Forget about May and the Welterweight Div.

I think that Pac should forget about Mayweather, the welterweight division and go back down to light-welter. Let me explain. If you look at Manny's weight profile, he is just barely making the weight at welter. At weigh-in he was below the maximum weight limit by 2 pounds and could only re-hydrate to 150. Meanwhile, Rios was able to re-hydrate up to 159 pounds at fight night. This has always been pretty much the case for Pac when he fights at welter. There's a justifiable belief in boxing that higher weight classes attract more attention, so guys like Pac, Marquez, Soto, and I'm sure there are many others you can think of that are always trying to move up weight classes. Well I think Pac and Marquez have proven themselves and have enough of a fan-following that they can go back down to a weight division that is more natural to their body mass. Marquez was super-featherweight for many years and only started moving up to pursue Manny, meanwhile Manny has to get up for midnight snacks just to maintain his weight. Another interesting consideration is that the light-welter division makes for some new and intriguing match-ups - with the likes of Danny Garcia, Lucas Matthyse, Mike Alvarado, Peterson, and maybe his old friend and stablemate - Amir Khan. There's also the long-shot possibility of banging it out with his current friend Provodnikov - I think these fights are more intriguing than another possible rematch with Bradley or Marquez, and I'm also getting tired of watching him pursue a fight against Mayweather. I would like to see Pac go back down and score some dramatic KOs again. It seems that his punches don't have the same sting at welter. Sure he disfigures people's faces, but that's from volume. I just don't think Pac's body mass has enough inertia to knock people out at 147 pounds. On the flip-side, whenever he gets tagged, there is a definite impact to his body. During the post-fight interview, Pac confirmed that Rios really hurt him somewhere around the 5th round, and even in his win against Margarito, Pac's body took plenty of punishment and he was hospitalized for a few days because of it. I think both Pac and Marquez should go back down to divisions that their bodies normally belong to. Their KO percentage will go back up and I personally like the potential match-ups the light welterweight division can provide.

Comments (18)

Maybe Team Pac got the idea here? I'm so glad that Pac is planning to go back down to his more natural weight. Watch-out world, thunderous KOs are coming back!

11y ago

balintawak

I'm not holding my breath for Floyd I know what you're saying and it makes sense but. Pac and Floyd are the exact same weight...which begs the question. Does Pac look like he can't hang on floyds level if he has to drop down? Also like I said TR has nothing at 140 worth mentioning Rios and Alvarado? They're worse than Khan and that's going to be a terrible joke of a fight if Floyd takes it. When it comes to Pac he's connected to Floyd at this point...and what either of them does reflects on the other...hence why dropping to 140 because it's easier or he belongs there.... isn't a good look. I think once again the point is being missed. Let me summarize. 1. Pac should go back to a weight class that is more natural to his body size 2. Higher weight classes dos not equate to better quality fights nor fighters - This is newbie boxing myth should be eradicated from boxing! 3. Potentially more exciting fights for Pac can be found in the lower weight classes. 4. I'm sure that I'm not the only one of that is sick of the phantom Floyd fight-hype, so stop using Floyd as a measuring stick for success. The issue has nothing to do about 'hanging with Floyd'! In fact the point is to move away from this foolish pursuit of an opponent who is un-willing to comply, so move on to better possibilities.

12y ago

Grimgash

Your right, going back to 130-135 would be pushing it. But your reference to the fact that he was 151 is missing the point again. When your training to fight at 147, you should be hovering around 150 so that you are in striking distance to make the weight. After the weigh-in all bets are off, and you can drink and eat again, so fighters usually gain at least 10 more pounds at this weight division. Pacquiao gains only a few more pounds after the weigh-in because he has reached his maximum weight potential. He will always have this disadvantage at the welterweight division - so his only compensation is to be faster because his opponents will probably always be bigger and stronger. At light-welterweight he can probably re-hydrate to the same level as his opponent, so at this class he won't always be the smaller guy (in weight). Does this make sense, or do you need further illustrations? I know what you're saying and it makes sense but. Pac and Floyd are the exact same weight...which begs the question. Does Pac look like he can't hang on floyds level if he has to drop down? Also like I said TR has nothing at 140 worth mentioning Rios and Alvarado? They're worse than Khan and that's going to be a terrible joke of a fight if Floyd takes it. When it comes to Pac he's connected to Floyd at this point...and what either of them does reflects on the other...hence why dropping to 140 because it's easier or he belongs there.... isn't a good look.

12y ago

G_G_G

For the love of the game, I think that GoldenBoy and TopRank will find a way to bury the hatchet Wishful thinking, it will not happen. If the highest grossing fight in boxing history couldn't get them to work together, nothing will. Maybe when Oscar's son takes over GB and Arums grandkids take over TR they might but we're still a few decades away from that.

12y ago

balintawak

He was 151 in JMM 4...but I was replying to the guy saying he should be at 130-135...thats insanity. Your right, going back to 130-135 would be pushing it. But your reference to the fact that he was 151 is missing the point again. When your training to fight at 147, you should be hovering around 150 so that you are in striking distance to make the weight. After the weigh-in all bets are off, and you can drink and eat again, so fighters usually gain at least 10 more pounds at this weight division. Pacquiao gains only a few more pounds after the weigh-in because he has reached his maximum weight potential. He will always have this disadvantage at the welterweight division - so his only compensation is to be faster because his opponents will probably always be bigger and stronger. At light-welterweight he can probably re-hydrate to the same level as his opponent, so at this class he won't always be the smaller guy (in weight). Does this make sense, or do you need further illustrations?

12y ago

Grimgash

Your pulling information that is severely out-dated and twisting the point. Pac has filled out naturally since the days of 130, and I never said that he should go back down to 130! His natural fighting weight is probably around the light-welter division simply because he has trouble maintaining a weight of 150 lbs - and you should be able to maintain this weight during training. He has to eat late at night just to maintain that weight. He was 151 in JMM 4...but I was replying to the guy saying he should be at 130-135...thats insanity.

12y ago

balintawak

http://oi49.tinypic.com/2iiv1b8.jpg Yeah he really looks like he belongs at 130...just stop... I try to be fair to fighters but if you claim this nonsense like I've seen done repeatedly I'll shoot it down. He's a 147 lb fighter at worst 140...that said he weighs the exact same as Floyd ... he'd look dumb moving down two reasons... means he can't hang at 147 w his contemporary also TR has a crap 140 stable. Your pulling information that is severely out-dated and twisting the point. Pac has filled out naturally since the days of 130, and I never said that he should go back down to 130! His natural fighting weight is probably around the light-welter division simply because he has trouble maintaining a weight of 150 lbs - and you should be able to maintain this weight during training. He has to eat late at night just to maintain that weight.

12y ago

balintawak

glad that the author acknowledges Pac's natural weight, which is about 130-135. Though he's been facing heavier and taller people and still able to dominate them shows how good Pacquiao is. Now that he has gotten 8 division titles, going back to his stomping ground at 130-135 range, definitely he is a monster there. I enjoyed watching Pac and Marquez at the 135lb weight class. They were at their fastest then. But I don't think they can attain these weights anymore, so lightweight to super-lightweight would be optimal for both of these guys. Wouldn't you like to see Pac do some damage at lightweight again - and maybe do some house-cleaning at light-welter on his way down?

12y ago

Grimgash

glad that the author acknowledges Pac's natural weight, which is about 130-135. Though he's been facing heavier and taller people and still able to dominate them shows how good Pacquiao is. Now that he has gotten 8 division titles, going back to his stomping ground at 130-135 range, definitely he is a monster there. http://oi49.tinypic.com/2iiv1b8.jpg Yeah he really looks like he belongs at 130...just stop... I try to be fair to fighters but if you claim this nonsense like I've seen done repeatedly I'll shoot it down. He's a 147 lb fighter at worst 140...that said he weighs the exact same as Floyd ... he'd look dumb moving down two reasons... means he can't hang at 147 w his contemporary also TR has a crap 140 stable.

12y ago

balintawak

So what's your thoughts on Mayweather? His opponents (Canelo) outweigh him by 7-15 pounds (Canelo's unoffical weight was 165 too) on fight night too... Both May and Pac relies on their speed, although more so for Pac because May is more of a defensive counter puncher while Pac jumps in, out and laterally. My point is that Pac is reaching the maximum limits of his weight potential and his real sweet spot is at a lower weight. Perhaps the same can be said for May, which may explain why they are no longer getting their KOs. Father time will erode both of these fighters abilities, and especially speed. So Pac's main asset will become less and less of a factor.

12y ago

fabie

12y ago

Infamous

This is exactly my point. The weight limit for welterweight is 147, but on fight night, Pac was only able to add a few more pounds to reach 149, while Rios was able to add over 8% to his body weight after weigh-in to reach 159. Margarito was able to add another 12% weight and reached 165. Manny seems capable of only adding a maximum of 5%, which means that naturally bigger opponents will outweigh him by 7-15 pounds on fight night! So what's your thoughts on Mayweather? His opponents (Canelo) outweigh him by 7-15 pounds (Canelo's unoffical weight was 165 too) on fight night too...

12y ago

balintawak

Your just proving my point Manny weighed in at 149 on fight night for a lightweight fight. He weighed in at 151 vs JMM 4....he's not too small for the division...on fight night he weighs more than May did vs Canelo at a 152 catchweight.... So stop with the "He's too small". He's not very tall but hes a heavy structured guy. Appearance isn't everything...he's smaller than most of the 147 lbers but that's what makes him and may being there so impressive. He goes to 140 and he's a bigger guy beating on smaller guys...why? Rios and Broner got slammed for it Pac and Floyd would and should too. This is exactly my point. The weight limit for welterweight is 147, but on fight night, Pac was only able to add a few more pounds to reach 149, while Rios was able to add over 8% to his body weight after weigh-in to reach 159. Margarito was able to add another 12% weight and reached 165. Manny seems capable of only adding a maximum of 5%, which means that naturally bigger opponents will outweigh him by 7-15 pounds on fight night!

12y ago

Grimgash

Manny weighed in at 149 on fight night for a lightweight fight. He weighed in at 151 vs JMM 4....he's not too small for the division...on fight night he weighs more than May did vs Canelo at a 152 catchweight.... So stop with the "He's too small". He's not very tall but hes a heavy structured guy. Appearance isn't everything...he's smaller than most of the 147 lbers but that's what makes him and may being there so impressive. He goes to 140 and he's a bigger guy beating on smaller guys...why? Rios and Broner got slammed for it Pac and Floyd would and should too.

12y ago

jetgizo

Other than Ruslan, who won't fight Manny, TR doesn't have any LWWs PPV worthy.

12y ago

sugarsmosley

For the love of the game, I think that GoldenBoy and TopRank will find a way to bury the hatchet, because these guys are just recycling fights within their own camps. The fans are getting restless and clamoring for better match-ups, and their voices are getting louder. hopefully sooner than later, but I don't see it happening in 2014 sadly.If Pacquiao/Mayweather ever happens, it will be there last fight. they are going to milk it to the very last second i think. why have them fight now. they didn't fight in there primes, so may as well just pull a rjj/hopkins 2, and wait until the last second to cash out.

12y ago

balintawak

GoldenBoy & TopRank will make peace OP, who does TR have at 140 for manny to fight... Garcia,Khan,Matthysse, and Peterson are all goldenboy fighters. Alvarado just got KO'd by provo, and provo has already said he will never fight pacquiao because they are friends. For goodness sake man Alvarado was KO'd by rios. Nobody wants that fight. Face it, the only fight that CAN happen atm is Pac-Bradley 2. Marquez wants to keep the feeling, and Mayweather fights on showtime. I guarantee pacquiao/bradley 2 is next. For the love of the game, I think that GoldenBoy and TopRank will find a way to bury the hatchet, because these guys are just recycling fights within their own camps. The fans are getting restless and clamoring for better match-ups, and their voices are getting louder.

12y ago

sugarsmosley

OP, who does TR have at 140 for manny to fight... Garcia,Khan,Matthysse, and Peterson are all goldenboy fighters. Alvarado just got KO'd by provo, and provo has already said he will never fight pacquiao because they are friends. For goodness sake man Alvarado was KO'd by rios. Nobody wants that fight. Face it, the only fight that CAN happen atm is Pac-Bradley 2. Marquez wants to keep the feeling, and Mayweather fights on showtime. I guarantee pacquiao/bradley 2 is next.

12y ago