AS SEEN ON TV
Jitters over Pacquiao versus Cotto
Every time Manny Pacquiao steps into the ring there’s always one back-of-mind, niggling question:
Is he going to lose this time?
I’m sure it’s not just me. A lot of us may have asked ourselves that same question again and again.
Covering and broadcasting the Pacquiao fights (always on Sundays when I anchor news advisories for ABS-CBN and ANC) there is always that uneasy feeling that this contender is THE ONE to bring Pacman to his knees. And I hate to bear the bad news on TV although it has not happened so far.
Sports analyst and commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz is always invited on the set for his two cents worth on any Pacquiao fight. He would effortlessly give his fearless forecast that Pacquiao will take his enemy down.
And he’s always right. So far.
I still struggle with making a similarly daring prediction despite Pacquiao’s dependable performance. I somehow look forward (with dread, I must add) to the one fight that would end differently.
It’s not that I don’t have faith in Pacman but I guess hype gets the better of me.
Weeks before a fight the “strength, angst and might” of Pacquiao’s upcoming opponents are all over international media as they make subtle threats that our boxing hero is no match to them, ring idols. It also helps that clowns like Floyd Mayweather Sr. makes biting forecasts about a definite, sorry loss for Pacquiao. Besides, Pacquiao’s past contenders also have legendary track records to go with their viscous fighting styles.
These make me wallow in doubt and pessimism.
I also get worried seeing opponents sweat it off in a gym while Pacman is engaged in laid back training in some plaza in the province pausing for autographs and posing for pictures with fans. It bothers me a tad that he keeps a tight social calendar filled with film premieres, campaign sorties, or just good times with his non boxer friends.
During the Ricky Hatton bout the Brit Pug appeared burlier than Manny who was trying to make weight. European sports fans portrayed Hatton as fierce and unforgiving. I really thought Manny would lose even if weeks before their fight, Hatton was seen feasting on beer and munching calorie-laden potato chips when he’s supposed to get into shape.
I also could not say Pacquiao was more ready to face Hatton. He seemed to have spent more time shooting commercials and striking poses for billboards than sparring. I had my reservations up until he brought down the rather sluggish, flabby Hatton on an early round no less. Praise potato chips!
I saw the same cloud hovering when Manny faced gym buffed Golden Boy Oscar Dela Hoya last year. Dela Hoya is after all, a household boxing name with obvious muscular prowess and an equally daunting fighting form despite his age. In fact through the early rounds that Dela Hoya controlled I was almost certain Manny would bow down.
It was a long, lip-biting moment for me until Dela Hoya finally saw stars in the 9th round. Manny was just too fast and Dela Hoya, with all the caution he’s received about that treacherous south paw did not see the punches coming.
As Pacquiao faced off with other challengers David Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Jorge Solis and Erik Morales, my doubts persisted. I even thought Oscar Larios would take Manny down. Larios did hammer Manny with punches to the last round. Had I indulged dares to bet on Larios I would have been penniless.
I am told by Ronnie Nathanielsz time and again that Pacquiao is a great boxer with unmatched strategy, surprising stamina, lethal speed and upbeat attitude. All these contribute to a likely win. Yet I still can’t come to terms with that.
On Sunday, Pacquiao faces South American Miguel Cotto. Unlike Manny’s previous challengers, Cotto is “low key” despite his impressive amateur and professional boxing resume. And with less fanfare compared with Manny’s previous challengers, Cotto has the aura of an underdog. He also doesn’t talk too much reminding me just how fatally deep, silent waters are.
Could this be Manny’s defeat that I’ve been dreading? Is Cotto the dark horse tasked to deliver the big blow?
Now I struggle with yet another bout of pre-fight jitters with my usual nagging pessimism. And on these rare occasions, I look forward to the sheer pleasure of being proven wrong, once more.
