Video by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net
There are a select few who chronicle the rise of Manny Pacquiao, and three of them have decided to give their insights on one of boxing’s greatest.
Ahead of Pacquiao’s fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer sports editor Francis Ochoa, Manila Bulletin sports writer Nick Giongco and PTV 4 boxing analyst Dennis Principe converged at University of Santo Tomas on Friday as Thomasians got to know more boxing’s only eight-division world champion.
Principe said that Pacquiao is not all the speed and power that fans see—there is more to him than that.
“This fighter has evolved; he’s one of the most intelligent fighters,” Principe said.
Pacquiao started as a scrawny light flyweight before conquering eight divisions thereafter.
Ochoa said that Pacquiao, who had made unprecedented leaps in different divisions, has an amazing motor that usually troubles his opponents.
“Pacquiao’s greatest strength is his ability to adjust during the later rounds,” Ochoa said. “If there’s a boxer to beat Mayweather, it’s Pacquiao.”
Giongco said that it’s critical that Pacquiao go on attack mode for the full fight and put Mayweather on an offensive barrage he has never experienced before.
“Pacquiao’s bread and butter is punch, punch, punch,” Giongco said.
He added that Mayweather doesn’t care how he wins the fight, either by knockout or decision, as long as he wins.
Pacquiao and Mayweather will finally settle their differences on May 2 at MGM Grand Garden Arena and unify the WBO, WBA, and WBC Welterweight titles.
All three writers will be in Las Vegas to cover boxing’s most lucrative fight. RC
For more updates on Pacquiao-Mayweather “Fight of the Century,” visit The Pacquiao Files.