Friday, September 02, 2005
Website says it's Pacman by TKO
By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
FILIPINO boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao will beat Mexican Hector Velazquez via a sixth-round technical knockout or TKO in their September 10 bout at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
This was the bold prediction made by the Boxing Time, a group of boxing writer-experts in an analysis posted on their website BoxingTimes.com Thursday.
Boxing Times said Pacquiao's speed and power will be the major factor in the match and that Velazquez, despite his durability, will succumb in the end.
"This fight should be interesting as long as it lasts. We look for Velazquez to be forced to trade while Pacquiao tries to cut off the ring and deliver heavy artillery," Boxing Times said.
"Don't be surprised to see low blows and one or both guys cut from accidental headbutts. Nevertheless, Pacquiao's speed and power will eventually catch up with Velazquez. We expect the Filipino star to end matters via a TKO by the sixth round," it added.
While it admitted that Velazquez is going to be tough, Boxing Time noted the Mexican lacks the skill to match up with Pacquiao.
"Velazqauez lacks the boxing skill to stick and move with a mauler like Pacquiao," is said.
Pacquiao and Velazquez square off on Sept. 10 in an event, which also features Erik Morales, who will be fighting Olympian Zahir Raheem in another explosive super featherweight encounter.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, opened for the first time his Wild Card gym Wednesday.
Only members of the press, however, were allowed inside to get a glimpse of how his fighter is doing leading to the big fight.
Roach said the Velazquez fight is a tough one, and he expects Pacquiao to figtht like what he did to Marco Antonio Barrera.
Pacquiao humiliated the great Barrera via an 11th-round TKO back in 2003, a victory that stunned the boxing world and propelled the Filipino pug to prominence.
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