Shorts: Powerful Pinoys

Forgotten But Not Gone

     It's easy to understand but not altogether forgivable that most people forgot that Manny Pacquiao was not the only Filipino that fought in a boxing ring last weekend.  Filipino pugilists Richie Mepranum and Eden Sonsona also took to the ring and like their idol Manny, ended up victorious.  (Michael Farenas also fought but the fight ended in a no decision because of a clash of heads)  Mepranum outworked and outpointed previously undefeated flyweight Hernan Marquez in their 10-round battle in the Gaylord Hotel on the eve of the Pacquiao fight. Meanwhile, Sonsona reminded the world he was the Sonsona to remember (and not Marvin) as he knocked out former world champ bantamweight Mauricio Pastrana in the 8th round.  So devastating was his knock out that the referee didn't bother to count out the Colombian when he fell to the canvass.  Mabuhay!

Fill 'Er Up

     If people are still wondering just how many Pinoys are already in the U.S., they need to look no further than Sunday's Pacquiao-Clottey fight.  Cowboy Stadium, configured for 45,000 seats, welcomed 50,994 people, the third largest boxing audience in an indoor arena in U.S. history.  Judging from the amount of flags seen along the stands and the deafening roar for Pacman, it can easily be surmised that Pinoys made up a good number of that crowd.  Pinoys, not only from Texas but as far as New Jersey and Chicago, according to an AP Report.  Talk about people power.

Action Star

     Of course, the best example of Pinoy dominance last weekend is the planet's best boxer, Manny Pacquiao.  Pacman unleashed a flurry onto challenger Joshua Clottey, pounding the Ghanian into a dominant, unanimous victory.  While many concentrate on Clottey's reluctance to punch (actually I did too on my Facebook status), what many should consider is that Clottey's intention to not get knocked out is not the only reason he didn't punch.  For anyone who doesn't, here are two questions.  Have you seen what happens to people (like Miguel Cotto, David Diaz and Ricky Hatton) who trade punches with Pacquiao?  What do you do when a hurricane of punches named Manny comes?  The answers are, "They get knocked out," and, "Cover up like hell."  So, as much as last weekend's massacre was a function of Clottey's lack of resolve, it's also about Pacquiao's sheer brilliance, ferocity, speed and power.  

photos courtesy of the AP and special thanks to Tiborce and his tremendous blog

3 Reasons to Get Even More Excited for Sunday

     It could be Pacquiao's sheer dominance and brilliance in his past 5 fights or it could be Clottey's relative anonimity.  It could even be disappointment over the postponed fight against Mayweather.  Whatever it is, there just doesn't seem to be enough buzz for this Sunday's fight between Manny Pacquiao, the Philippines' greatest boxer and Ghana's former Welterweight Champion, Joshua Clottey.  While many people scoff at Clottey's chances, I think there is more  than one reason to find this fight more than exciting.


Machete?

     Despite being a heavy underdog, people don't seem to remember that Clottey has never been hurt in a fight.  He has lost, twice by (controversial) decision and once by disqualification, but no opponent in his career has ever hurt him enough to get him in trouble.  Even when Miguel Cotto knocked him down, it was one of those flash knockdowns, and Clottey promptly stood up and almost ended up beating Cotto.  Clottey is always chiseled and in shape.  He has excellent defense (even Kevin Iole calls him a modern Winky Wright), making him tremendously difficult to hit and when he does get hit, he has shown he can take it.  That's why this fight, as much as it is a test for Clottey, it is a actually a true test for Pacquiao.  If people want to see just how strong Pacquiao is and exactly how technically sound his offense is now, this is the fight that will show them.


Three Handed Monster

      Joshua Clottey, as powerful as he is, is even more dangerous because he is, as my brother calls it, a "three handed monster."  Aside from his heavy right hand a capable left, Clottey has a penchant for using his head, the illegal way.  Call it whatever you want, dirty or just lunging, the fact of the matter is, Clottey's opponents have a high percentage of getting hit with a head butt.  That's why a lot of Clottey's opponents have ended up bleeding.  This is a significant problem because as tough as Pacquiao is, he hates bleeding.  He hates blood tests and he loses speed and ferocity when he starts bleeding in fights.  It can be remembered that he had a lot of trouble in the fights against Agapito Sanchez and Erik Morales, where he was bleeding from head butts.  (He lost to Morales, while Sanchez was disqualified)  That's why this fight is a lot more dangerous than people anticipate.  It's hard to fight an opponent who uses his head (illegally).


Pressure Points

      The problem with being the great one like Pacquiao is, everyone now expects him to dominate everyone not named Mayweather.  Now, Manny is the ultimate favorite, and all the pressure to dominate and win is all on him.  That, coupled with the pressure to win for the entire Philippine nation is more than enough for mere mortals to carry.  That's why this fight is tougher for Pacquiao than usual.  This time, he has to win and dominate. Otherwise, his aura of invincibility loses a lot of luster.


      Of course, like any other FIlipino, I am still 100% behind Pacquiao.  I'm still predicting an impressive win, 9th round or later.  It's just that, I think I'm going to be a lot more excited than others about this fight.  You would be too if you agree.


photos courtesy of AP and Yahoo! Sports