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Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao has rode the lighting to superstardom in his native country of the Philippines, and on the heels of capturing world titles in four weight divisions, has assumed the coveted #1 spot on the Pound-4-Pound list. But is what he’s accomplished enough to ensure him a spot in Canastota? Probably, but in the eyes of many hardcore boxing fans, the rumors of a potential Welterweight showdown with boxing superstar Oscar De La Hoya leaves the elite fighters at 135 pounds itching for their chance at the Filipino power puncher.
After an impressive 9th round TKO victory against David Diaz in June, Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KO’s) assumed the position of best boxer in the world, aided by the sudden retirement of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Capturing his first world title in the Lightweight division, expectations were high as to potential match-ups to unify what has become the most promising division in the sport. However, now that talks of a possible Pacquiao fight with Oscar De La Hoya in December seem to be coming closer to confirmation, the rest of the Lightweight division is left much like Pacquiao was during his childhood growing up in dire poverty in the Philippines: Hungry.
With Juan Manuel Marquez and Joan Guzman, both extremely talented boxers who were avoided by many stars at 130 pounds moving up to Lightweight, the division is, for lack of a better word, stacked. Alongside them are Michael Katsidis and Juan Diaz, who face off September 13th on HBO for the first time since each other's respective loss to Joel Casamayor and Nate Campbell. On the same date, Showtime will telecast a bout between Campbell and Guzman for the WBA, WBO and IBF Lightweight belts, and the following week HBO PPV will broadcast Casamayor vs. Marquez for the Ring Magazine’s version of the Lightweight title. But with all these amazing fights happening within a week of each other, there seems to be a very important part of the puzzle missing: Manny Pacquiao.
It is unlikely that anyone in his or her right mind would tell Pac-Man to pass up an opportunity for the biggest payday of his career, and probably the biggest he’ll ever have in facing De La Hoya. However, the Filipino sensation is already quite well off, having both music and movies in his native country to fall back on after his boxing career has ended. Not to mention that moving up ANOTHER two weight divisions from 135 to 147 to face De La Hoya is nothing short of suicide for the naturally smaller Pacquiao, who seems to stand no chance against the Golden Boy. But should he go through with the fight, where does it leave him in the Lightweight picture? One can only guess that it means he’ll be carelessly tossed aside while the rest of the division moves closer to unification.
A word of advice, Pac-Man: With one “golden” touch, all of your boxing lives will be lost. This isn’t a game, and ghosts do not occupy Lightweight. Let’s see what you’re really made of.
After an impressive 9th round TKO victory against David Diaz in June, Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KO’s) assumed the position of best boxer in the world, aided by the sudden retirement of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Capturing his first world title in the Lightweight division, expectations were high as to potential match-ups to unify what has become the most promising division in the sport. However, now that talks of a possible Pacquiao fight with Oscar De La Hoya in December seem to be coming closer to confirmation, the rest of the Lightweight division is left much like Pacquiao was during his childhood growing up in dire poverty in the Philippines: Hungry.
With Juan Manuel Marquez and Joan Guzman, both extremely talented boxers who were avoided by many stars at 130 pounds moving up to Lightweight, the division is, for lack of a better word, stacked. Alongside them are Michael Katsidis and Juan Diaz, who face off September 13th on HBO for the first time since each other's respective loss to Joel Casamayor and Nate Campbell. On the same date, Showtime will telecast a bout between Campbell and Guzman for the WBA, WBO and IBF Lightweight belts, and the following week HBO PPV will broadcast Casamayor vs. Marquez for the Ring Magazine’s version of the Lightweight title. But with all these amazing fights happening within a week of each other, there seems to be a very important part of the puzzle missing: Manny Pacquiao.
It is unlikely that anyone in his or her right mind would tell Pac-Man to pass up an opportunity for the biggest payday of his career, and probably the biggest he’ll ever have in facing De La Hoya. However, the Filipino sensation is already quite well off, having both music and movies in his native country to fall back on after his boxing career has ended. Not to mention that moving up ANOTHER two weight divisions from 135 to 147 to face De La Hoya is nothing short of suicide for the naturally smaller Pacquiao, who seems to stand no chance against the Golden Boy. But should he go through with the fight, where does it leave him in the Lightweight picture? One can only guess that it means he’ll be carelessly tossed aside while the rest of the division moves closer to unification.
A word of advice, Pac-Man: With one “golden” touch, all of your boxing lives will be lost. This isn’t a game, and ghosts do not occupy Lightweight. Let’s see what you’re really made of.
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