MP?s FINAL BATTLE
By Robbie Pangilinan
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 06 Apr 2016
LAS VEGAS - As eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao climbs up the ring for what would be his final battle in boxing, Filipinos the world over root for him, as they always have.
The Pambansang Kamao will face Timothy Bradley for the third time on April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The Filipino sports icon will retire from boxing after this fight.
Gerry Pe?alosa, former junior bantamweight and bantamweight titleholder, who had an excellent 21-year professional career, is confident about his ?hero.?
?I am sure Pacquiao will win by unanimous decision. Speed is his biggest edge. If ever he will continue fighting, he should face Mayweather again. You are my hero!? said Pe?alosa, who is now a boxing promoter.
Former Philippine Sports Commission Chairman and now president of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association Philip Ella Juico, thinks that the People?s Champ will be victorious in the late rounds.
?Maybe 8th or 9th round onwards. Pacquiao has too much speed and power and he is too smart for Bradley,? said Juico. He knows, too, that the Pacman has his weaknesses.
?He can become over eager and careless. He has to watch out for that looping right hand, almost a round house right, of Bradley,? he continues. Nevertheless, he cheers for Manny and adds that only the Filipino sports icon can tell if he still has the appetite for one or two more fights.
Robert Nazal, CEO of YSA Skin Care Corporation and a sports fan, says Manny will win by decision.
?Bradley is in his prime and Manny has slowed down a bit. But skill-wise, Bradley is miles away from Manny. Bradley, however, is very good defensively and can surely take a punch. Manny should get a rematch from Floyd Mayweather. He deserves it. Go for the knock out Manny!? Nazal said.
Retired professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association Kenneth Duremde and Meralco Bolts? John Ferriols both think Pacquiao will win this fight via unanimous decision. Duremdes believes that Manny?s advantage is his strength and power.
Famous basketball coach Norman Black, Head Coach of the Meralco Bolts, analyzed the two fighters.
?The guy (Bradley) won two straight fights, Brandon Rios via TKO and Jessie Vargas via UD. Manny lost on his last fight, but I still go for Manny. It will be an exciting match,? he said.
Healthwell Nutraceuticals Inc. President Paulo Legaspi has no doubt that Manny will win, but like Ferriols, he believes that the champion boxer should soon retire and focus on his senatorial race.
Back in the Philippines, Pacquiao is running for a Senate seat after his term as a Congressman.
Bradley beat Pacquiao in June 2012 with a controversial split decision, then Pacquiao won in 2014 in a one-sided unanimous decision over Bradley. This fight is Pacquiao?s return to the ring after losing in the highly publicized match against Floyd Mayweather and recovering from the shoulder surgery he had a few days after.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Robbie Pangilinan.
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