They do keep a count of the number of punches landed and scored inside the boxing ring. But is there a way to measure or determine the impact of so-called killer blows in a championship bout?
What’s the size and price of savagery in boxing?
Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez stood side by side, watching over Manny Pacquiao, in his spectacular duel with Keith Thurman in Las Vegas on Sunday.
The fight, as expected, blew up into a full-scale ring war. The two trainers were closest to Pacquiao during the brutal encounter.
However, based on their respective judgment, Roach and Fernandez obviously applied different systems in assessing Pacquiao’s performance, including the blows he received and survived.
It’s perplexing how Roach and Fernandez have come up with contrasting verdicts and assessments less than a week after the WBA welterweight unification bout.
The two trainers were closest to the ultimate ferocity swapped by the marvelous combatants.
Roach and Fernandez, based on their words, could have been influenced by contrasting information on the size and impact of punches delivered and received in the fight.
Roach suggested indefinite rest or retirement.
Fernandez claimed Pacquiao should be back in action as soon as his health and schedule would allow.
Roach: “Manny got hit a little too much hits, he got punished. I don’t want him to get hurt.”
Fernandez: “I decide on what Manny will do now. He could rust given a long break. He should fight again within the year.”
For the record, Pacquiao announced he would not be fighting within the year.
He said he would return to the Senate and work for the people, away from the boxing ring.
There were claims Pacquiao has done twice more than he should deliver for flag and country.
The fighting senator said he fights on to unite, continue helping, inspiring and bringing hope, mainly to poor countrymen.
Nothing is certain if Pacquiao will fight this year or not. But it has also become clear he’s siding with Fernandez and will definitely stay active in the ring.
It’s out of character, but Roach has suddenly relented. He said he was leaving it to Pacquiao to decide whether to stay in the ring or not.
The last time Roach told Pacquiao to consider retirement, after the 2017 loss to Jeff Horn in Brisbane, the Hall-of-Fame trainer was cut out of Team Pacquiao.
By the way, there were also those who have started to wonder if Fernandez gave his verdict purely as a partner and an earning team member.
Did Roach judge Pacquiao versus Thurman as a parent, a guardian angel?
There were suggestions Pacquiao should have also considered the sentiments of an objective sector.
If he did, Pacquiao should not be surprised to know that his fans were nearly unanimous in wishing that he quit and retire from boxing.
Pacquiao would be very pleased to know how much his countrymen truly care for him.
Practically all those we have polled, out in the street, the marketplace, in passenger jeepneys, were one in saying Pacquiao should leave boxing. Now. He has more than carried out his mission, won practically all and everything he had aspired for.
His people love him and, just like Roach, they don’t want Manny to get hurt beyond salvation.
He should quit ahead, while he’s still healthy, able and alert.
This call comes from those who squirmed and suffered with each savage shot Pacquiao received against the bigger and stronger Thurman.
There’s always a limit to the punishment a ring warrior, no matter how strong and gifted, can take.