LETHAL COMBINATION –
PART I
by Doods A. Amora, PEE
PART I
by Doods A. Amora, PEE
In an environment of sanctioned violence, the Pacquiao-Diaz banner on June 29, 2008 (Philippine Time) is promising a feast on the gushing crimson fluid - to the pleasure of the bloodthirsty in boxing.
Incidentally, both are ‘never-say-die’ brawlers. Both are industrious and relentless. With work-rates constantly pumping aggression from the two fighters, the match-up has all the makings of an awesome explosion.
What a classic fight it should be! That’s how the Pacquiao–Diaz encounter beckons from the horizon.
DAVID DIAZ:
Simply put, David Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs) is the current World Boxing Council’s (WBC) lightweight champion. But his crown is at stake – a threat not from an ordinary mortal but a risk from the most popular boxer in the planet today.
“I have been watching Pacquiao’s last fight with Marquez and his first fight with Morales on video and we think we see some things we can expose. If Manny comes at me all crazy and relentless, then I will get a little crazy too because I can get crazy myself”, David Diaz as quoted by the media.
Objectively, David Diaz is a legitimate champion in the 135 pound territory. However, during the time when the lightweight division was ruled by the Diazes, David was perceived as the least menace. Erik Morales himself wanted to prove it when he challenged David in his quest for a fourth world title. But then Morales was wrong when he failed his date with history. Although Erik had some good moments when he floored Diaz somewhere in the first round, but David’s uncompromising hard work overtook what could have been Erik’s sweetest winning moments. The fight, by twist of fate, proved otherwise as the greatest victory so far by David Diaz.
Of course, David’s knockdown by Erik had put to serious issue the integrity of David's chin. But then in boxing, no one knows when the miscues and flashes of fortunes ensue when two boxers mix it up inside the square arena. Bumping into a hard cracking counter right hand, David Diaz wobbled and was knocked down in a round which could have been his. Durable as he was though, despite the knockdown David labored bravely till the final round to win the bout convincingly. And his work-rate was the key. An incredible toil reflective of the heart of a warrior – indeed!
Aside from being a natural lightweight, David’s body is big & wide – and capable of inflicting injury to whoever clashing his way. Can the Pacman withstand the blows of a lightweight? On the other hand, can the power of a super-featherweight jolt a much-bigger opponent? Or, moving up in weight - an advantage or disadvantage?
Either way I believe anyway, but Flash Elorde failed in his time. Can the Pacman succeed where Elorde failed? As anybody might have surmised today, Elorde in his own battle with Ortiz needed to work doubly hard as his power could be absorbed by the bigger opponent. But then there are limits as to one’s capacity. The Flash had to yield to reality – not once but twice, if my memory serves me right.
Incidentally, both are ‘never-say-die’ brawlers. Both are industrious and relentless. With work-rates constantly pumping aggression from the two fighters, the match-up has all the makings of an awesome explosion.
What a classic fight it should be! That’s how the Pacquiao–Diaz encounter beckons from the horizon.
DAVID DIAZ:
Simply put, David Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs) is the current World Boxing Council’s (WBC) lightweight champion. But his crown is at stake – a threat not from an ordinary mortal but a risk from the most popular boxer in the planet today.
“I have been watching Pacquiao’s last fight with Marquez and his first fight with Morales on video and we think we see some things we can expose. If Manny comes at me all crazy and relentless, then I will get a little crazy too because I can get crazy myself”, David Diaz as quoted by the media.
Objectively, David Diaz is a legitimate champion in the 135 pound territory. However, during the time when the lightweight division was ruled by the Diazes, David was perceived as the least menace. Erik Morales himself wanted to prove it when he challenged David in his quest for a fourth world title. But then Morales was wrong when he failed his date with history. Although Erik had some good moments when he floored Diaz somewhere in the first round, but David’s uncompromising hard work overtook what could have been Erik’s sweetest winning moments. The fight, by twist of fate, proved otherwise as the greatest victory so far by David Diaz.
Of course, David’s knockdown by Erik had put to serious issue the integrity of David's chin. But then in boxing, no one knows when the miscues and flashes of fortunes ensue when two boxers mix it up inside the square arena. Bumping into a hard cracking counter right hand, David Diaz wobbled and was knocked down in a round which could have been his. Durable as he was though, despite the knockdown David labored bravely till the final round to win the bout convincingly. And his work-rate was the key. An incredible toil reflective of the heart of a warrior – indeed!
Aside from being a natural lightweight, David’s body is big & wide – and capable of inflicting injury to whoever clashing his way. Can the Pacman withstand the blows of a lightweight? On the other hand, can the power of a super-featherweight jolt a much-bigger opponent? Or, moving up in weight - an advantage or disadvantage?
Either way I believe anyway, but Flash Elorde failed in his time. Can the Pacman succeed where Elorde failed? As anybody might have surmised today, Elorde in his own battle with Ortiz needed to work doubly hard as his power could be absorbed by the bigger opponent. But then there are limits as to one’s capacity. The Flash had to yield to reality – not once but twice, if my memory serves me right.
Beating a ‘smaller guy’ in Manny Pacquiao must have been a motivation to the psyche of Diaz. But Manny just recently had been quoted by the media, saying: “I don’t believe Diaz is stronger than me. I believe I am stronger than him. Moving up in weight is not a problem for me because I will maintain my speed and power.”
“I am doing well in training because I can eat more than when I was trying to make 130 pounds. I feel very good. I like to eat rice and vegetables when I am training. In the past when I was trying to make 130 pounds I was tired from not eating, and I felt less powerful. Now that I can eat a bit more I feel I have more energy.” This definitely is something Diaz has to worry.
But then, basing on the recent Diaz-Montano fight, many observers believe that David is not even near to Manny’s level. He is a slugger, always in front of his opponent, throwing punches endlessly but at the same time, absorbing blows in such a style that is ironically best suited to the hurricane combinations of the Pacman.
Will Lady Luck be with him this time? Let’s see…
MANNY PACQUIAO:
On the other hand, the challenger in Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs) who started his career as a 107 pounder will be testing the waters of an uncharted terrain at 135. Fresh from his recent crowning by the Ring Magazine as the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, Pacquaio (just like Morales) aimed at special history to be the first Asian to win four world titles in four weight categories. And that’s not the end of the quest for more glory – the Pacman had already trained his sight to fight Hatton in a much-heavier division.
Is Pacquaio looking past Diaz? From the looks of it, it is. Wrong self-hypnosis...? Maybe yes, maybe not….
But whether or not Pacman can deliver another expectacular performance, this time and for the first time in the 135 pound class is the question.
What goes up, must come down. No Manny, not this time, please. But it seems that boxing enthusiasts are now in the belief that Manny’s phenomenal boxing career is on the downtrend basing on that rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera. Add to the list Pacquiao’s latest performance in the rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez in Unfinished Business II. As I wrote in my previous article; Marquez to me, won that fight! And I’m not posed to retract it.
Manny Pacquaio is now the WBC and Ring Magazine Super Featherweight Champion – the very titles he grabbed from Juan Manuel Marquez. But many of Pacman’s fans are concerned about the prize, if not, the hazards of being a superstar. Superstardom carries with it the swelling but intoxicating benefits arising from success. He is no longer as hungry as before as thought by many. Now super-rich, Pacquiao is seemingly the busiest celebrity and sportsman in-between fights. Probably preserving his multi-million assets, the Pacman, far from his usual signature, is now perceived as no longer exciting.
While Diaz did not stop his training regimen after the Montano fight, Manny reported for work late – to the displeasure of Freddie Roach. Has Pacman’s richness brought him to lethargy? Or is it over-confidence?
Maybe yes, maybe not… But then it happened in the Larios fight! Remember that scary third round? And who was Larios, by the way? Sad to say, Chololo was not in the company of Pacman’s class! Yet he almost ended the battle early.
In a more recent scene of the Unfinished Business II, Pacman had two months preparation, but Marquez had three full months. Nobody thought Marquez would last the distance, but Marquez showed the savvy of a world-class fighter that he is.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN:
When these two aggressive warriors collide, expect a loud blast. Pacquiao is known for his jaw-shattering punch carried-out in blinding speed and power. I can now visualize a perfect showcase of the secret ‘Marco Bolo’ technique which failed to appear in both the Pacman-Barrera II and Pacman-Marquez II. Moreover, David’s questionable defense is not known for counter-punching proficiency. I think Diaz’s chin would not last long. KO in the middle rounds! And there will be no debate about it.
However, if the bout goes the full distance, the effects of the natural weights will prevail. So with the effects of over-confidence on the part of Pacquiao!
“I am doing well in training because I can eat more than when I was trying to make 130 pounds. I feel very good. I like to eat rice and vegetables when I am training. In the past when I was trying to make 130 pounds I was tired from not eating, and I felt less powerful. Now that I can eat a bit more I feel I have more energy.” This definitely is something Diaz has to worry.
But then, basing on the recent Diaz-Montano fight, many observers believe that David is not even near to Manny’s level. He is a slugger, always in front of his opponent, throwing punches endlessly but at the same time, absorbing blows in such a style that is ironically best suited to the hurricane combinations of the Pacman.
Will Lady Luck be with him this time? Let’s see…
MANNY PACQUIAO:
On the other hand, the challenger in Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs) who started his career as a 107 pounder will be testing the waters of an uncharted terrain at 135. Fresh from his recent crowning by the Ring Magazine as the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, Pacquaio (just like Morales) aimed at special history to be the first Asian to win four world titles in four weight categories. And that’s not the end of the quest for more glory – the Pacman had already trained his sight to fight Hatton in a much-heavier division.
Is Pacquaio looking past Diaz? From the looks of it, it is. Wrong self-hypnosis...? Maybe yes, maybe not….
But whether or not Pacman can deliver another expectacular performance, this time and for the first time in the 135 pound class is the question.
What goes up, must come down. No Manny, not this time, please. But it seems that boxing enthusiasts are now in the belief that Manny’s phenomenal boxing career is on the downtrend basing on that rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera. Add to the list Pacquiao’s latest performance in the rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez in Unfinished Business II. As I wrote in my previous article; Marquez to me, won that fight! And I’m not posed to retract it.
Manny Pacquaio is now the WBC and Ring Magazine Super Featherweight Champion – the very titles he grabbed from Juan Manuel Marquez. But many of Pacman’s fans are concerned about the prize, if not, the hazards of being a superstar. Superstardom carries with it the swelling but intoxicating benefits arising from success. He is no longer as hungry as before as thought by many. Now super-rich, Pacquiao is seemingly the busiest celebrity and sportsman in-between fights. Probably preserving his multi-million assets, the Pacman, far from his usual signature, is now perceived as no longer exciting.
While Diaz did not stop his training regimen after the Montano fight, Manny reported for work late – to the displeasure of Freddie Roach. Has Pacman’s richness brought him to lethargy? Or is it over-confidence?
Maybe yes, maybe not… But then it happened in the Larios fight! Remember that scary third round? And who was Larios, by the way? Sad to say, Chololo was not in the company of Pacman’s class! Yet he almost ended the battle early.
In a more recent scene of the Unfinished Business II, Pacman had two months preparation, but Marquez had three full months. Nobody thought Marquez would last the distance, but Marquez showed the savvy of a world-class fighter that he is.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN:
When these two aggressive warriors collide, expect a loud blast. Pacquiao is known for his jaw-shattering punch carried-out in blinding speed and power. I can now visualize a perfect showcase of the secret ‘Marco Bolo’ technique which failed to appear in both the Pacman-Barrera II and Pacman-Marquez II. Moreover, David’s questionable defense is not known for counter-punching proficiency. I think Diaz’s chin would not last long. KO in the middle rounds! And there will be no debate about it.
However, if the bout goes the full distance, the effects of the natural weights will prevail. So with the effects of over-confidence on the part of Pacquiao!
Work, work & work! That’s the Diaz trademark. With stamina derived from focused training and conditioning, Diaz will be glorified by a split decision.
Diaz will then join in the mega-bucks rank. That’s the best guess I can make.
Doods/June 2008
Diaz will then join in the mega-bucks rank. That’s the best guess I can make.
Doods/June 2008
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