Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao and their Magnificent Obsession

By Randy De La O

Last Saturday night, in a fight reminiscent of an earlier era in boxing, Juan Manuel Marquez  (39) and Manny Pacquiao (33), got it on and electrified the boxing world with their fight at the MGM Grand Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada.  For six rounds they battled. Each man inflicting pain and damage on the other. No quarter asked, none given.

This was the fourth fight of their almost decade long rivalry that began back in 2004. Their first fight ended in a controversial draw, the second fight a split decision and the third fight a majority decision. Each fight more controversial and  more inconclusive than the last, and to some, more unjust. Regardless, both fighters took each other to a higher plane of existence each time they stepped into the ring to face each other. What ever we thought about who might have won their fights, or who did not, the one truth that remained, was that the difference between the two was razor thin. A hairsbreadth of a difference. They did not yet know it but they were creating a rivalry for the ages.

Going into the fight, both men had something to prove; to themselves, to each other and to the world. Both fighters believed they won their fights but I have to believe that with half the boxing world crying foul, and with Marquez continuing to claim himself the true winner of their battles, Pacquiao had to question himself, even if it was just the slightest bit. He wouldn't be human if he didn't.

So Pacquiao was on a mission now; to destroy this man who refuses to admit defeat! To knock out this man who refuses to let him enjoy his victories! To finish once and for all the man who created doubts!

Marquez, of course, had other ideas and reasons of his own as he prepared for the face off with his now bitter foe. Marquez was on a quest for redemption and revenge.  A man that believes he has been wronged will fight to  his last breath to correct that wrong. It doesn't matter if you or I believe it, Marquez believed it and that was all that really mattered. Marquez might not have used this quote, “Right makes might” but the concept was in his mind and in his heart. This gave him legs.

Marquez understood that if the fight went the distance he was never going to get the nod, that was a given. In his mind the only possible path to victory was a knockout. This is what he prepared himself for: The destruction of his nemesis. He would risk it all and endure it all. He left absolutely no room for failure. Both men were motivated but only one would succeed. There would be no draw, there would be no decision. Both fighters were equally adamant. Both men obsessed with victory over the other.

The first round began energetically, with Pacquiao (147 lbs) using more head movement than usual, and Marquez (143 lbs) patiently waiting to counter. As the rounds went on Marquez began to work the body of Pacquiao but certainly both men were causing damage to each other. Marquez, clearly the better technician of the two landed the cleaner, sharper punches, while Pacquiao, the quicker of the two, landed more.

In the third round, Marquez feinting a jab to Pacquiao, threw a hard overhand right that landed flush on the face of Manny Pacquiao, knocking him down. It was the first real sign that this night was going to be different, that it was going to be a special night. The fight was on.

As the rounds went on both Pacquiao and Marquez, refused to give an inch. There was no quit in either man. The crowd was getting their monies worth. The surprise here (to some) was Marquez. Most “experts”, sportswriter and the boxing world, believed this (supposedly) final fight between the two would establish Pacquiao's superiority once and for all, and vindicate his past victories.

In the fifth round Marquez was hit with the left hand and almost hit the canvass, as it was his glove touched the canvass and a knockdown was scored for Pacquiao, it was a good call and it evened up the fight again. Marquez quickly landed a hard right hand on Pacquiao. Pacquiao began his assault anew and near the end of the round Marquez found himself in trouble but continued to fight back. It was still anyone's fight.

The sixth round was more of the same with both fighters upping their game. There were several good exchanges between both fighters. With seconds left in the sixth round, as Pacquiao was throwing a right jab, and presumably  getting ready to let go of a straight left hand, Marquez moved in and caught Manny Pacquiao with right hand that dropped him like sniper fire. It was so unexpected it took a second or two to register. Just like that the fight was over. Marquez had won the fight in a way no one could have predicted. With this knockout Juan Manuel Marquez has established himself as the superior  fighter, and that is after all what this rivalry has been about. Not about titles and money, for these two it has been about victory over the other.

For a few seconds after the knockout, I along with everyone else on the planet, was concerned with Pacquiao's well being. I'm not going to lie. I was overjoyed. If you are a Marquez fan it just doesn't get any better than this. If you are a boxing fan it doesn't get any better than this. Marquez had finally slain his dragon. This victory and the way in which it happened was a shot in the arm for boxing.

It may have been the  right hand that dropped Manny Pacquiao but what won the fight for Marquez was his "Iron Will" , his cast iron chin, and mostly it was his determination and preparation.. In the fight of his life against Pacquiao, the fighter that many believed to be the greatest pound for pound fighter of his era, Juan Manuel Marquez made the stand of his life, and prevailed. And so what was once a razor thin difference, is no more.

On December 8, 2012, at 2:59 of the sixth round, the man previously known worldwide as the Mexicutioner had just been Mexicuted, .......worldwide.

Pacquiao and Marquez: Two of the Very Best!

By Randy De La O


Regardless of who wins tonight both men deserve credit for enriching the sport of boxing. Juan Manuel Marquez has been fighting since 1993, just shy of twenty years and he has been at the top of the game for most of it.

Manny Pacquiao, fighting since 1995, has been one of the two premiere stars of the sport, sharing that top spot with Floyd Mayweather for most of their respective careers. Together, Pacquiao and Marquez have given us to this point, three great fights. A trilogy for the ages. As the saying goes, "It takes two to Tango" and that is certainly the case here with both fighters. Great fights are not the product of one fighter, great fights are the result of two opponents who have made a commitment to give their very best. This is what both fighters do, give their very best.

Pacquiao and Marquez, along with a few others in this great but tarnished sport have given fight fans a reason to keep watching. I have every reason to believe their fight tonight will be no different, regardless of the outcome.

So good luck to two ring warriors who are nearing the end of their great careers. Consider yourself lucky to be a fan of boxing while these two fought. Their like is slowly disappearing.

As always, let the best man win!

MANNY PACQUIAO vs JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ 4 (weigh-in)

HBO PPV: Pacquiao-Marquez 4 - Expert Analysis and Predictions

Marquez vs Pacquiao IV: The Final Fight?

By Randy De La O


Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao will get it on for the fourth time tomorrow night, Saturday, December 8, 2012, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada and will air on HBO PPV. It will be a twelve round welterweight non title affair, or at least it was, until the WBO, in their infinite wisdom, decided to create a title belt for this fight entitled “Fighter of the Decade”, presumably to elicit some sanctioning fees from from both fighters. A worthless belt considering no other fighter from the past decade has been asked to participate.

When the fight was first announced earlier this year, I was feeling somewhat hopeful about Marquez' chances for redemption and justice but as the fight nears I have been a feeling little less hopeful, a little more pessimistic. I don't know if anything less than a knockout will give Marquez a win. Going by past history, Marquez may have to knock out Pacquiao just to earn a draw.

I have written Ad Nauseum about these two fighters and there battles and who I think has won, and so on and so on. It would be redundant to do it again. Still. It's my hope that Marquez will find that one thing he has to do to separate himself  from the last three fights and come up with a victory. Counterpunching has been the key to his success in all three fights (success being a relative term here). He needs to up his aggressiveness and he needs to find little ways to frustrate Pacquiao, who has shown a penchant lately to get frustrated in his fights, and certainly in his last fight with Marquez. Pacquiao has a tendency to get reckless when frustrated. Marquez has always been able to get inside the head of Manny Pacquiao. He needs to amp up that strategy.

Both men feel they have something to prove but I think Pacquiao has found it easier to live with his victories than Marquez has with his losses. That may prove to be his great motivating factor tomorrow night. Regardless, it may just be the last great fight for both of them.

What I do want, what I'm hoping for tomorrow night is a good honest fight and a clear cut winner. Though it's no secret that I am a fan of Juan Manuel Marquez, I want to see an honest end to this great rivalry. If Pacquiao wins this fight, so be it. He has been great champion over the last decade and he is a fighter that I respect. Wanting Marquez to win in no way indicates how I feel about Pacquiao. I'm just a fan of Marquez, he's my fighter. If Pacquiao win this fight it's time for Marquez to accept the loss and move on. As always, let the best man win.

Manny Pacquiao vs Tim Bradley...... Another Controversy!

Photo Courtesy of John Bardelli

By Randy De La O

The Associated Press

I thought Tim Bradley was going to win the fight last night. My reasons were sound and I wasn't picking one fighter over the other for personal reasons, or likes or dislikes. It didn't quite happen the way I thought it would. Officially Bradley won the fight but they gave the fight to the wrong guy. Pacquiao should have won that fight. At best, he lost one round. Bradley was never seriously hurt but he was out worked by Pacquiao. We've seen it before. it's not the first time this has happened but it is one of the most blatant. Still, it was hard for Manny to complain too much since he has been the recipient of at least three gift decisions (in my opinion).

It's not enough to say "Well, that's boxing". That's not boxing! There needs to be a complete overhaul of the judging system and the judges. Someone should be tarred and feathered or worse.

Bradley's win probably does more harm than good for him on a personal level. Had he lost the fight we would have been focusing on his big heart and willingness to keep fighting despite having hurt his ankles (or feet) early in the fight. Instead his reputation took a hit.

Still, both fighters showed a lot of class last night. Though he did express himself, Manny never whined about what has to be one of the worst decisions in recent boxing history and we should applaud Bradley's integrity in not feeling satisfied with the win. He offered, with out being asked, a rematch for Pacquiao. and that says a lot about his character. Bradley has proven himself to be a true ring warrior.

But let's keep things in perspective. it was not a great fight. It was a good fight and nothing more. Still, the fight belonged to Pacquiao and I hate to see this type of ending to a fight..

Boxing is still the greatest sport of all. It will survive this bad decision and somewhere out there is a fighter training away ready to become the next Pacquiao, De La Hoya, Duran, Hagler, Chavez, Leonard or Ali. That's boxing!

Pacquiao vs Bradley - Complete L.A. Presser

A Couple of Thoughts on Marquez and Pacquiao

Photo Courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Whatever I might think about who won the fight last and the decision, both fighters have conducted themselves like professionals throughout their careers. Both are good guys in a tarnished sport. Enjoy them for whatever time they have left. Their type of fighter is a dying breed.

 Last night's decision was no fault of Manny Pacquiao. He did what he was supposed to do, they both did. If we can look past all the rest we can recognize that we saw a great fight last night. With all that goes on outside the ring, what happens inside of the ring is still what makes it the greatest sport in the world, however tarnished it may be. (That was sort of a contradictory statement but so what)

Juan Manuel Marquez vs Manny Pacquiao: Marquez Robbed!

Juan Manuel Marquez en route to a royal screwing

By Randy De La O

Last night's majority decision, favoring Manny Pacquiao, was an injustice to Juan Manuel Marquez, as well as to boxing fans. The fight itself was close, but there was a clear winner in this fight and it was Marquez. Thirty-six of the best rounds of boxing in three fights, between two great fighters, that should go down with the best trilogies in boxing, forever marred by – take your pick – incompetent or criminal judging.

More than anything, a man has been denied his rightful place in boxing history. As time goes on and memories fade, he will just become someone who lost three fights to Manny Pacquiao. His children will know, and so will his grandchildren, and so will the true fans of boxing but that will fade with time. By next year the rest of the sports world will have moved on as they prepare for Pacquiao vs Floyd Mmayweather Jr.

I believe that just about everyone on the planet, except for Juan Manuel Marquez and his camp, thought he was over the hill, ripe for the taking. I believe Pacquiao did to Marquez, what almost everyone, believes Mayweather is doing to Pacquiao, and that is he waited til he thought “it was safe to go back into the water”. Marquez at any age, but even at 38, has always been more than enough for Pacquiao, maybe just a little too much.

Marquez has proven himself to be a fighter for the ages, as much or maybe more so than Pacquiao or Mayweather. Never the recipient of a close fight, never given the benefit of the doubt and always in the shadow of other, more well known, but not necessarily better fighters.

Well liked but never truly taken in by his countrymen in the same way his contemporaries; Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales have been, or more recently, the way Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has been, unproven though he is.

He had only his belief, that he was among the very best of his era. Since 1993 he has plied his trade, like a craftsman, learning through trial and error, until he has mastered the art of boxing and counter punching like few others. His progress can be measured in small increments, in small nuances.

The talk before going into last night's fight with Manny Pacquiao was the degree to which Pacquiao had improved, both physically and technically since their first two meetings. Unseen and unnoticed were the improvements made by Marquez. The changes were more subtle and learned mostly through losses and tough fights with young, prime fighters. The changes that took place were inside of an already courageous fighter. He was ready for this fight with Manny Pacquiao.

I'm not going to go over every single round, you saw the fight just as I did. Overall it was Marquez who seemed to control the pace, making Manny work harder or spend energy just by virtue of his own slower paced counter punching style. Pacquiao's own face told the story throughout the fight; frustrated, worried, befuddled and bewildered at times. He was given at times to wild lunges, throwing himself off balance unable to back down a determined foe in Marquez, who stood his ground, as he always had, against anything and everything Pacquiao has in his arsenal. He got the best of the exchanges and it was almost always Pacquiao who pulled away from those exchanges. Marquez was the more accurate and sharper puncher.

The HBO announcers as always, seem to favor the house fighter (Pacquiao). As soon as each round ended, and especially those rounds that favored Marquez, Jim Lampley as quick as he could, made sure we knew what the compubox stats were, and that they favored Pacquiao. Somebody needs to tell these guys, fights are not won by compubox stats. Fights are won, with skill, technique, heart and so many other things that will never register in compubox.

Both Max Kellerman and Jim Lampley gave it their best shot in trying to convince us that Marquez lost because trainer Nacho Beristain told him he was winning. That's a stretch. You could just as easily look to the corner of Pacquiao as trainer Freddie Roach, continually told Pacquiao to get in there and “knock him out, get him out of there”. He knew.

There is no doubt in my mind that Juan Manuel Marquez won the third fight. There is no doubt in my mind that Manny Pacquiao waited for the right time to fight Marquez, before attempting to prove he was the better man. There is no doubt in my mind who the better fighter is. However razor thin that difference may be, that man is Juan Manuel Marquez.

Make no mistake about it, like it or not, Floyd Mayweather Jr is the best "pound for pound" fighter in the world today. Juan Manuel Marquez, even if I'm the only guy on the planet that recognizes it, fills the number two slot.

More Thoughts on Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez III

By Randy De La O

Jeri and I were at the hospital earlier visiting our granddaughter Maddie (she was doing good), we walked over to the cafeteria for some coffee. While we were sitting down talking she asked me, “So who do you think is going to win the fight tonight?” Referring to the Pacquiao vs Marquez fight tonight. She already knows, so it was really just a rhetorical question. Still, I wanted to answer it honestly. “Well, you really have to go with Pacquiao, he's been a great fighter”. “They fought before, right?” she asked. “Yes, and they were very close.” “Was Marquez robbed? She asked me. “No, there was no robbery, some just feel that the decision could have just as easily gone to Marquez but there was no robbery.”

That's pretty much how I honestly feel. There was no robbery involved, no one stole the victory from Marquez. Both fights were very close. They were close enough and exciting enough to warrant a third fight. But at 38, Marquez chances are much slimmer now than, say, three years ago. Still, Marquez has always been the type of fighter that I admire; a tremendous heart, great boxing and counter punching ability, a willingness to mix it up, and a refusal to quit.

His quiet demeanor has sometimes worked against him. In some ways he reminds me of the great Alexis Arguello, not so much that both were great counter punchers, but in the way that both approached their sport. Arguello was, and Marquez is, the type of fighter that comes to work, clocks in, does his job to the utmost of his ability, then clocks out and goes home. No bull shit about either fighter. Perhaps too, like Arguello, Marquez will never beat his greatest rival but it won't be because he didn't try.

There is a type of fighter that really gets to me. The late Joe Frazier, of course, was the epitome of that type. I'm talking beyond style. I've mentioned before that heart is the quality that I admire more than any other in a fighter. Sometimes it will take a fighter to hell and back, sometimes to victory and sometimes to defeat. So what it comes down to, to me, is not always so much how a fighter wins but also in the way he loses. Even in defeat some men are magnificent.

I was trying to explain to Jeri too, on what makes a champion. There have been so many great champions over the years (not so much lately) but what sometimes defines a great champ is not so much that he was better than everyone but that when facing a bigger, stronger, better fighter, he still finds a way too win. That's what true champions do.

So, that's Juan Manuel Marquez' task tonight. To find some kind of way to beat a younger, faster, better fighter, with an equally big heart and with a mission that will rival his own, These are the fights that become legend.  

Pacquiao vs Marquez III

Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez III: Third Time's the Charm for Marquez?

By Randy De La O

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquezwill go at it again tomorrow night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. They will be fighting for Pacquiao's WBO Welterweight title. I can't find too many people to agree with me but I think that Marquez has a chance to win. Regardless, I'm throwing my support behind him. Marquez, arguably, the best counterpuncher fighting today, has always had the right style to go up against Pacquiao. He has always found a way to upset Pacquiao's rhythm. I'm hoping he can do it again. Still, this is a fight that should have been made a few years ago but it is what it is.

Pacquiao and Marquez have fought twice before; a draw in 2004 and a split decision in 2008. The fights, the rivalry and the results have been discussed ad nauseum and there's no point in going over every detail again except to say that the difference between the two has always been razor thin. Given the closeness of both fights I don't understand Pacquiao's irritation at Marquez for believing that he won the fight, especially since a large part of the boxing world feels the same way.

Pacquiao seems to be concerned about the fight too. By his own admission, he is training harder for this fight than for any other. So he at least is giving Marquez some due respect. There is also a rematch clause that was added.......just in case. On the other hand, he seems to be looking past Marquez and to a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. sometime next year.

Pacquiao has momentum on his side, and he is a good fighter, no doubt (I'm still not sold on his greatness) and of course the odds and circumstances favor him, including the weight. If he has taken Marquez for granted, if he makes a mistake, if he has done one thing wrong during training, Marquez is the man that will make him pay.

I know that a fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather is good for boxing. But the way see it, if Pacquiao can't get past Marquez, than who cares about it? Not me. I believe that if this fight meets any and all expectations, regardless of who wins, it's a big shot in the arm for boxing. The future will take care of itself.

Throughout most of his career, Marquez has fought in the shadow of his countrymen, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera. Now, he has out lasted both of them and has established his own legacy. Because of his draw and split decision loss (Both controversial), he has also fought in the shadow of Manny Pacquiao. I'm hoping that tomorrow night he steps out of the shadow.

I honestly don't know who will win tomorrow but I do know that Marquez will give every ounce of himself in this fight, they both will. I also know that Manny Pacquiao has never convincingly beaten Marquez. They both have something to prove to each other, and to themselves. Both are confident. No matter how you look at it, both men have been remarkable.

That loud shouting you hear coming from Whittier will be me screaming for Marquez to win, any kind of way.

As always, let the best man win, but here's hoping, that for Marquez, the “third time's the charm”.

The fight will be shown on HBO PPV.

Catching Up on the Boxing Scene

It's been a while since I have hunkered down and written anything lately. It gets like that sometimes. I've been busy and just haven't had the time. There's been a lot going on in boxing too, some good, some not so good and some bad. It's time to catch up.

Genaro Hernandez Passes

First the bad, in this case, the tragiclly bad. As you no doubt already know, Genaro "Chicanito" Hernandez passed away earlier this month, on June 7, 2011. I know, I know, it's hard to believe. Hernandez was only 45 years old. Way to young.

Chicanito was a fan favorite due to his courageous style of fighting but it was his willingness to continue fighting after being struck in the throat by Azumah Nelson after the bell sounded to end the 7th round of their 12 round championship fight in 1997, that cemented this fact into the consciousness of fight fans when Hernandez chose to continue fighting, opting instead for a "true victory", rather than a win by disqualification. He would win that fight by a 12 round split decision. It was a gutsy and honorable move on his part.

"Chicanito" began his career with a 4 round decision win over  Dino Ramirez on August 27, 1984 at the Forum in Inglewood, California. He would end his career  on October 3, 1998, with a loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. losing the fight and the WBC Super featherweight title in the 8th round when he could no longer continue. In between he fought the best in his divisions, including Jorge Paez, Carlos Hernandez and the afore mentioned Azumah Nelson. The only other lost on his record was his 1995 fight with Oscar De La Hoya, when he was unable to continue due to a severely broken nose.

He won his first title, the vacant WBA Super Featherweight Championship, on November 22, 1991 by stopping Daniel Londas in the 9th round of their fight at the Complex Sport le COMEP in France. Hernandez vacated his WBA super Featherweight title not too long after fighting Columbian boxer Jimmy Garcia. Ironically, Garcia died as a result of injuries in his next fight with Gabriel Ruelas in 1995. Hernandez moved up to challenge Oscar De La Hoya for his lightweight title. He won the WBC Super Featherweight with his split decision victory of Azumah Nelson.

On  personal note, I would see Chicanito and his brother Rudy, every so often back in 1993 at the Brooklyn Ave Gym in Boyle Heights, where I was taking my son Andrew at the time. He had a great work ethic in the gym. He had an easy going personality and was friendly with all the kids in the gym, including my son. A couple of years later I saw him fight Jorge Paez at the Anaheim Pond in Anaheim. Paez, always a game fighter was never really in the same league as Hernandez. The fight was stopped on cuts in the 8th round with Hernandez getting the win.

Genaro Hernandez was a class act, a champion in and out of the ring. Hernandez, a native of Los Angeles, was born on May 10, 1966 and died on June , 7, 2011. he died from a rare form of cancer, Rhabomyosarcoma, that attacks the muscle fiber connected to the bones. he is survived by his wife Lilliana, his son Steven, daughter Amanda, three brothers and two sisters, as well as his father. our condolences to the Hernandez family.
R.I.P. Champ!

Bernard Hopkins vs Jean Pascal II

A belated congratulations to the "Executioner" Bernard Hopkins on defeating Jean Pascal and winning the WBC, IBO and the Ring Light Heavyweight Championships on May 21 of this year, becoming, at 46, the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a major world title,  surpassing former Heavyweight Champ George Foreman, who won the heavyweight title from Michael Moorer way back in November of 1995. Those of us who saw the first fight between Hopkins and Pascal were convinced that Hopkins, regardless of what the judges said, won that fight. Hopkins, notorious for being a great but at times boring fighter has decided to fight with a "take no prisoner:" and plans on ending his career wit a bang. Here's hoping  the old man goes out the way he wants to,

Manny Pacquiao vs Sugar Shane Mosley

While Hopkins seems to be getting better with age, a few divisions south of the light heavies, Sugar Shane Mosley is struggling in his battle with Father Time. Mosley, for all practical purposes, put absolutely zero effort in his fight against Manny Pacquiao on May 7th. Mosley didn't outright  quit but he did quit tying and that amounts to the same thing. I ain't mad at him though, Mosley has been through some tough ring wars and has never given anything less than a 100% of himself in every fight he has been in. His fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year was a portent of things to come, so was his fight with Sergio Mora which ended in a draw. In the Mora fight Mosley probably should have got the win but a uninspired and lackluster effort by both men made the outcome a virtual "Who gives a crap?".

I don't think Mosley was conning us when he signed to fight Pacquiao I think time just caught up with him and he was caught off guard. he was sincere in his belief that he had the right stuff to beat him. I was really hoping to see Mosley come away with a victory. At one time maybe but not in 2011. Mosley has been one of my favorite fighters almost since he began his pro career but I can't imagine anyone willing to shell out the bucks for another PPV fight but who knows?

Manny Pacquiao? As far as I'm concerned a victory over an aged Shane Mosley amounts to nothing.

A Goodbye to Shirley O'Neill

Shirley O'Neill, the wife of Bill O'Neill was laid to rest on Thursday June 9th at the Memory Garden Memorial Park in Brea, California.. The funeral was a celebration of a life well lived and well loved. Testimonies by friends and family spoke of her generous and giving heart. After the funeral service, family and friends gathered at the Summit House in Fullerton for food, conversation and remembrances. Our thoughts and prayers are with the O'Neill family. R.I.P. Shirley.

Pacquiao vs Mosley: Tale of the Tape

Click on the photo for a larger view

Manny Pacquiao vs Sugar Shane Mosley

Photos Courtesy of Showtime Boxing

By Randy De La O

Years ago, when my father, the late great Andrew De La O was still alive, he would almost always answer the obvious questions with "It's possible but not probable". I have no doubt that would be his answer to "Hey Dad, do you think Mosley can beat Pacquiao?" It would be petty hard to argue with that. A decade ago I would probably say Mosley, without a doubt but it's not 2001, it's 2011 and Mosley is nearing 40 years of age. The odds favor Manny Pacquiao, big time..

That being said, if there is any fighter alive, in or around that weight class, that can find the possibility of beating Pacquiao, it's Sugar Shane Mosley. Manny is great, no doubt. I'm not convinced he can walk on water but he can fight, I''ll give him that. What makes it even microscopically possible is Manny's style and Mosley's quickness. Mosley is a pure fighter and is at his absolute best when the man in front of him chooses to fight. Mosley is still (possibly) quick enough to make that work for him.

I've been accused more than once of thinking with my heart when it comes to the fighters that I like. It's true, I'm not denying it but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm wrong. In this case my head knows better but my heart will still be pulling for Mosley. He's the underdog here and I love an underdog. Plus, Mosley is an L.A. area fighter, a hometown guy and he has a huge heart, maybe the biggest in the game today. I'm hoping to see Mosley win this one. He's what my old trainer Mel Epstein would call " a deserving guy".

When the fight was first announced I was dead set against it, It just seemed too much to ask of Mosley. The fight game can be cruel, crueler than most sports. The reward for a great career is to grow old and be pitted against a younger, stronger fighter than yourself. It's just the way of the sport. Think Muhammad Ali vs Larry Holmes in 1980, Sugar Ray Leonard's 1991 fight with Terry Norris or more recently Oscar De La Hoya's beat down by Manny Pacquiao in 2008 or any number of fights over the years. Very few escape it. Mosley is well aware of the risks. The decision was his to make.

Still, my hope, and it's a slim one, is that Mosley wins big and retires. I know, I know, I'm thinking with my heart again. I can't help it. But hey, anythings possible, right?

Sugar Shane Mosley will be challenging Manny Pacquiao for Pacquiao's WBO Weltereight title, May 7, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will be shown on Showtime PPV. As always, may the best man win.

Related articles

• Mosley sees no age, speed edge for Pacquiao (canada.com)
• Manny Pacquiao: Does Shane Mosley Have Any Chance at Beating Pacquiao? (bleacherreport.com)
• Manny Pacquia: Pacman Says Shane Mosley Will Give Him Trouble (bleacherreport.com)
• Manny Pacquiao Vs. Shane Mosley Talk, Boxing News With Scott Christ And Luke Thomas (sbnation.com)

Is Manny Pacquiao Ducking African American Fighters?

By Randy De La O

"Maybe I'm biased because I'm black, but I think that this is what is said at people's homes and around the dinner table among black boxing fans and fighters. Most of them won't say it [in public] because they're not being real and they don't have the balls to say it, "But I do think that a fighter like the Ray Leonards or anyone like that would beat a guy [like Pacquiao] if they come with their game,


Listen, this ain't a racial thing, but then again, maybe it is, but the style that is embedded in most of us black fighters, that style could be a problem to any other style of fighting." - Bernard Hopkins

-----

Look, Man, I don't want to get in a racial beef with anyone but that statements really does call for some type of rebuttal, even a brief one. I mean, how do you respond to a statement like that?  Bullshit is the first word that comes to mind

With one inane statement Bernard Hopkins has just relegated every nonblack fighter to a secondary status. There are in fact three possible reasons that Manny Pacquiao has not faced any black fighters.

First, early in his career Manny Pacquiao fought all his early fights excluslivly in Asia, most of them being in the Philippines.

Secondly, in the championship stage of his career Manny Pacquiao fought the best fighters of his division, period. Is it his fault that the best at that time weren't black or that the best happened to be mostly Hispanic fighters? The guys he fought were champions in their respective division; Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez and Ricky Hatton. The only black fighter with a Leonard like style of fighting is Floyd Mayweather Jr. and if anyone can get him to sign the dotted line (good luck) Manny will fight him. To the best of my knowledge, Manny had already agreed to take the test. That the fight has yet to take place is squarely on Mayweather's shoulders.

Thirdly, maybe Bernard should consider the possibility that some of the black fighters in the lower weight division are ducking Manny Pacquiao. Who should he have fought? Nate Campbell? Too spotty a record and can't really be considered a serious threat. Zab Judah? Hold on, let me stop laughing,... okay, by the time Manny got to the higher weight classes, Judah, all on his own became a Persona Non Grata. He was a non issue by the time Pacquiao got to the Junior Welters. Tim Bradley, Devon Alexander and Andre Berto are all good fighters but all three are just now starting to make their mark. No one can seriously make the case that Manny Pacquiao is ducking them. So who exactly is he ducking? Why can't he or anyone else ask "Why is Floyd Mayweather Jr. avoiding Filipino fighters?". Now that's a fair question. If you can find one on his record I'll eat my hat.

While I agree with Bernard Hopkins that some black fighters do posses, albeit, to a lesser degree, a Leonard like style that is unique to African American fighters, I don't think they are, across the board, automatically better. If that's the case, why are two brothers from Ukraine holding the heavyweight belts hostage?

It's the man and his ability and nothing else.

What sickens me most is not what Hopkins said but this statement by Bob Arum "A fight with Shane Mosley would answer that situation,". If Pacquiao takes that fight I'll take back every good thing I ever said about him. Mosley, one of the best fighters of his era has seen his better days and though it pains me to say it, at this stage of his career it would sending him to the wolves for a big payday. Bob Arum should be made to go one round with Pacquiao just for thinking it.

Related articles

• Bernard Hopkins: African-American fighters would give Manny Pacquiao tougher challenge (sports.espn.go.com)
• It Ain't My Fault: 10 Obstacles To a Pacquiao/Mayweather Fight (bleacherreport.com)

Post Fight Interview With Manny Pacquiao

It's interesting to note that Pacquiao has a shiner on his right eye. Evidence that Joshua Clottey did at least throw some punches just not enough. Pacquiao also states how difficult this fight with Clottey was.

Manny Pacquiao Vs Joshua Clottey

ARLINGTON, TX - MARCH 13: (R-L) Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines throws a left to the body of Joshua Clottey of Ghana during the WBO welterweight title fight at Cowboys Stadium on March 13, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Pacquiao defeated Clottey by unanimous decision. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

By Randy De La O


Starting today and for the rest of his life Joshua Clottey will be asking himself “Why didn‘t I? Why didn’t I listen to my corner man. Why didn’t I get mad? Why didn’t I throw more punches? Why didn’t I even Friggin try? He will relive the moment and create scenarios where he actually fights back and then he will open his eyes and finds that nothing has changed. As is usually the case in boxing he will find that he has no one to blame but himself. Oh, he might try. He’ll fire this guy or that guy but still, but nothing will have changed. It will always come down to this: Clottey never took a risk, never took a chance on victory, and therein lies the rub-you have to actually throw punches to win a fight.

The most frustrating thing about Saturday night’s fight between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey is that he was actually capable of winning this fight and if not win, at least capable of making a great fight. It comes down to this: It’s not that he couldn’t he just wouldn’t. I hope he can live with that.

I think I am finally prepared to place Manny Pacquiao within the Pantheon of Boxing’s greats. He deserves to be mentioned with Boxing’s greatests: with the Duran’s, the Chavez’, the Armstrong’s, the Sugars, both Robinson and Leonard. He truly is a phenomenal fighter. He is a timeless warrior and could have fought in any era. If that wasn’t plain for me to see before it is plainly visible to me today.

Pacquiao had before him a legitimately strong welterweight and a worthy challenger. A former champion that was still in the mix. Pacquiao reduced him to a man willing just to survive. Clottey had a tight defense, a sort of peek-a-boo, middle of the ring rope-a-dope. It took Manny a few rounds to figure him out. When he did he turned on the Pacquiao machine and went to work on Clottey’s body, finding the right angle and landing the right hand just below the rib cage. As Teddy Atlas likes to say “he was collecting interest, he was making an investment in his future” . Pacquiao never stopped throwing punches and while Clottey did have a few moments where he could actually break through Pacquiao’s defense, he was just too timid or overwhelmed, by the amount of punches being thrown at him.

The fight was a great showcase for Pacquiao in everyway. It was a chance to see a Zen Master at work. That alone was (more or less) worth the money, but it was not a great fight. For that you need two willing participants. My hope? My hope is that on May 1 of this year Sugar Shane Mosley knocks out Floyd Mayweather Jr in spectacular fashion thereby setting up a fight with Manny Pacquiao. Manny and Shane are cut from the same cloth. What stirs these two warriors is not the money. It’s the love of the game and that’s where true greatness lies.

Highlights of the Pacquiao vs Clottey fight

Paquiao vs Clottey Undercard

The fight at the Cowboys Stadium, Dallas Texas will be shown on HBO Pay Per View and has a dynamite undercard.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey (WBO welterweight championship)
Humberto Soto vs. David Diaz (WBC lightweight championship)
Alfonso Gomez vs. Jose Luis Castillo (welterweight)
John Duddy vs. Michael Medina (middleweight)
Salvador Sanchez vs. Jaime Villa (featherweight)
Roberto Marroquin vs. TBA (junior featherweight)
Michael Farenas vs. Joe Morales (featherweight)
Eden Sonsona vs. Mauricio Pastrana (junior featherweight)
Rodrigo Garcia vs. Noe Hernandez (junior middleweight)
Alex Trevino vs. Isaac Hidalgo (featherweight)

Manny Pacquiao Vs Joshua Clottey

Manny Pacquiao Vs Joshua Clottey Live stream
Originally uploaded by santinonoc

By Randy De La O

Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey fight tonight for Pacquiao’s WBO Welterweight title, at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Conventional wisdom says Pacquiao should win this fight and he probably will but as my father used to say “There’s no such thing as a sure thing”. Despite losing to Miguel Cotto in his last fight - losing a split decision that some felt should have gone his way - Clottey is a real fighter and not some “tomato can” brought in to fill the bill.

I’m not quite a true believer in Manny Pacquiao just yet.. Yeah, I know everybody thinks Pacquiao is the greatest thing since sliced bread but as far as I’m concerned he’s a good fighter with an impeccable sense of timing when it comes to selecting opponents. Don’t take my word for it, it’s in the record book. Clottey may just be the first real opponent that Pacquiao faces that doesn’t come in with some type of handicap, the exception being Juan Manuel Marquez. Though Clottey himself is no spring chicken, he seems to be in his physical prime and poses a real threat to Pacquiao. I’m not predicting an upset but I won’t be 100% surprised if there is one. Think Buster Douglas.

Still, having said that, Pacquiao will be a tough nut to crack. Clottey with 20 KO’s out of 39 fights is a good but not devastating puncher and though he is reasonably quick he comes nowhere near Pacquiao when it comes to speed. He will have to find some way to impose his will on Pacquiao and at this point I’m not sure he can do that.

Pacquiao has been given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the drug testing fiasco between him and Floyd Mayweather but as far as I’m concerned he is equally culpable. All he had to do was say “Okay”. It’s easy to question Mayweather’s motives for asking for the Olympic style drug testing because , let’s face it, nobody really likes Mayweather. He’s the “bad guy” in almost every one of his fights, as opposed to Manny, who is almost always the crowd favorite. As far as I’m concerned Pacquiao’s motive for refusing to be tested are just as questionable.

Clottey has proven himself to be a tough, durable fighter and has gone the distance with a couple of good fighters. I figure he’ll make it to the final bell tonight in a losing effort but I’ll be pulling for an upset. Boxing needs another shot in the arm.