Gairy St. Claire: Pacquiao's shortcut to a belt?

[grayfist]

Gairy St. Claire, a fighter from Guyana now based in Australia, recently won the IBF and IBO versions of the Jr. Lightweight title in an upset over Cassius Baloyi.

After the draw with JMM some two years ago, St. Claire was seriously considered to fight Pacquiao in Manila but was eventually replaced by Fahsan 3K Battery whom Pacquiao trounced in 4 in what was dubbed as an "IBF Featherweight Eliminator to determine who should be ranked #2."

Though a bit short at 5'4, St. Claire has had several Lightweight and Jr. Welterweight fights: against Leonard Dorin at 135 lbs. (L, UD10) and Vivian Harris at 139 lbs (L, UD10) among them. He also went the full route but lost by 10 round UD to Diego Corrales (Jr. Lightweight.)

He holds a record of 38 W and 3 Losses, his only losses being those mentioned above.

He has never won against a marque fighter and is unknown in the US and most parts of the world. That could make it difficult to expect that a meeting with Pacquiao would be grabbed by anyone for PPV. But the guy has a title, doesn't he? Two titles (Edit: if one counts IBO).

What do you think? If he wins against Erik, should Manny take the route through St. Claire and get himself a belt(s), then, seek unification with Barrera/ Juarez and Barrios/Guzman? That road could offer more money.

[Katz]

Gairy St. Claire, a fighter from Guyana now based in Australia, recently won the IBF and IBO versions of the Jr. Lightweight title in an upset over Cassius Baloyi.

After the draw with JMM some two years ago, St. Claire was seriously considered to fight Pacquiao in Manila but was eventually replaced by Fahsan 3K Battery whom Pacquiao trounced in 4 in what was dubbed as an "IBF Featherweight Eliminator to determine who should be ranked #2."

Though a bit short at 5'4, St. Claire has had several Lightweight and Jr. Welterweight fights: against Leonard Dorin at 135 lbs. (L, UD10) and Vivian Harris at 139 lbs (L, UD10) among them. He also went the full route but lost by 10 round UD to Diego Corrales (Jr. Lightweight.)

He holds a record of 38 W and 3 Losses, his only losses being those mentioned above.

He has never won against a marque fighter and is unknown in the US and most parts of the world. That could make it difficult to expect that a meeting with Pacquiao would be grabbed by anyone for PPV. But the guy has a title, doesn't he? Two titles (Edit: if one counts IBO).

What do you think? If he wins against Erik, should Manny take the route through St. Claire and get himself a belt(s), then, seek unification with Barrera/ Juarez and Barrios/Guzman? That road could offer more money.

I dont think this fight would happen.
If Pac wins against Erik Morales. The he will fight straight to MAB on 2007 maybe march or april to end all of MAB's excuses.

after MAB maybe Pac will figth JMM only if JMM wins a credible opponent like Guzman, Barrios or Valero.

if not he will move to 135 and fight Diaz or Chavez before facing Corrales.

[grayfist]

I dont think this fight would happen.
If Pac wins against Erik Morales. The he will fight straight to MAB on 2007 maybe march or april to end all of MAB's excuses.

after MAB maybe Pac will figth JMM only if JMM wins a credible opponent like Guzman, Barrios or Valero.

if not he will move to 135 and fight Diaz or Chavez before facing Corrales.

While writing the thread starter, I was making side glances at the news that the Philippines' TV network, ABS, was considering putting up Barrera-Pac in the Philippines. That requires a lot of CapEx.

With the numbers racked up in terms of ratings (close to 70, I was told) by the Larios fight, a meeting with St. Claire could mean even more if done in the Philippines as Pacquiao will then be fighting for a world title or titles. And, it shan't take as much money as one that would have a Barrera in it. Cost-Benefit ratio for ABS will be close to compelling.

The same goes for Pacquiao:

If Manny gets past Morales, then rips the belts off of St. Claire, he'll have a lot more to bring to the table against Barrera/Juarez and Barrios/Guzman. If he wins all 4, he shall have punched his tickets to boxing immortality even more--and make loads of more dollars while doing it.

Three fights after Morales and he shall have unified, for all intents and purposes, the Jr.Lightweight division. That shall even be better than a win over Marquez. It shall be a legacy that shall resonate through the coming years.

[flipside]

While writing the thread starter, I was making side glances at the news that the Philippines' TV network, ABS, was considering putting up Barrera-Pac in the Philippines. That requires a lot of CapEx.

With the numbers racked up in terms of ratings (close to 70, I was told) by the Larios fight, a meeting with St. Claire could mean even more if done in the Philippines as Pacquiao will then be fighting for a world title or titles. And, it shan't take as much money as one that would have a Barrera in it. Cost-Benefit ratio for ABS will be close to compelling.

The same goes for Pacquiao:

If Manny gets past Morales, then rips the belts off of St. Claire, he'll have a lot more to bring to the table against Barrera/Juarez and Barrios/Guzman. If he wins all 4, he shall have punched his tickets to boxing immortality even more--and make loads of more dollars while doing it.

Three fights after Morales and he shall have unified, for all intents and purposes, the Jr.Lightweight division. That shall even be better than a win over Marquez. It shall be a legacy that shall resonate through the coming years.

i would love to see manny be the undisputed champion of the jr. lightweight division.

[grayfist]

i would love to see manny be the undisputed champion of the jr. lightweight division.

Hi there flip!

To really do that, however, the recently crowned WBA king needs to have his say heard; that's, yes, Valero.

So, for Manny to be truly undisputed, he'll have to consider (and, of course, win) four fights more after Morales; then, retire. Late 2008 can be a good year for that.

[ELPacman]

Forget all this belt talk. Manny has been fighting without belts for awhile and doesn't even care. He knows he can make a boat load of money with or without belts, fighting the fans fights. He just wants the fights that will give him the most money before retirement and it makes sense. Not to mention he's earned it. Let him choose his opponents that'll give him the most money before retirement and he can be on his merry way. Sure a lot of fans lose out on it, though you gotta look at it from a logical standpoint sometimes. What makes sense is what will most likely play through.

[flipside]

Forget all this belt talk. Manny has been fighting without belts for awhile and doesn't even care. He knows he can make a boat load of money with or without belts, fighting the fans fights. He just wants the fights that will give him the most money before retirement and it makes sense. Not to mention he's earned it. Let him choose his opponents that'll give him the most money before retirement and he can be on his merry way. Sure a lot of fans lose out on it, though you gotta look at it from a logical standpoint sometimes. What makes sense is what will most likely play through.

the belts will cement his place in history IMO

[flipside]

Hi there flip!

To really do that, however, the recently crowned WBA king needs to have his say heard; that's, yes, Valero.

So, for Manny to be truly undisputed, he'll have to consider (and, of course, win) four fights more after Morales; then, retire. Late 2008 can be a good year for that.

i think with valero's style pac can beat him

[SuckaPunch]

I've seen a few Gary St Clair fights and his style is all wrong for Manny Pacquiao. If you remember back in 2004, Pac was supposed to fight St Clair as a tune-up for the Marquez rematch, but opted for Fahsan 3K Battery instead. St Clair/Pac is like a replay of Raheem/Morales.

[ELPacman]

i think with valero's style pac can beat him

Or vice versa. I actually think Valero has the style to beat Manny. Manny's style beats more the patient counter punchers or small bursts of energy type guys. Thus Morales and Barrera were ideal candidates to win against. Marquez gave Manny troubles and even though I think Manny has improved greatly and can beat Marquez nowadays, he would give Manny a lot of trouble. Though Manny's style can be beat when he's up against it. Valero is nonstop bomber and it'll come down to if Manny can take his punch. Valero went down though got back up, and I see him riding too much momentum to get knocked out by Manny. Muchless, Manny hasn't KOed anyone truely in along time. I don't see him doing it now either. Edwin has a good shot at beating Manny by riding his momentum.