Sunday, March 16, 2008 Quijano: Don't overcorrect it Manny By Jingo Quijano Last Round
IT’S quite a pity Manny Pacquiao doesn’t fight more often. We are a much better country and a more behaved race everytime this punching dynamo steps into the ring.
I’ve heard stories of strangers hugging each other and exchanging high fives at SM cinema malls. Or estranged couples spending time together as a family with their kids even for a few hours just to watch the fight.
Even Malacañang Palace doesn’t want to be left out as it reportedly favored a one-day truce with its political rivals. Ditto with rebels from both sides of the political spectrum, southpaws and ultra-orthodox.
But you know what’s even more interesting? It’s how we can be so politically correct about what we demand from our modern-day heroes. His movies are box-office flops and we weren’t ready for him to be a gentleman of the House either.
But put him in the ring, and observe how he brings peace and tranquility to our troubled nation. Even for a few hours.
It will be a breeze to navigate the streets today around 9 a.m. I’ll probably be at my bro Ramsey’s place grilling some chops, wolfing some fresh raw seafood downed by several cold last rounds.
I hope this primer whets your appetite for this fistic extravaganza.
SPEED. Juan Manuel Marquez was faster than Rocky Juarez and he beat him handily. He was probably a tad faster than ring-worn Barrera. But he will find out once again why Manny is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters today.
He’s not technically sound, but when you’re as fast as he is, you don’t really need to be. ADVANTAGE: Pacquiao
POWER. Juan Manuel Marquez isn’t chinny. Niether were Erik Morales and Barrera, but Manny knocked them all down, along with a host of other dilettantes.
Marquez, too, has decent power in both hands. Thirty-five stoppage wins in 48 fights is a pretty good accomplishment. But Manny’s power is of the one-punch knockout variety and can be quite debilitating. ADVANTAGE: Pacquiao
CORNER. Nacho Beristain is a legend in Mexican boxing having reportedly mentored 16 world champions.
Freddie Roach honed Manny into the lethal fighting machine that he is today. Before, Manny was a good fighter, but Roach made him a great one. No small wonder he is one of the most sought-after trainers in the business today. ADVANTAGE: EVEN
BOXING SKILLS. No doubt, Manny has improved his repertoire since the last time they met. But Juan Manuel Marquez is still the more well-rounded fighter. He mixes his combinations nicely with a potent mix of leads and counters. ADVANTAGE: Marquez
INTANGIBLES. Marquez is the alphabet champion, but he is the hungrier fighter, seeking redemption. He also hasn’t earned the huge purses that Manny has been enjoying for some time now. After the fall of Mexican legends Barrera and Morales, he is aching to step up and be recognized as his country’s premiere fighter.
Manny has reportedly been very focused and training maniacally for this fight. But I can’t say the same for his previous fights. That might mean that the hunger and desire are slowly waning and this is dangerous for a fighter who is still at the peak of his fighting prowess.
Plus, brother Bobby Pacquiao’s first-round knockout loss a few days ago was quite unsettling. ADVANTAGE: Marquez
STRATEGIES. Marquez definitely has his work cut out for him. The fact that he will be wary of Manny’s power is a huge psychological burden for him to bear. He should stick to what worked for him in the first fight. Box and counter. Time Manny’s rushes and play decent defense. His best chance is to tire out Manny which will open up scoring opportunities for him.
Manny’s job is infinitely easier than Marquez’s. The latter made proper adjustments in the second half of the fight, and so it will be Manny’s turn this time. But I caution him against the dangers of over-correction. Keep it simple. A feint here, a fake there. A well-timed combo. A half-step backward before unleashing a wildcat strike. Manny should also incorporate the uppercut into his combinations more often.
I’m a bit worried about Manny’s plan to come in heavier at around 144 pounds. Speed is power. He doesn’t have to be heavier. He just needs to be faster.
LAST ROUND. It’s on a loyal friend and confidante, Edge Genosa who turns a year older this week. Happy birthday bro and Cheers! (jingo_quijano@yahoo.com)
