Can't waltz with Father Time
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 11 Jul 2018
HIS handlers say Manny Pacquiao, 39, will be a lot younger when he fights WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse on Sunday. That?s easy to believe.
The question is: how really young? Will he be, say, 25, 27, 30, come fight time?
Can Manny still blaze and brawl like a fierce young lion, like the original Pacific Storm?
Pacquiao himself cannot provide an apt answer, although he has loomed firm and luminous following the rigid two-month training in GenSan City, that included what they called the Rocky regimen, scaling terrible heights, short of parking up the mountain and chopping timber.
**
His camp has announced that a young Pacquiao wil be throwing a lot of punches, coupled with great head movement, terrific footwork.
In short, perfectly repackage for redemption, all set to barge back into the elite circle of prizefighting.
Manny indeed looked fresh and strong ?ready to rock---on Monday when he left for Kuala Lumpur with his huge entourage.
**
OK, but come Sunday at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, will the Pacman be as young and mighty as when he toppled Ricky Hatton cold and out in two rounds?
Or greater than when he battered and finished off Miguel Cotto in 2009 for his last knockout win?
One thing for sure, he cannot be expected to be as loose, predictable as when he suddenly grew old and dropped a disputed decision against Jeff Horn in Brisbane a little over a year ago.
**
There undoubtedly was some rush--they did cut corners--in firming up Pacquiao after a year-long inactivity following his shaky finish, when he was caught spent, boxing under a cloud in the final three rounds against Horn.
His camp promises a thrilla in Malaysia, with Manny running circles and dominating Matthysse.
Slower and less flashy, Matthysse has been tagged a 2-1 underdog.
**
It would however be dumb to overlook the fact that Matthysse, younger, happens to possess knockout power in both hands. He could also jam Manny?s magnificent rhythm, by refusing to rock and swing. He could score with strong deliberate moves, including damning body shots, soundless as waltz steps on the dance floor.
Unlike Pacquiao, Matthysse happens to have won his last two fights by knockout.
Pacquiao could indeed rock and blaze like old again.
Matthysse could waltz in secretly, a phantom menacing as dreaded Father Time.
Photo: Manny Pacquiao (C) jogs in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday a few days before the big day Sunday when he challenges WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur. Photo by Wendell Alinea.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
11-Year-Old Filipino-American Megan Paragua Makes History at World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Men whom Manny retired
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Astrolabio waiting for fight date against Nakatani
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Saludar to fight for WBO Oriental title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Former Unified World Champion Marlon Tapales Looks Forward to His Homecoming Bout at Midas Hotel and Casino in Manila, Philippines
Sat, 27 Apr 2024Mavs, Pacers Forge Ahead, 2-1, in Matches to Watch
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 27 Apr 2024Weights from Washington PA.
Sat, 27 Apr 2024Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing Signs Undefeated Super Middleweight Contender Junior Younan
Sat, 27 Apr 2024WFM Megan Althea Obrero Paragua grabs solo lead in the World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championships 2024
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 27 Apr 2024WEIGHIN RESULTS FOR RAMIREZ VS. BARTHELEMY | ORTIZ JR. VS. DULORME DOUBLEHEADER
Sat, 27 Apr 2024"LET"S SETTLE" NINE PHILLY FIGHTERS ON ONE PHILLY CARD Saturday, April 27, Liacouras Center on the Campus of Temple!
Sat, 27 Apr 2024DEFENDING CHAMPION KO PIN YI ADVANCES TO QUARTER-FINALS | WORLD POOL MASTERS 2024
Sat, 27 Apr 2024MCGRAIL VS. LEACH WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Sat, 27 Apr 2024WBC 2024 Convention to Held in Hamburg
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 27 Apr 2024Hall of Famer & Boxing Icon Roberto Duran Confirmed for Seventh Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 4, in Las Vegas
Sat, 27 Apr 2024