OnThEGRiND BoXiNG

Friday May 15th, 2009
By Alex McIntyre - OnThEGRiND BoXiNG Scotland

Pound for Pound King Manny Pacquiao is giving serious consideration to retirement. Current indications are pointing to the possibility of just one more fight in October for Pacquiao, who recently became 140lb. champ after completing what amounted to less than a two round campaign in the division.. The man who can literally stop wars in his home country is contemplating hanging up his gloves to devote himself to the political world. This however, is not the first time Pacquiao has tried his hand at politics. In May 2007 Pacquiao ran for election to the Philippine Congress but lost out amid allegations from the Pacquiao camp of election rigging. What is making him think it will be any different this time?

He has often commented about his desire to pursue his dream of serving his country, but surely the Filipino people could wait just another couple of years for their messiah to return home and serve them. Manny is only 30 years old and in his absolute fighting prime. He’s just come off spectacular wins over Oscar De La Hoya and the Light Welterweight King Ricky Hatton. He’s shocked even the most ardent of his critics with the relative ease of his weight jumping, and the brutality shown in the two round destruction of Hatton was just breathtaking. In short Manny Pacquiao has taken the world by storm.

So who can we expect Manny to fight, in what would in all likelihood be his last fight. Bob Arum is said to be keen on Edwin Valero or Miguel Cotto, but the entire boxing world craves a match up against former p4p King Floyd Mayweather.
Arguably the best two fighters of the decade, Floyd and Manny provide the ultimate match up of a defensive genius against an all action offensive powerhouse.These two must face each other in what could be the defining fight of this era.

The 2009 version of Manny Pacquiao seems an altogether different beast when compared to the his previous incarnation. Two years ago a fight with Mayweather would have been scoffed at by most boxing fans, but with the help of trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao has developed into not only the best but the most exciting fighter on the planet.

Complete with his “new” right hook, The Pacman has it all now…power in both hands, lightning speed, deadly accuracy, great footwork, much improved balance, and he has also mastered the art of carrying his attributes upward in whatever weight class he chooses to compete at. He is indeed the complete package.

Floyd Mayweather however has questions to answer. He left boxing at the height of his powers in 2007 while still on top, calling it quits amid reports of his body beginning to break down, and rumored hand problems. Mayweather claims to be the best fighter of his generation, but could the fact that he’s been out of the ring for 18 months prove to be his undoing? His fight with Juan Manuel Marquez will hold some answers for sure, and although he’s a heavy favorite and much the bigger man, Marquez is an elite fighter in his own right and cannot be counted out entirely. With the ability to read his opponent and make adjustments mid fight, and bearing in mind that he is also the best counter puncher in the sport right now, he will give Floyd a bigger test than many people are predicting.
2009 has been a good year for boxing…, there’s been drama, upsets and some great fights already. Let’s put the icing on the cake of a vintage year with the fight of the decade, Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao.