Pacquiao: My Speed, Power And Agression Are On Point!

By Jake Donovan

Manny Pacquiao’s rise to the top was widely celebrated for his ability to carry his speed and power up the scales, though that hasn’t entirely been the case since moving up to welterweight for good in 2009. Having racked up titles in a record eight weight divisions, Pacquiao—once upon a time the World flyweight champion—struck fear into the hearts of fighters all the way up to super welterweight during his historic run.

However, it’s been more than five years since the renowned superstar from Philippines has registered a knockout, when he stopped Miguel Cotto in the 12th and final round of their Nov. ’11 catchweight bout to claim a welterweight title. In fact, his only fight to end inside the distance since that night was when Pacquiao was flattened in the 6th round of his epic fourth fight with longtime rival Juan Manuel Marquez in Dec. ’12.

Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38KOs) has scored two wins since then as he prepares for a showdown with unbeaten Chris Algieri. The bout takes place at a maximum catchweight of 144 lb., though with a welterweight belt at stake in their HBO PPV headliner Saturday evening in Macau (Sunday morning local time).

At 5’10”, Algieiri (20-0, 8KOs) represents the third tallest opponent Pacquiao has ever faced, right behind Oscar de la Hoya and Antonio Margarito. Both fighters were at the tail end of their respective careers at the time of their fights with the legendary southpaw, while Algieri is in the heart of his prime and coming off of his biggest win to date, a debated 12-round decision over Ruslan Provodnikov, who also trains with Pacquiao under Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.

Despite the advantages Algieri brings into the ring, the 140 lb. titlist—who boasts minimal power in his current division—is still moving up in weight to face one of the very best in the world, and who has fought above the 140 lb. division for more than five years. His crafty style could prove troublesome, but many have pegged this fight as the one where Pacquiao increases his knockout total for the first time since 2009.

For what it’s worth, the defending welterweight titlist insists that the boxing world will witness a transformation to the fighter of old come Saturday night.

“I believe this is going to be an exciting fight,” states Pacquiao, whose time behind the mic was mostly spent thanking God and quoting scripture. However, through verses came the revelation that “my speed, power and aggression are all on point.”

Pacquiao is a healthy 8-1 betting favorite to win the fight. While most oddsmakers believe the fight will go rounds, the Over/Under has been set at 9½ rounds.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com, as well as the Records Keeper for the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a member of Boxing Writers Association of America . Twitter: @JakeNDaBox