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The man's a pro and he got the job done through gritted teeth, so let's put the performance aside; I'm not trying to find an excuse for why the fight didn't deliver or why Manny didn't blow Shane out of the water with those torpedo-fists.
I'm interested in what was eating Manny on the night.
Before the opening bell, as the boxers came together at the referee's instructions, I noticed that Manny's face looked markedly different from usual, that it hadn't undergone the complete transformation it always does between the moment he steps through the ropes and the moment he stands opposite his opponent in center-ring for the first time. His expression was somewhat softened, in contrast to the tension which customarily takes over his facial muscles at this point of the proceedings. He appeared distracted, spacey-eyed and there seemed a darkness in his mood; not the darkness we're familar with, that of one about to wreak bodily destruction on an opponent, but of one with great personal weight on his mind.
I dismissed the observation as "maybe it's just me" and settled in to watch the fight.
Afterwards, with the 'W' in the bank, there seemed much agitation in Manny's demeanour during Jim Gray's interview. You could ascribe it to the overall failure of the bout to entertain and Manny's own sense of failure in not catching up to Shane and stopping him -- indeed, Jim Gray remarked that Manny seemed "disappointed" -- but I got a sense that there was some other factor in his disturbance.
What was up with Manny Pac?
Personal issues? Is there something dark happening in his world?
Or is he showing signs of starting to lose his love for the prizefighting game?
Or what?
Thoughts, please.
I'm interested in what was eating Manny on the night.
Before the opening bell, as the boxers came together at the referee's instructions, I noticed that Manny's face looked markedly different from usual, that it hadn't undergone the complete transformation it always does between the moment he steps through the ropes and the moment he stands opposite his opponent in center-ring for the first time. His expression was somewhat softened, in contrast to the tension which customarily takes over his facial muscles at this point of the proceedings. He appeared distracted, spacey-eyed and there seemed a darkness in his mood; not the darkness we're familar with, that of one about to wreak bodily destruction on an opponent, but of one with great personal weight on his mind.
I dismissed the observation as "maybe it's just me" and settled in to watch the fight.
Afterwards, with the 'W' in the bank, there seemed much agitation in Manny's demeanour during Jim Gray's interview. You could ascribe it to the overall failure of the bout to entertain and Manny's own sense of failure in not catching up to Shane and stopping him -- indeed, Jim Gray remarked that Manny seemed "disappointed" -- but I got a sense that there was some other factor in his disturbance.
What was up with Manny Pac?
Personal issues? Is there something dark happening in his world?
Or is he showing signs of starting to lose his love for the prizefighting game?
Or what?
Thoughts, please.
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