Can Pacquiao knock Mosley out?
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 27 Dec 2010
Okay, nobody wants boxing?s pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao to fight the over-the-hill Shane Mosley. Except, of course Top Rank bossman Bob Arum, Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach and the ?Pacman? himself.
An ESPN Sports Nation poll, in fact, revealed that Juan Manuel Marquez, whom the Filipino eight-division champion fought twice, would be the most desirable opponent for the reigning world welterweight and super-welterweight kingpin on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Outside of undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr., of course.
This is understandable because both Mayweather and Marquez, fans believe, stand a chance to beat the now Congressman from the Province of Sarangani and, perhaps, end his 15-year career.
Many critics of Pacquiao have been saying that all he does is fight Mayweather's left overs. Meaning, he fights opponents that Mayweather has already fought and defeated. True, but one must be reminded that Manny has been beating the hell these same opponents more impressively than Mayweather did.
For instance, boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya bowed to Pacquiao by not getting off his stool for the ninth round, while Mayweather could only earn a split decision triumph over the same guy.
Mayweather stopped Ricky Hatton only after 10 rounds. Pacquiao had an easier time sending the Brit to dreamland in only two rounds.
Still others argue that Mayweather completely dominated and taught Marquez a neat boxing lesson when the met while the Filipino struggled to a draw the first time they faced each other and a controversial split decision the next time. That is why a third and final fight with Marquez would make the most sense right now.
What Arum, Roach and Pacquiao want to remind critics in finalizing the fight against Mosley is that in their super-mega fight everyone was on his or her feet, shocked that Mosley was able to land such a big clean power shot to the face of Mayweather causing his knees to buckle and forcing him to hold on for life.
Although just like any other Mayweather fight, Floyd did what he knows how to do best and that is danced his way the rest of the way to salvage a victory although just like all 49 of Mosley's opponents, was not able to knock Sugar Shane out.
Mosley has never been stopped, the closest someone came to succeeding was the much taller, longer and heftier Vernon Forrest who had him in the most trouble in his whole career.
Does Mosley have a chance to cut short Pacquiao?s 13 straight winning run? Yes, of course, he still is dangerous for the first couple of rounds but if Pacquiao takes his training camp seriously, even an 80 percent Pacquiao he will prevail.
The bigger question, however, is will Manny be able to do what no other fighter was ever able to do and stop and knock out the Sugar Man? That is the only way, therefore, that those who do not believe in the wisdom of the match up can be justified.
Even if Manny overwhelms Mosley by a one sided decision, then many will say that he took Mosley at a time when his career is already on the downswing. And that victory would be an empty one.
Can Manny be the first to knock Mosley out? That remains to be seen.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
CATTERALL AND EUBANK CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH WELTERWEIGHT SHOWDOWN IN MANCHESTER ON JULY 5 LIVE ON DAZN
Sun, 18 May 2025Jayson Mama Set to Challenge for IBO World Super Flyweight Title in Johannesburg
Sat, 17 May 2025Fisher vs Allen 2: Can Johnny Make Necessary Improvements?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 17 May 2025Weights from Panamá City
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 17 May 2025CRUZ LANDS IBF ELIMINATOR AGAINST MISHIRO IN NEW YORK
Sat, 17 May 2025Fisher and Allen Hit the Scales Ahead of Highly Anticipated Heavyweight Rematch
Sat, 17 May 2025Boxing: Sport Entertainment or Entertainment Sport (Part Two)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 16 May 2025NYC PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: BERLANGA VS. SHEERAZ / SHAKUR STEVENSON VS. WILLIAM ZEPEDA
Fri, 16 May 2025HALL OF FAME TRAINER FREDDIE ROACH TO BE HONORED BY THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES IN PUBLIC CEREMONY AT FREDDIE'S GYM!
Fri, 16 May 2025HALL OF FAME BROADCASTER JIM LAMPLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
Fri, 16 May 2025Minnesota, Indiana Back Again in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 15 May 2025In Jonathan’s memory
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 15 May 2025WATCH: HITCHINS AND KAMBOSOS JR IN INTENSE FACE-OFF WITH ONE MONTH UNTIL NYC SHOWDOWN
Thu, 15 May 2025Toledo-Xignex Trojans finally win the PCAP online team chess tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 15 May 2025Former WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Nazarena Romero to Exercise Immediate Rematch Clause Against Mayelli Flores Rosquero
Thu, 15 May 2025