Ring Editor: Manny's Punching Power Too Much For Larios

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Respected Ring Magazine editor-in-chief Nigel Collins says Manny Pacquiao’s punching power will be the big difference in his showdown with Mexican Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

In an email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Collins who personally presented the Ring championship belt to Pacquiao at a Malacanang ceremony graced by President Arroyo after Pacquiao’s demolition of Marco Antonio Barrera in November 2004, said “I think the bout will look a little like the action-packed first Larios- Wayne McCullough fight” which Larios won.

However, Collins noted “the big difference will be that Manny is a much harder puncher than McCullough which should be enough to bring him (Pacquiao) another victory, unless of course his outside-of-the-ring distractions haven’t taken too much out of him.”

Collins felt that Larios should give Pacquiao “a respectable contest, especially if he uses his legs to box at long range.”

The editor-in-chief of Ring Magazine which is considered the “Bible of Boxing” said Pacquiao was No. 3 in the top ten pound-for-pound list and was the Ring’s No.1 super featherweight.