Pacquiao-Marquez-Diaz:A Boxing Triangle

Boxing promoters and matchmakers are speculating who among the top three ring gladiators in the super featherweight to lightweight divisions has the ultimate class, superiority and dominance in the boxing ring.

Yes, I’m talking about Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz. These are the three top-rated boxers in the super featherweight and lightweight divisions today.

Looking back at the recently concluded rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, anyone could easily say that the win could go either way without much doubt from the spectators. Manny did not really win that convincingly as he looked outpunched by Marquez whose boxing style really stood out during the fight. Had Marquez not been overly cautious of the tremendous power that Pacquiao could unleash anytime to put him out, Marquez could have pummeled Pacquiao by standing on his ground and fighting him toe to toe.

Marquez is a very scientific counter-puncher with his hands, body and footwork well coordinated, but he just cannot simply put away Pacquiao because Pacquiao is not a standing target; Pacquiao moves and he has great hand speed and power. It even caught Marquez down in the third round.

Marquez is stressing in the sidelines that he won the fight and he wants to get a third fight to prove his point. If this happens, I think Marquez has the chance; that is if Pacquiao will not put him out to sleep in the first three rounds. And Manny can do this if he will make himself the aggressor right after the bell rings from the first round onwards. Marquez cannot contain Pacquiao’s power.

Another fight that the promoters are discussing is the match between Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz, the brawling WBC lightweight champion of the world at present.

David Diaz is a powerful boxer with a ring record of 34-1-1 and 17 wins by KO. He also won over Eric Morales after 12 rounds.

Diaz moves like a manta ray, always moving forward with no lateral and back pedaling movements. His power emanates from his upper body. This makes him top-heavy, but once he can lean on you in a fight, he is very dangerous.

On the other hand, Pacquiao has the moves, the hand speed and the power to evade and to counter the in-fighting style of Diaz. In order for Manny to win, his firepower should come from the distance, with right jobs to set up the unpredictable left hook, slowly closing in once Diaz falls into the trap, then clinch when Diaz comes close. This technique is proven effective many times by Ali and Hollyfield in defeating slugging knock-out artists like Goerge Foreman and Mike Tyson.

Manny should apply and do this, otherwise he will have no place else to go but hit the canvass…

By the way, I think Marquez should climb to the lightweight ladder (135 lbs.) so that he can be with Pacquiao and Diaz . This will make their rivalry more exciting; and excitement in the boxing world means more promotions and therefore, more money for them…

Beyond Boxing...The Potentials of Manny Pacquiao

October 16, 2007 – Who would have thought that the tacit little bread peddler from General Santos City would become the greatest living Filipino today? Who could have imagined that this boy’s simple dream to be of help to his mother’s struggles for the basic necessities of life would bring him to the pedestal of fame, fortune and honor that he has gained?

Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is the epitome of a man with a destiny. Yes, for it is destiny that gave him the sheer determination to overcome all the obstacles that could have prevented him from getting to where he is today.

Dire poverty is not an easy aspect to set aside from one’s mission to succeed, or much less survive. This is the very reason why he had to vend the bread of some baker in exchange for a small fraction of the proceeds. Surely enough, his day’s earnings would barely suffice for the family’s basic needs, but as a mother, who wouldn’t be happy to have a son like that?

Financial deprivation is the biggest factor why education is so elusive to the Filipinos. Had it not been for poverty, Manny would have been some place else away from boxing, he might have become a school teacher or a marine engineer.

Although lacking in educational advancement, Manny knew his strengths and potentials. He was smart to have identified at an early stage, the field that he knew he would excel in, but then, nobody knew that it would make him as great as he is today.

Manny’s saga was not an easy task, a man with a lesser degree of stoic determination and will could have easily surrendered. Who else could put together the job of a construction worker and a boxer as one? It is a given fact that building construction is an eight-hour back-breaking job. It is also quite baffling how Manny was able to practice and eventually win fights against well-rested and well fed opponents. It truly takes more than a man to perform this feat.

I have followed Manny’s silent footsteps from his “blow by blow” days up to this very time because I was so impressed by his innate abilities and his humble attitude. I had no idea then how humble his beginnings were although I know for one that most if not all boxers come from poor families.

Manny Pacquiao had reaped big honors from big victories, yet he remained honorable just by being himself despite the adulations not only from the Filipinos but also by the international communities. He has raised the Filipino boxers’ status to a higher level in Philippine society. I admire Manny for dedicating his honors to the Filipino people. I commend him for promoting harmony and unity among us. I acclaim him for his best portrayal of the true Filipino for the world to know and see.

Beyond boxing, Manny Pacquiao has a great future ahead.

Manny is still at a young age of 28. He can still earn more victories in boxing. If he can make himself different from all the other boxers who refuse to compromise their glory with age, then can I say that he is really the smartest of them.

Manny is going back to school we know. This is the very moment of youth that he wants to recapture, enjoying school and getting education. This is an indication of Manny’s vision that I can see vaguely from afar. After about four more years, Manny should retire from boxing, after all, he already has more than what he can ask for in his career: money, fame, an acting and singing career, connections in high places, etc. I would even doubt if these ever occurred to him in his wildest dreams years back.

In about six to eight years from now, Manny should already have a college diploma in either Business Management, Economics or Public Administration. Manny will then be fluently conversational in government and business affairs aspects. We know that he has a lot businesses. We also know that he is surrounded by smart people who treat him as their equal. There is no reason why Manny won’t be able to think and to act like them. I just hope Manny won’t copy their attitudes. It’s a shame but I think Manny has a more polished attitude than any of these “well-bred” university graduates surrounding him. Being down to earth is Manny’s greatest asset. This makes him the darling of all Filipinos.

Manny’s entry to the political arena in 2007 was a mistake, a pre-mature miscalculated move that gave him nothing more than an expensive lesson learned; his people are not yet ready to surrender him, their hero, to the political arena where everyone is smeared with the slime of corruption no matter how true one is with his intentions.

Manny needs to give his people one or two more breaks as the Filipinos’ boxing pride before he retires. He also needs to equip himself well with education before he crosses over to the dog-eat-dog world of politics should he decide to re-join, which I think he would.

Should Manny join politics after achieving sufficient education, I would dare say that his political future lies not in his hometown because he does not belong to the local scale. His popularity crosses from North to South of the Philippine territory. He should look at this as an opportunity for a higher post. He should give up his local ambition in the favor and support for his local town folk.

Manny Pacquiao is a good man from humble beginnings and sincere intentions. He has the basic qualities sought for by the Filipino people in a man vying for an elected public office. Manny has popularity and the right connections in the government and private sectors. He is young and courageous. The masses have seen Manny as one of them.

Having these, give Manny the right educational qualification and in less than fifteen years from now, he will become Vice-President of the country he said he loved so well.

Remember how Vice-President de Castro raised his hand in Mandalabay, Las Vegas? That could well be an omen…

Heavyweight Boxing Review-Evander Holyfield's Attempt for a Fifth Heavyweight Crown

October 14, 2007 – Evander Holyfield is the only heavyweight boxer who won the world heavyweight boxing crown four times. But his ring career was suspended by reason of poor performance by the New York Athletic Commission in 2004 after four consecutive losses in which he hardly showed resistance to prove his championship caliber. His suspension by the New York Athletic Commission means that Holyfield could not fight in all fifty states in the United States.

After passing the required medical tests, the legendary Evander Holyfield finally got a chance to fight WBO’s reigning heavyweight king Sultan Ibragimov. The bout is held in Khodynka Arena, Moscow, Russia, October 12, 2007, and it’s just concluded.

Despite his age and previous record of poor performance, Holyfield fought a closely contested fight. Ibragimov on the other hand, at 32 years old is obviously the more agile with good lateral movements and great hand speed. Ibragimov could have hit Holyfield more had he not opted for a wider distance between him and his opponent as his strategy not to get hit. His game plan was focused on wearing the older Holyfield out and defeating him on points rather than knocking the latter out, maybe he knows that he doesn’t have a very overwhelming power of a punch that could put Holyfield to rest. He also knew that Holyfield, despite his age, still has that knock out punch that got him at times. Had it not been for his durability and superb condition, Ibragimov could have been knocked out by the strong right straights and hooks unleashed by Holyfield in the fourth, eighth and eleventh rounds. Although more superior in punching speed, Ibragimov was still correct in maintaining the distance as a sort of avoidance from a possible lucky punch from Holyfield. In that case, Holyfield must have been the one to take the initiative of closing in on Ibragimov in order to increase his winning chances.

The fight was concluded by a 12-round unanimous decision in favor of Sultan Ibragimov.

Holyfield will turn 45 years old in 2 weeks. After all that he has earned in his entire career, it’s time for him to hang up his gloves for good. Boxing, like most sports, is a game of youth, agility, speed and strength. Holyfield had his share of glory in his younger days that an aging man could not re-prove.

Ibragimov on the other hand, is still the reigning WBO heavyweight king. A possible unifying match between him and the WBC and IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko is coming. But does he (Ibragimov) have the attributes that will make him worth the fighter to take on Klitschko? Klitschko is a giant, flat-footed, awkward heavyweight with long arms and tremendous hand speed that could send Ibragimov to sleep within the first 10 minutes of their fight.
Due to a virtual drought of heavyweight talents at present, Klitschko is undoubtedly the best heavyweight boxer today.

The legendary Evander Holyfield? He had his time, he has the money, his name is on the records. What more can he want? Let him have his rest.

Gerry Penalosa vs Daniel Ponce de Leon Rematch - Fight Analysis

October 12, 2007
Words have spread that negotiations are being made for a boxing rematch between WBO bantamweight ace Gerry Penalosa of the Philippines and WBO super bantamweight reigning champion Daniel Ponce de Leon of Mexico who is famous for his neck-slashing hand gesture upon his introduction prior to his fight.

The fight is scheduled on December 8, 2007 at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, as an undercard in the Mayweather vs Hatton superbout.

The two pugilists have met in the ring sometime in March this year where de Leon successfully defended his WBO super bantamweight crown against Penalosa by winning on points. On August 2007, de Leon again defended his title with a stunning first round knock-out victory against another hard-hitting Filipino boxing sensation Rey “boom boom” Bautista.

By the looks of it, it could be simply put that de Leon is somebody to be reckoned with in his weight class. Although slow in footwork, de Leon has the strength, raw power and aggressiveness that could put anyone to dreamland once one of those wild punches finds its mark. It takes agility, durability, good hand speed and stamina in order to put de Leon away.

Considering these facts, it is only imperative for Penalosa to formulate his strategies, and practice and master these from now on. Looking back on their previous fight, Penalosa was lacking in aggressiveness. Although it was obvious that Penalosa had the edge in style, it was not just enough to subdue de Leon who sensed that Penalosa’s punches were too “soft”, tentative and lacking in numbers. By covering himself and putting his gloves up, de Leon knew that with this he is safe and when his turn comes, he can pummel Penalosa with harder punches that could put the latter down on the canvass.

Being the winner of their previous fight, de Leon has a tendency to stay with the style that he used. Penalosa will only have a slim winning chance if he will not opt for a better fight plan that involves more lateral movement, more jabs, more follow up punches for the ones that landed and being aggressive in the last seconds of each round and during the first few seconds of the succeeding rounds, and opting for clinches when de Leon comes back. In short, the “hit and run” technique is the effective way that will defeat the slugger in Daniel Ponce de Leon.

We know that Penalosa is already 36 years old. Does he have the agility of youth to put de Leon away? We’ll see …

PACQUIAO VS BARRERRA II - A Review

October 7, 2007 (Pacific Standard Time)
The much-awaited rematch between world featherweight icons Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Marco Antonio “the baby-faced assassin” Barrera in Mandala Bay, Las Vegas, USA has just been concluded, and as has been anticipated, the Pacman emerged to win after 12 rounds of action.

During the early pre-fight surveys, the Pacman was the undisputed favorite because of his youth, power, speed and courage to take on anyone in the boxing ring. The Pacman had literally wiped out his last 3 opponents before this fight, namely Larius Marquez and Solis, all Mexicans.

Barrera on the other hand, trained harder in order to redeem his 11th round TKO loss to the Pacman some months back. This and the loss of the other Mexicans in the hands of the Pacman is the fuel that fires him up to aspire vengeance against the Filipino boxing icon.

Many boxing analysts predicted a Pacquiao victory. A majority even predicted that the match would end within the distance of 6 rounds.

But Barrera could not be taken lightly as this fight will be his gateway to the fold of retirement. He must leave some kind of signature as this will be his last fight.

Come fight night, both boxers looked prepared and in good condition. The Pacman looked at par with Barrera in size unlike the previous fight where Barrera was a bit bigger than him.

Both fighters danced in the ring round after round with a few hits here and there as Pacquiao closed in on Barrera in attempt to corner the latter. But Barrera, being the intelligent veteran fighter that he is, is not easy to give Pacquiao what he wanted, he knew that Pacquiao could take him out of the ring in just one punch. Giving Pacquiao the “catch me if you can”fighting style in order not to get entangled with the thundering blows of the Pacman Barrera kept on back-pedaling all throughout the fight, leaving a few unimpressive counterpunches every now and then which didn’t even bother the Pacman. Despite being the defending champion , Pacquiao was the aggressor in the entirety of the fight.

Barrera almost went down in the 11th round when Pacquiao caught him with a vicious left hook.

Barrera is a good boxer and counter puncher with tremendous hand speed. He executes his jabs and hooks perfectly. But these are not enough to counter the power that Pacquiao is gifted with. Barrera is also lacking in lateral footwork that could have disrupted Pacquiao’s strategy. Pacquiao literally dominated 10 of the 12 rounds they had in the ring. Only rounds 2 and 3 belonged to Barrera.

The fight was good in the sense that no fighter was hurt in the course of the duel, but looking at the audience, they were not as fulfilled, not as thrilled and not as excited as the first encounter because the bout looked more of a dance showdown than a boxing competition. But in fairness, we can’t blame the fighters for being cautious, after all, it’s their lives which are put at stake.

Pacquiao undoubtedly won the fight by a sweep. Congratulations to all Filipinos. They are all relatives of the Pacman now …

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SIMPLE WAYS TO ADD EXERCISE TO YOUR DAY

Simple is beautiful and inexpensive, and exercising that dormant body in simple ways is no exception.

In today’s busy world where the urgency, automation, and fast-paced living are the prime suspects for our implied neglect to exercise our parched bodies, incorporating simple exercise ways to our daily routines are very useful in burning those extra calories for free.

Here are some suggestions which could help us get the exercise that our bodies need:

• Make it a wake-up routine to clean your room and put everything in place. This will help you organize your mind and exert some muscles.

• Stretch. Awaken those nerves by stretching your body and limbs for a few minutes. Jog in place if you still have the time.

• Don’t be dependent on somebody else to wipe the dust off your car. This won’t take long and without you knowing it, you are actually doing this for your own good.

• Let the morning sun engulf that body before taking a shower.

• Take the steps instead of the elevator especially upon knocking off from work. Using the stairs on your way up the office will make you perspire and too tired. Of course you have the option to take the number of floors you want to navigate especially if you are working 20 stories or more up high.

• Take time to walk casually in the alley during break periods. This will help you reorganize yourself physically and mentally especially if your work is pressure-filled.

• Don’t let somebody serve you coffee or lunch in the office. Walk to the canteen and order it yourself.

• Self-service cafes are mushrooming nowadays. Take one when you feel like eating.

• Associate with people who are exercise conscious. They are a great motivation to you.

• Whether at home or at a party, dance when there’s a chance. Avoid too much alcohol.

• Equip yourself with a copy of a popular simple exercise cd, there are lots to choose from. Take only the one you like best, play it on once in a while and follow the moves.

• Live and enjoy each passing day and look forward to a better day ahead. This will deactivate your frown muscles, the muscles that accelerate that unwanted aging look.

• Make these your regular routine, and in time you will forget that you areactuallydoing some exercise.

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING
by omrelaP

The world heavyweight boxing is now in a crisis for talents. Since the retirement of undisputed heavyweight king Linux Lewis, the heavyweight division has not yet produced quality boxers worthy of the game’s prize pot.

Before the year 2000, world heavyweight boxing was a very exciting phenomenon . Heavyweight boxing sport especially became very interesting with the emergence of boxing greats like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Joe Frazier and Evander Hollyfield.

Today, heavyweight boxing is in a virtual drought for talented and equally exciting quality prize fighters.