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 When I was very young, I remember watching late night Golden Gloves, WBC, and IBO fights with my father. I would sneak out past my bedtime to the dismay of my mother and immerse myself in the undoubtedly male-dominated world of professional boxing. I have been a fan of the sport ever since.
Once in awhile, a fighter captures the hearts and souls of boxing fans and takes them to new and exciting places. Manny Pacquiao is such a fighter. In his native country of the Philippines, Pacquiao's notability is proven by his role as a pacifier. The centuries old civil war is temporarily put on a standstill while the so-called, "People's Champ", fights for his constituents. Crime and most military operations are literally put on hold for this 30 year old slugger, whose fights attract not only the average joe, but celebrities such as Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Jay-Z, and Jeremy Piven.
The Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight on May 2nd was every boxing fan's dream. The energy in the arena was visibly electric. The number one pound-for-pound fighter versus the linear champion of the Junior Welterweight class going head to head in the most anticipated fight of the year.
The first round was clearly Pacquiao's. Hatton's aggressive, brawling style was no match for Pacquiao's speed and power. Despite some good body shots by Hatton, the first round ended with two knockdowns by Pacquiao. The first one with his new secret weapon, a very powerful right hook, and the next one using his trademark punch, a destructive left hook.
Round two started with Hatton becoming a little bit more intelligent in his boxing. It was looking to be a very good fight. But as soon as the 10 second warning bell rang, Hatton left himself open to Pacquiao's devastating left hook, leaving him cold and motionless on the canvas for a good number of minutes. Referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight without bothering to do a 10 second count. It was an unequivocal knockout and Hatton was clearly in need of urgent medical attention.
So the pound for pound champ ups his belt count to 6, equalling only the golden boy, Oscar Dela Hoya, whom he served a crushing defeat last December.
What's next for Manny Pacquiao? Possible a match with the winner of the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Juan Manuel Marquez fight. The former pound for pound champ, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. recently announced that he will come out of retirement to fight Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, a man who gave Pacquiao two of his most difficult nights in boxing. 2009 sure is gearing up to be one of the most exciting years in boxing history.
by Paula Purpera |
