Years ago I wrote an article titled
"Boxing's little big men," which featured Manny Pacquiao
and Erik Morales. At the time Manny was still a rising
star nowhere near where he is today. Since I’ve written
that article, Pacquiao has become the biggest start in
boxing and the P4P champion.
Today Manny Pacquiao may be fighting
bigger men but he's still not a big guy himself. The first
time I saw Manny Pacquiao fight was in 2001. I was
covering the Oscar de la Hoya - Javier Castillejo
fight ringside when this little guy with a huge smile made
his way to the ring. Six rounds later he was new IBF Super
Bantamweight champion and he was wearing an even bigger
smile as he left the ring. I remember thinking to myself
this guy was special I just did not realize at the time
just how special he was. Since that night in 2001 I have
closely followed the career of Manny Pacquiao. I’ve
watched him has he climbed both weight classes and
rankings.
For a fighter to start his career at 106 pounds and fight his way to 147 pounds is unheard of.
And to make it an even greater accomplishment he has done
it successfully, collecting numerous world titles on the
way. Manny Pacquiao is a freak of nature. Never have I
seen a fighter jump from weight class to weight class as
Manny Pacquiao has. Most fighters lose both speed and
power as they put on weight; this has not been the case
with Manny Pacquiao, who has only gotten faster and
stronger with each fight that has gone by.
When the fight between Oscar de la
Hoya and Manny Pacquiao was first announced it was laughed
at by many. How could Manny Pacquiao, a fighter who had
never fought above 135 pounds, beat a true welterweight
like Oscar de la Hoya? Many boxing experts saw the
fight as Oscar de la Hoya padding his record against
another small fighter, something he had built his career
on. As the fight started you could hear jaws drop as Manny
Pacquiao completely dismantled Oscar de la Hoya in
eight rounds. Finally "The Golden Boy's" corner saw enough
and put an end to the beating.
After the fight, many dismissed
Pacquiao’s win over De la Hoya saying Oscar was an old
fighter who didn’t have it anymore. They wanted to see
Manny in the ring against someone younger and in his
prime; that fighter would be Ricky Hatton. As the fight
drew near, comments were heard that Hatton would simply be
too much for Pacquiao with his power and natural size
advantage. Like so many times before, Manny Pacquiao and
trainer Freddie Roach walked to the ring full of
confidence, as if they knew something the rest of us did
not. Two rounds later Manny Pacquiao had both hands raised
in victory, while Ricky Hatton laid on the canvas
unconscious.
We are only a few days away from the
Manny Pacquiao - Miguel Cotto bout, with its potential to
be Fight of the Year. And again many of the same arguments
are being heard. Cotto is too big and strong for Pacquiao.
Big and strong has yet to be a problem for Pacquiao.
Fighters need to stop relying on size and power and start
trying to find another way to beat Manny Pacquiao. It’s
not going to take strength to beat Pacquiao. It's going to
take great skill and an even greater game plan.
Unfortunately, I don’t believe Miguel Cotto has the skills
or game plan to beat Manny Pacquiao and I’m left wondering
which fighter does? The only name that comes to mind is
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and it doesn’t appear he wants any
part of Manny Pacquiao. It will be awhile before Pacman
loses a fight, assuming it ever happens. Too often
fighters are not truly respected until they retire. Please
don’t make that same mistake with Manny Pacquiao. He may
be fighting bigger fighters but he is still boxing's
little big man.
