Round 1 to Mayweather: Is Manny Pacquiao Becoming Overly Confident?

It appears that Uncle Bob has succeeded in luring Manny Pacquiao into fighting Floyd Mayweather , Jr. as early as March 13th next year. This will create more distractions in Team Pacquiao’s camp as if it is still lacking in that department. Although distractions in the camp do not affect his performance in the ring as Manny has proven repeatedly, this one might be entirely different.


Vying for a congressional seat in the Philippines for the second time after a debacle in his first try is a monstrous task even for a real hero. Which candidate would not have this election in mind 24 hours a day? Some of them even resort to barbaric execution of opponents and their supporters that threaten their positions. Manny just could not say no to anybody and this attitude always succumbs to devilish trickeries. The boxing hero now plunges into dangerous territories against a fighter known for his mastery of the sweet science and whose objective is always to hit without getting hit.

All the advantages now point to Mayweather. How to overcome all these is the job for master trainer Freddie Roach. He may have a doubly difficult task at hand. During the fight with Miguel Cotto, Manny appears to be oozing with too much confidence as he allowed himself to get hit and left his guard wide open too many times. He cannot afford to do the same thing against Mayweather and Freddie Roach better be ready with the correct strategy – again. Confidence is great but too much of it can be disastrous.

While he has looked invincible and has improved astronomically in his last four fights, Manny has yet to prove in the ring that he can effectively deal against a good tactician and counter puncher. David Diaz, Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Cotto are all southpaws. All but one uses the orthodox stance. Dela Hoya, Hatton, and Cotto have 3 things in common – They are all southpaws, uses the conventional stance, and their main weapon is the left hook. The ever smart Freddie Roach knew all along that they will be susceptible to Manny’s lightning quick right hook which the duo developed with tremendous success. The master trainer saw this in the Diaz fight and they gave full use of it the rest of the way.

Alas, what a big difference a style makes! Mayweather’s right straight counter will be quicker and more powerful than Marquez’s and he rarely throws left hooks. Manny and Freddie should prepare for this as well. Then there’s Mayweather’s left jab. With a 5-inch advantage in reach, the bigger man might be able to keep the little guy at bay by constantly throwing jabs.

Wapakman may be invincible but the real hero in Manny Pacquiao is only human. And although he is far greater (in the deepest meaning of the word) than his opponent, he has far more weaknesses and disadvantages that can be exploited.

Indeed, if Manny Pacquiao succeeds once again, he can be considered the new G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). For if there’s another human being not just boxer who has accomplished more and overcame more odds from an impoverished and forgotten place in society, I would be totally surprised.