What is Pacquiao’s Ultimate Edge?
“Everybody’s got a game plan until they get hit.” – Iron Mike Tyson.
Comments (33)|30 Liked It
Tungod, Inabanga, Bohol – Filipino pride and the world’s best fighter pound-for-pound Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) is gunning for his 50th professional victory, win an unprecedented 7th world title in as many weight divisions, and further his claim at the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) recognition, just weeks from now. His worthy adversary, Miguel Angel “Junito” Cotto (34-1-0, 27 KOs) of Puerto Rico only hopes to retain his WBO welterweight title and thwart Pacquiao’s oozing rise to boxing immortality, especially at his expense. The historic Pacquiao-Cotto showdown takes place on November 14 (November 15 Philippine time) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Early in his career, Pacquiao was widely regarded as a one-dimensional fighter, who overly relied on his offense. Right now, Pacquiao has undoubtedly mastered every aspect known to the sport. Throughout his career, he has had the benefit of having lightning-quick reflexes, the stamina of a horse, and hammer-strong fists that his previous opponents had to endure and overcome. They all tried, but much more often than not, they failed.
All these imposing advantages, in one way or another, respectively form an integral part of the complete fighting machine that Pacquiao currently is. The scary part is that many boxing pundits even think that he’s still yet to reach his full potential.
Some pugs have a competitive edge in size, reach or both during fight night. Others rely much on either their speed or power, while only a handful of boxers possess both. Pacquiao, for his part, might not have had an advantage in size and reach in majority of his fights, but he has most certainly so enjoyed a considerable edge in both speed and power all throughout his entire boxing career.
But a question still lingers and remains unanswered: What is Pacquiao’s ultimate advantage? Is it his speed… his power… his conditioning… or is it something else? The great heavyweight “Iron” Mike Tyson once said, “Everybody’s got a game plan until they get hit.” That basically suggests power – in boxing, it essentially just means the ability to hurt one’s opponent. Sure thing it does apply to Pacquiao, too.
On the other hand, one item still remains largely undervalued in terms of providing him with the ultimate advantage over his opponents and that is the fact that Pacquiao enjoys a considerable psychological edge! While other boxers have to wait for the sound of the opening bell to gain the lead in a boxing match, Pacquiao’s offensive often starts even before he laces his gloves. He knows no fear whoever he shares the squared circle with, while his foes succumb to the bludgeoning pressure of his reputation. Nothing beats that… not even his speed and power.
Comments are highly appreciated. You can write them below or send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph
33 Comments
Rightly said!!!!!
We share the same thought. I never expected anyone would point out this edge.
Manny has more to it than gloves….his BIG heart to the people, God Bless him! and to hell to the corrupt politicians!
He’s got the weight of a country on his shoulders. The crazy traffic in the philipines stops when he fights; the roads become deserted. He is a true warrior in whatever weight class he is in.
His edge ‘his growing up from being poor’. Truly, great story of a Pinoy Cinderella Man. Keeping his trusted man Buboy (childhood buddy). Still remaining humble inspite being a millionaire ops a billionaire in Philippine standard.
Its quite stimulating and informative,ive seeing his previous fight over in the tv and inthe internet,and noticed you are absolutely right of what your story told about, on the last paragraph of your assessment.Thank you,
I like this last part of yours.
“He knows no fear whoever he shares the squared circle with, while his foes succumb to the bludgeoning pressure of his reputation.”
It’s true. Manny Pacquiao’s opponents feel the pressure (mentally) of fighting him especially those who will fight him for the very first time.
Manny is a superior breed, mentally and physically! He is a cross-bred of Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.
Absolute talent, experience of deep poverty, hardwork, faith in God, relationship with his family and people rolled into one is Pacquiao’s ultimate edge..not to mention, destiny.
deep faith in GOD! this is pacman’s ultimate edge! he believes that the strongest force in the universe is on his side!!!
…do not forget that manny pacquiao is also built with kalamungay and bugas-mais.
Absolutely true, Manny Pacquiao is a rare kind of boxer. He’s that type that comes only once in a lifetime. His attributes as popularly known are speed, stamina and power. But many do not know the most important quality of Pacquiao. This is what we call COURAGE. Many boxers can punch like a bull, has the stamina of a horse and the speed of a track star. However, once they are hit by a solid punch their tail waggle down low like a scared dog. On Manny’s part, once you hurt him he will be like a wounded tiger reaping with anger showing all his might to destroy or be destroyed by his opponent.
he’s got the spirit of a true warrior. he knows there’s danger. he’s aware that he’s no invincible. absolutely, THERE’S FEAR!but he’s always bloody ready. he trains like no prayer could save him,yet, he HE PRAYS like no perfect training can help.
on top of this, he’s got the best intentions in the world-that is to make everybody happy. not on only to his countrymen but even to boxing critics and fanatics by means of giving the best fight everytime he steps in. plus,he’s got no mean bone!
now who can go wrong with all of these?
MANNY PACQUIAO is a GREAT WARRIOR! the true blooded PHILIPPINE HERO!..MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS!!!
I know that edge but like everybody, I need to be reminded. Thanks for this article. You hit the bullseye. Minutes before a fight, Manny is so relax, very confident, all-smiles as opposed to his opponents. ODLH was seen to be very very nervous, as a result he froze. He could not execute freely his reflexes. So was devastated. Same with Hatton. On Nov 14 it would be same all over again. Manny is fearless except to the ALMIGHTY Whom Manny gets strength, power, quickness and the best mindset.
EMMANUEL “MANNY” PACQUIAO- We can call him names such as; “The Destroyer”, “The Pacific Storm”, “King of the Square Ring”, “The Little Brown Beast from the East”, “Mexicutioner”, “The Latino Tamer”, “PacMan” or any feared names in boxing. But his birthname speaks it all: Manny(Money)+Pacquiao/Pakyaw(Take-it-All). Then you know why he is going to take ALL the money, glory and fame of the Boxing World.
This man is phenomenal, and it is not only in the 145 pound division his havoc stops. After annihilating Miguel Cotto, next would be PAVLIK, ADAMEK or GAYWEATHER DAYUNYUR.
well said. . . ive always known that his a fearless type of fighter but i never said it. . hahaha. . . i wonder why?
IF PAC LOSS THIS ONE,IT IS VILLAR\’S FAULT,HE DISTRACTS ,DISTURBS AND DIDNOT GIVE PACMAN ENOUGH TIME TO TRAIN. SHAME ON YOU VILLAR
Pacquiao is, at this moment, a pride of the Philippines.
And their politicians and government leaders, the shame of the Philippines.
I wonder, will Pacquiao still be a pride of his country if ever he becomes a politician?
Manny For PRESIDENT…..
paquiao greatest edge is his trust and believed in GOD!!!
Can’t agree more bai; you are certainly right.
yup i agree manny is spectacular! one in a million fighter.ive seen him in the blow by blow before,God his really the real D.E.A.L his eunique very eunique fighter,all this years of keeping eye on him i come into conclusion that if your a Son of God you will always be victorious. If God is with me who will be againts me! A very good choice manny to serve God.
Nice article. But the initial quotation should be attributed to JOE LOUIS, not Mike Tyson. It’s the Brown Bomber who said it, not Iron Mike.
No Yo! It was Tyson who said that. maybe MT was quoating JL when he said that but im sure tyson said that in an interview.
I stopped reading after ‘Pac’s claim of being the G.O.A.T’ line. You take the nuthugging to another level dude. Im Pinoy too but I need to put things into perspective here by saying that the GOAT is SRR according to boxing scribes and fans. Don’t just pull words out of thin air because you like it, it makes your article complete garbage honestly.
I think the ultimate edge of Manny than other boxers is his Lion Heart…. He has possess this talent.. A fighter that never gives up..speed and power is his advantage too..
“positive” psychological edge…pacman is a living example of what the book of “the secret” depicts…
Pacquiao’s great advantage is his “agimat”. You have to believe in his “agimat” because he tested it many times. Before i have doubted it, but now, i am strongly in for that thing. Amazing!!!!
he wins every fight without doing evil… we just hope he’ll prove again for this upcoming fight with cotto.
Where did he get his agimat,so I can become a great boxer like Pacman too ?
Stop all the many guessing games all of you might have in your mind why Mr. Pacquiao have this amazing talent and everything. If you will trace his bloodline he is the decendant of the great Philippine warrior Lapu-Lapu who fought the Spanish colonizers. That’s why he doesn’t care who he will face next in the ring. He have the blood of one of the greatest ruler of the island. Do your own genetic research to find out then trace his roots from the very beginning.
For me he is deeply driven by his beginnings, and has never lost touch no matter how far he has come. A true fighting great and a wonderfully entertaining fighter.