao already has suffered a total of five defeats.
Mayweather is favored because he owns the superior skills, the better craft and competence, not to mention the phenomenal elusiveness.
* * *
“Kung away pier, panalo si Manny, pero boxing ’to,” this reporter continued to tell anxious fans who always wanted to get my two cents’ worth on how the superbout would shape up.
Simply put, what that crazy sidestreet quip meant was that Pacquiao would be able to prevail only if he succeeds in turning the duel into something of a pier brawl, a main event in the skid row Olympics.
Did it mean Pacquiao will have to bring the fight out of the ring?
Not really, but there’s another way to carving out a win.
* * *
It’s like this. During the Lenten break, Solar Sports took time out to replay a vital Mayweather bout, his title challenge against world welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir of Brazil.
It was a nonfight, Mayweather was ultra superior he also turned the bout into a total bore.
Of course, Mayweather did not at any moment put Baldomir in trouble, although there were nicks and bruises on the lightless face of the Brazilian.
Baldomir was humbled, wholly vanquished even before the fight could enter the final stage.
* * *
An exasperated Larry Merchant would later scold and ask Mayweather if he did not mind seeing fans heading for the exits as early as the end of the ninth round.
Maybe Mr. Merchant had actually wanted to know if Mayweather could not turn on the beat, or throw bigger punches.
You see, this reporter has a great respect for Mayweather, but that awe of the supremely talented world welterweight champ had been diminished after that tasteless world title bout against Baldomir.
Pardon this, but it has to be stated here: Mayweather’s punches are much much smaller than his reputation.
* * *
In basketball, there is such a thing as playing tall, like a five-footer playing all of six feet.
In Mayweather’s case, he may be taller than Pacquiao, but Floyd definitely cannot fight big as Pacquiao always does.
Not to say he should not go out and box it out, but Pacquiao should be able to dazzle and overwhelm with systematic bombardment.
Manny should make it, if he doesn’t play Mayweather’s game and turn reckless.