Why so many pacquiao haters?
WHY SO MANY PACQUIAO HATERS?
Published on Friday, 14 December 2012 05:20
Written by Darren Barcomb
As the dust has settled from last weekend’s brutal KO of Manny Pacquiao by Juan Manuel Marquez, the boxing world has been quick to smear the Pac Man, and I for one am not impressed by the disrespect going out to the former multi-division champ.
Yes, Pacquiao walked into one and found himself motionless on the mat in what was the 4th matchup between these two warriors, but come on- why all the Pacquiao hatred? I’ve seen many a champion boxer stay long past their prime; sticking around for the money, tarnishing legacies, and endangering their health, but Manny Pacquiao is not yet in that category. At 33 years old, and with 51 professional fights under his belt, Pacquiao has plenty of quality boxing ahead of him if that’s the avenue he ultimately decides to take.
Ok, so he’s lost two in a row, but he was ahead on the scorecards when he was laid out by a very capable and powerful Marquez, and if you are actually one of the few people who feel that Pacquiao deserved to lose to Timothy Bradley in June, please stop reading this article now because there is no way I can convince you of anything.
Pacquiao still has the advantage over Marquez 2-1-1 in their four matchups and if Bob Arum and company have their say there will be a Pacquiao vs. Marquez 5. Count on it, and why not? The fight will sell, it will be competitive, and maybe the surprise KO is what it will take to bring out a dedicated and hungry Pac Man.
Regardless of the KO last weekend, Pacquiao is still the biggest draw in boxing and has plenty of options. Don’t count out the long dreamed of super fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. just yet either. I for one would like to see Pacquiao receive a much deserved rematch with Bradley as well, although I don’t see that one happening.
So back to my original question, why so many Pacquiao haters? Sometimes people just like to hate. Maybe it’s his nationality, or his mass appeal, or even his squeaky clean persona. Those traits though, along with his ring accomplishments, should make him revered. He will go down as an all-time great, and will retire when he is ready- and not a moment sooner.
Haters hate and lovers love, but Manny Pacquiao simply does what he does best; box. Your fans are still behind you Manny, smile at your haters and count your belts and money. That’ll make them hate just a little more……