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Pacquiao’s improved skills shocked boxing experts
Pacquiao’s improved skills shocked boxing experts
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 05/05/2009 10:38 PM
Boxing analysts were not only surprised over Manny Pacquiao’s stunning knock out of Ricky Hatton, they didn’t also expect the Filipino’s improved boxing skills in so short span of time.
American sportscaster Al Berstein said Pacquiao has added various elements his fighting skills, leaving the stumped British champ “defenseless”.
“Manny Pacquiao's reinvented himself as a fighter in the last four fights, adding elements he did not have before like the right hook and combination punching, and because of all of that, I think that was just too much for Hatton,” he said.
Bernstein said that Hatton was also “shocked” with Pacquiao’s blinding speed and stronger punching power.
“He was certainly more powerful, and he was a puncher tonight, he did throw a few combinations, he wasn't so much a boxer puncher but he was a power puncher. That was the surprise of his, he was able to be the power puncher and beat Ricky Hatton so early,” added Bernstein.
He said Pacquiao, who took away Hatton’s International Boxing Organization (IBO) and Ring Magazine junior welterweight titles in two short rounds, has combined speed and power like no other fighter has ever had.
“I did not expect it to be that fast, I have so much respect for Manny Pacquiao as a fighter but I did not anticipate that he would get to knock Ricky Hatton that very quickly. Maybe by the middle rounds, or Pacquiao winning by decision,” said Bernstein.
For his part, Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports said he was “phenomenally surprised” with the way Pacquiao disposed Hatton in such quick fashion.
“I thought he might be able to stop him in the fight by beating on him for a number of rounds and wear him down, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the fight would go that way,” he said.
He said Pacquiao’s right hook has become a very potent weapon, making the Filipino a more complete fighter.
The Yahoo sports columnist recounted, “Four years ago, against Erik Morales, he didn't have that [right hook]. He was a one-handed fighter. It was a phenomenal performance.”
Four fights ago, Pacquiao was regarded as an “incomplete” boxer and was over-reliant with his strong left hand.
Those fights included his successful matches with now lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, former lightweight champion David Diaz, and boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya.
Berstein and Iole believe that a lot more is in store for Manny, including the buzzed about Mayweather-Pacquiao match up that is not even in the planning stage.
“I think it’s huge for him, he's clearly the best fighter in the world, I say that even knowing Floyd Mayweather returning today,” said Iole.
“I would love to see a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, I think that would just be an unbelievable fight, one of the biggest events in many, many years in boxing. We have not seen that for a while, and that might be some contentious negotiations. Love to see that fight,” he remarked.
“But I'd also love to see Miguel Cotto, I think those would be huge fights for Manny. You know right now we'd be considering him as one of the top 100 pound-for-pound of all time. That is a huge honor,” he noted.
Bernstein shared his thoughts on a possible Pacquiao-Cotto bout. “One that is most dangerous for Pacquiao is the one against Miguel Cotto, because their styles just clash.”
He also said that “the Mayweather-Marquez is a terrific fight," adding that "it will bring great riches, because if Marquez beats Mayweather, it would put him higher on the map.” Report from TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News
as of 05/05/2009 10:38 PM
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 05/05/2009 10:38 PM
Boxing analysts were not only surprised over Manny Pacquiao’s stunning knock out of Ricky Hatton, they didn’t also expect the Filipino’s improved boxing skills in so short span of time.
American sportscaster Al Berstein said Pacquiao has added various elements his fighting skills, leaving the stumped British champ “defenseless”.
“Manny Pacquiao's reinvented himself as a fighter in the last four fights, adding elements he did not have before like the right hook and combination punching, and because of all of that, I think that was just too much for Hatton,” he said.
Bernstein said that Hatton was also “shocked” with Pacquiao’s blinding speed and stronger punching power.
“He was certainly more powerful, and he was a puncher tonight, he did throw a few combinations, he wasn't so much a boxer puncher but he was a power puncher. That was the surprise of his, he was able to be the power puncher and beat Ricky Hatton so early,” added Bernstein.
He said Pacquiao, who took away Hatton’s International Boxing Organization (IBO) and Ring Magazine junior welterweight titles in two short rounds, has combined speed and power like no other fighter has ever had.
“I did not expect it to be that fast, I have so much respect for Manny Pacquiao as a fighter but I did not anticipate that he would get to knock Ricky Hatton that very quickly. Maybe by the middle rounds, or Pacquiao winning by decision,” said Bernstein.
For his part, Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports said he was “phenomenally surprised” with the way Pacquiao disposed Hatton in such quick fashion.
“I thought he might be able to stop him in the fight by beating on him for a number of rounds and wear him down, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the fight would go that way,” he said.
He said Pacquiao’s right hook has become a very potent weapon, making the Filipino a more complete fighter.
The Yahoo sports columnist recounted, “Four years ago, against Erik Morales, he didn't have that [right hook]. He was a one-handed fighter. It was a phenomenal performance.”
Four fights ago, Pacquiao was regarded as an “incomplete” boxer and was over-reliant with his strong left hand.
Those fights included his successful matches with now lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, former lightweight champion David Diaz, and boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya.
Berstein and Iole believe that a lot more is in store for Manny, including the buzzed about Mayweather-Pacquiao match up that is not even in the planning stage.
“I think it’s huge for him, he's clearly the best fighter in the world, I say that even knowing Floyd Mayweather returning today,” said Iole.
“I would love to see a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, I think that would just be an unbelievable fight, one of the biggest events in many, many years in boxing. We have not seen that for a while, and that might be some contentious negotiations. Love to see that fight,” he remarked.
“But I'd also love to see Miguel Cotto, I think those would be huge fights for Manny. You know right now we'd be considering him as one of the top 100 pound-for-pound of all time. That is a huge honor,” he noted.
Bernstein shared his thoughts on a possible Pacquiao-Cotto bout. “One that is most dangerous for Pacquiao is the one against Miguel Cotto, because their styles just clash.”
He also said that “the Mayweather-Marquez is a terrific fight," adding that "it will bring great riches, because if Marquez beats Mayweather, it would put him higher on the map.” Report from TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News
as of 05/05/2009 10:38 PM
what would PAC need to do to impress such a hater? even if he crucified himself, i guess hater will always have negative things to say.. 
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