Michael Marley: "Pacquiao must accept Martinez challenge"

Professional Pacquiao nut hugger Marley speaks out. Fellow pacfans must follow his lead and stop protecting Pacquiao from Martinez. http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-national/daredevil-pacquiao-must-accept-martinez-challenge Manny Pacquiao lives by the Warrior's Code and thus backs down from no man who can present a reasonable challenge to his lofty status. But his promoter, Bob Arum, lives by the Businessman's Code and his primal tendency is to protect Pacman from such macho urges. Arum is the pragmatic one while Pacquiao is the dramatic one in their symbiotic and prosperous relationship. I say that, when it comes to Pacquiao fighting middleweight ruler Sergio Martinez at 150 pounds, the fighter should overrule the promoter. It would more icing on Pacquiao's career cake, it says here, to beat the formidable but not unbeatable Argentinean. No, it would not technically make Pacman a nine weight class world champion with a specified weight three pounds above the welterweight and four pounds away from the junior middleweight limit. But it would be a genuine achievement and, in doing so, it would take a chess piece off the board for Pacquiao's reluctant Super Fight foe, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. At 150 pounds, I've little doubt that Pacquiao would whip "Maravilla" in a fight that is sure to excite. By going where Mayweather dares not tread, Pacquiao would be making the boldest statement of his already more than illustrious career. As far as styles making fights, let's see Martinez go into his hands held low routine against Pacman. Southpaw Martinez would run into a "Manila Ice" storm that would freeze him in his tracks. So don't cry for Arum, Argentina. In this instance, the athlete should overrule his Uncle Bob. Pacquiao is the guy who should set his own limits, especially in this winding down phase of his boxing life. Imagine what a victory over Martinez would do to Mayweather and his many minions. The sounds of stunned silence could never be as sweet.