A clever boxing analyst or an egotistical writer nursing a wounded pride

BoxingNewsWorld.blogspot.com

First of all, let me say that I have a great deal of respect for all boxing writers and analysts out there. They are amongst, if not the most knowledgeable people in the business. They make an already exciting game even more invigorating and enjoyable with their clever insights, bold predictions, and accurate boxing reports. Most of all, they keep us – boxing fans – properly informed.

Hence, I usually believe them when they write opinionated articles about boxers - Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr or anybody else - because, as I’ve said, they know the game more than most people. However, I can’t help but disagree with Manuel Perez of BoxingNews24.com on a particular issue about Manny Pacquiao.

Just days before the Ricky Hatton – Manny Pacquiao fight, Manuel Perez was one of the few boxing writers who were perhaps overly praising Ricky Hatton, saying:

"All of those fighters (Morales, Barrera, and Marquez) were either much too little, or too old to even be considered as competition for Ricky Hatton. I can just imagine would happen if Fahsan 3K Battery stepped in the ring with Hatton, it wouldn’t be pretty. Hatton would literally be lifting him up with punches to the body and head and would probably send him flying out of the ring with a big shot."

He predicted a victory for the Englishman in one of his articles. To quote:

"Given that Hatton is the bigger, stronger, and healthier fighter at 140, I’m picking him to defeat Pacquaio. I think Manny is a great fighter, but he’s more suited for the super featherweight division than the higher weight classes of lightweight and light welterweight division.”

Then after Manny’s spectacular KO of Ricky, he was amongst those few personalities who were quick to say that Ricky was a shot fighter (although in fairness, he had mentioned before the fight that Ricky "is more like a relic of the past still competing against lesser fighters").

“The more I hear about Manny Pacquiao looking for a bout against Miguel Cotto the more I lose complete respect for Manny. First Pacquiao fights a shot and weight drained Oscar De La Hoya, who had to agree to come in at one of Pacquiao’s catch weight requests, then Pacquiao fights another shot fighter in Ricky Hatton, who also looked weight drained", he said.

Now, I’m abit confused. Can a fighter become shot overnight?

If the answer to this question is yes, then Manuel Perez has a valid point. But if it takes numerous boxing rounds or a couple of fights to accurately determine if a fighter is over-the-hill, then he is quite mistaken.

While I’m pondering for an answer, I am also wondering if Manuel Perez is a clever boxing analyst or an egotistical writer nursing a wounded pride.

Marshall N. B.
Boxing Fan