WORRIED SULAIMAN SAYS BOXING NEEDS PACQUIAO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 30 Aug 2007
A worried WBC president Jose Sulaiman, concerned over reports of disruptions and distractions during Manny Pacquiao’s training at the RWS Gym of Rex "Wakee" Salud in Cebu City for his October 6 rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera has said, "I’m very worried because boxing needs Pacquiao."
Well known boxing writer James Blears told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today he had spoken to Sulaiman who noted that " many of the new heroes are stepping down and leaving the sport. They’re getting old. So boxing has to protect the permanence of the heroes for, until the time of new heroes comes. That is our obligation."
While stating that Floyd Mayweather was to him "the best pound for pound as a boxer, the best pound for pound in excitement, passion, tension and aggressiveness is Pacquiao."
Blears said reports of many people crowding his training sessions and threats of celebrated trainer Freddie Roach to go home unless things change radically and immediately, had rung alarm bells at WBC headquarters.
Sulaiman said Roach is a "very decent, honest and serious trainer. If he is risking his position as trainer of Pacquiao, there must be something very bad. I think the boxer should not allow anything that makes them lose concentration and dedication to the mental and physical preparation for a fight."
He said Pacquiao should "make a correction in his mental attitude and devote totally to his profession that has given him what he has, that has made him what he is. He cannot go on this way."
Sulaiman warned Pacquiao that although he blasted Marco Antonio Barrera in eleven rounds in their first battle in November 2003 in San Antonio, Texas, nothing at all can be taken for granted in the rematch. He told Blears, "Barrera is not any fighter. He’s a helluva good fighter and even though he’s not in his prime he can still be dangerous for any fighter in the world."
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