Changes Pacquiao should make during rematch

 

Bradley dethrones Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight title

“Don’t be discouraged about boxing,” ex-champ Manny Pacquiao said after being dethroned by Timothy Bradley in a stunning upset decision. “There’s always next time.”

This is how gracefully Pacquiao assuaged the disgruntled feelings of his countrymen who thought he was robbed of his title and glory.

It was much of a consolation to many Filipinos and fans of Pacquiao worldwide knowing that there was hardly a person watching inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena who did not believe that Pacquiao had won the fight.

Even promoter Bob Arum described it best when he said the split decision was “crazy” and “unfathomable”.

“Can you believe that?” Arum fumed during the post-fight news conference, which, at some point called the three judges “The Three Blind Mice.”

Just to confirm that Bradley himself knew that he did not win the fight is when Arum climbed into the ring after the fight and approached the American challenger, saying, ‘You did very well.’ And what was Bradley’s answer? He said, ‘I tried hard, but I couldn’t beat the guy.’

So, there you go.

It was only fitting for the new declared WBO champ Bradley to accept the championship belt because it was handed to him by the three irresponsible judges in a silver platter, notwithstanding the punchstats clearly showing that Pacquiao dominated the 12-round bout.

The punchstats contradicted the outcome as Pacquiao landed more blows, 253-159, with a higher percentage of accuracy, 34%-19%. Pacquiao also connected more jabs, 63-51 and more power shots, 190-108.

All these simply added to the disgust that trainer Freddie Roach was feeling after he was totally dumbfounded by the decision.

But even as Roach is said to file a protest against the decision, if only to try to preserve the integrity of boxing, Arum has already announced that an inevitable rematch looms.

That being said, it is in order that the Pacquiao camp should make necessary adjustments that should insure a better and convincing win for the Filipino boxer. Simple and superficial as they may be, it is, nevertheless, going back to how the fight has been normally approached.

Roach should never again underestimate any boxer the way he belittled Bradley’s boxing prowess, saying, he has not gone up to the level of Pacquiao yet. Well, against a natural welterweight with a 28-0 record, before defeating Pacquiao, Bradley is and will always be a dangerous and explosive opponent. He should not be lump up with the likes of dela Hoya, Margarito, and even Cotto, who all lacks the nimbleness of Bradley.

Another thing is that Pacquiao should not let-up in the rounds where it matters most, and that is the last three or two rounds, which is dubbed as the championship rounds. Definitely, this is where Pacquiao did not get the nod of the judges – that is of course if the ‘3 blind mice’ were not corrupted.

Lastly, let us keep Pacquiao’s wife and children at home as it used to be. Surely, for any boxer, it is composing to have the family away from the ring side, as it is bothersome to have them that close, when there is that possibility that you might get bloodied, knockdown, or worst knockout, and you don’t want them to see it if and when it happens

Once inside the ring, winning is about having confidence, being comfortable, and being free of worries.

The Manny Pacquiao magic

Manny Pacquiao with Paris Hilton at post Pacquiao-Mosley fight

Every time Manny Pacquiao fights, the country comes to a standstill to watch and the boxing fans all over the world gets agog over the event and for a reason. He gives all what it takes to make every bout an interesting one and something to talk about.

Whether he wins by unanimous decision or by a knock-out, there is always a tale to be told about it.

Every win always endears him more to the boxing fanatics all over the world.

The Manny Pacquiao magic is nothing, but his mastery of the art of boxing.

He can slug it out if he wanted to, but he chooses the art of boxing for it is not sheer brute force that makes you win the contest, but it is the display of all the sum of a boxer’s workout that tilts the scale to his favor with his developed boxing prowess.

It is Pacquiao’s dedication, diligence, discipline and determination that has made him what he is today, but most of all it his ability to listen and follow the instructions of his coach Freddie Roach and other trainers that has propelled him to greater heights.

From his humble beginnings to being declared one of the greatest boxers and athlete of all times is simply awe-inspiring.

Ever since Manny Pacquiao became a household name in boxing he has become a world attraction and a certified box office hit due to his tremendous drawing power.

Anything that has name in it sells.

His charm has even captivated Paris Hilton that he was able to hold her close to him after his fight with Sugar Shane Mosley.

That is how far Manny Pacquiao’s magic has gone.