SOURCE: Eddie Alinea
Okay, nobody wants boxing’s pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao to fight the over-the-hill Shane Mosley. Except, of course Top Rank bossman Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach and the “Pacman” himself.
An ESPN Sports Nation poll, in fact, revealed that Juan Manuel Marquez, whom the Filipino eight-division champion fought twice, would be the most desirable opponent for the reigning world welterweight and super-welterweight kingpin on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Outside of undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr., of course.
This is understandable because both Mayweather and Marquez, fans believe, stand a chance to beat the now Congressman from the Province of Sarangani and, perhaps, end his 15-year career.
Many critics of Pacquiao have been saying that all he does is fight Mayweather's left overs. Meaning, he fights opponents that Mayweather has already fought and defeated. True, but one must be reminded that Manny has been beating the hell these same opponents more impressively than Mayweather did.
For instance, boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya bowed to Pacquiao by not getting off his stool for the ninth round, while Mayweather could only earn a split decision triumph over the same guy.
Mayweather stopped Ricky Hatton only after 10 rounds. Pacquiao had an easier time sending the Brit to dreamland in only two rounds.
Still others argue that Mayweather completely dominated and taught Marquez a neat boxing lesson when the met while the Filipino struggled to a draw the first time they faced each other and a controversial split decision the next time. That is why a third and final fight with Marquez would make the most sense right now.
What Arum, Roach and Pacquiao want to remind critics in finalizing the fight against Mosley is that in their super-mega fight everyone was on his or her feet, shocked that Mosley was able to land such a big clean power shot to the face of Mayweather causing his knees to buckle and forcing him to hold on for life.
Although just like any other Mayweather fight, Floyd did what he knows how to do best and that is danced his way the rest of the way to salvage a victory although just like all 49 of Mosley's opponents, was not able to knock Sugar Shane out.
Mosley has never been stopped, the closest someone came to succeeding was the much taller, longer and heftier Vernon Forrest who had him in the most trouble in his whole career.
Does Mosley have a chance to cut short Pacquiao’s 13 straight winning run? Yes, of course, he still is dangerous for the first couple of rounds but if Pacquiao takes his training camp seriously, even an 80 percent Pacquiao he will prevail.
The bigger question, however, is will Manny be able to do what no other fighter was ever able to do and stop and knock out the Sugar Man? That is the only way, therefore, that those who do not believe in the wisdom of the match up can be justified.
Even if Manny overwhelms Mosley by a one sided decision, then many will say that he took Mosley at a time when his career is already on the downswing. And that victory would be an empty one.
Can Manny be the first to knock Mosley out? That remains to be seen.
