TWO FIGHTS MANNY PACQUIAO SHOULD
CONSIDER NOT TO TAKE SERIOUSLY
Two fights boxing icon Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao should consider not to take seriously are those “crazy” super-fight against an opponent with a huge weight difference involved. The other one, is the fight which had leaked up recently is the presidency in the coming 2022 polls.
The Pac Man has eaten up world-title belts in eight weight classes – and coach Freddie Roach thinks he might even consider stepping up from 147lb to 160lb to capture an incredible ninth championship.
A potential opponent? Gennady Golovkin – one of the all-time great middleweights. Oh dear.
Roach, Pacman’s long time coach discusses a potential showdown with Mikey Garcia, but adds: “The thing is, Manny might want to go a little bit higher and fight GGG [Golovkin] or one of those guys who’s supposed to be the best.”
The Filipino phenomenon is famous for the ways he spectacularly climbed the weight classes. Way back in 2008, he jumped two divisions from lightweight to welterweight to end Oscar de la Hoya’s career in sensational fashion.
However he is 41 now and middleweight (160lb) would be a massive step up for a 5ft-6in boxer who started his career as a light-flyweight.
Roach clearly sees the danger, but does sound a note of hope, saying: “I would not advise him to go to 160 pounds, no. That would be a little crazy. But putting him at 147 was a risk at one time… and it worked out really good for us.”
Pacquiao has pulled off near-miracles in the past and he looked remarkably sharp in ruining the unbeaten record of one of the world’s best welterweights, Keith Thurman, last year.
However the leap in weight isn’t even as intimidating as the opponent Roach names.
Golovkin is a big, skilled, hard-punching, iron-chinned middleweight. Even at 38 and probably past his own prime – as shown by his struggles in his last fight with Sergiy Derevyanchenko – he is a fearsome test for most middleweights. Let alone 40-something welterweights.
The Kazacks’s only blemishes in his 42 fights (40 wins, 35 by KO) are a draw and a points loss to Canelo Alvarez. Both bouts could have been scored Golovkin’s way.
Even with the view that he’s been slowing down for some time – the first signs coming in his 2016 win over Britain’s Kell Brook – he’d be a huge favourite over Pacquiao in any possible matchup.
The southpaw icon would have advantages in speed and mobility but would be seriously outsized by a boxer who knows how to cut off the ring. Also, Pacquiao is unlikely to be able to hurt Golovkin, given he’s never been knocked down in his pro career.
Yet Triple G has been delaying in taking a long-rumoured third fight with Canelo – and we know Pacquiao is not afraid of a challenge. Crazier things have happened in boxing.
Pacquiao still desires to be the best there is,” Roach said of the legendary boxer who is also a senator in the Philippines with broader political ambitions.
“He wants to make his country better, and he wants to improve everything… He works hard and he’ll do the best he can for everybody out there.
“I think he’s good for the country and I think he’d be a great president. I’d vote for him.”
In other perspective, does Senator Manny Paquiao have a fighting chance in the presidential polls comes year 2020.
Senator Pacquiao is a strong candidate for the presidency in 2022. As an international icon boxing legend, and a multi-millionaire with an inspiring backstory, he can and will likely be a media darling.
The alleged leak may have been intended to possibly deter potential opponents who do not have a similar sized financial war chest, level of name recall, and political affiliations.
He can win. But should he?
Fair enough for backing your man Freddie, but we also kind of hope seeing Tyson Fury elected as British Prime Minister is more likely than watching Pacquiao and Golovkin trade punches in the ring.#