So what is the real story with Pacquiao?

Last night’s demolition of Antonio Margarito was poignant to me for a number of reasons. Firstly it was the night Margarito properly got his comeuppance for his past transgressions, he was brutalised by the smaller Pacquiao and whilst I don’t wish it on him, a beating like that could promote the same Parkinsons disease that he mocked Freddie Roach for having.

Secondly Margarito regained a measure of my respect with his performance. I rate Miguel Cotto so highly for being a warrior so I would be lying if I said Margarito didn’t show massive heart by continuing to come forward up until the final bell with his eyes almost swollen shut and his body battered.

But thirdly and most importantly, did we see a slip in Manny Pacquiao or was it something he projected himself? Despite his elusiveness Pacquiao has become easier to find as of late, Clottey, when not hiding behind his high guard, was able to mark up Pacquiao’s face whilst Margarito a slow, sloppy and inaccurate puncher was able to find him too. It is a testament to how highly Pacquiao is rated that we question if his ability has diminished after so roundly battering Margarito physically and on the scorecards but whether he allowed it or not Margarito was was able to back him up and land on the Filipino fighter and Pacquiao said himself he was lucky to have escaped the 6th round after Margarito caught him with a pulverising bodyshot.

We had got used to believing Pacquiao was invincible so to see this now of course is going to raise some eyebrows, obviously you take into account that Pacquiao was never a defensive master and it was more his speed of foot and hand that allowed him to get out of trouble as well as put opponents in trouble but Pacquiao should never have been troubled by a slow plodding fighter like Margarito regardless of his size, it is usually good boxers that put up most resistance so Pac’s performance against Margarito throws up some interesting questions.

An obvious answer is an age old one that many fighter use (both truthfully and falsely in light of less than stellar performances), “I allowed my opponent to hit me.” Timothy Bradley said he hadn’t performed at 100% against Luis Carlos Abregu in order to draw in other 140 pounders to fight him, Pacquiao admitted to this tactic against Clottey as he tried to get the Ghanaian to open up rather than hide behind his guard and he may have done the same thing against Margarito, using himself as bait in order to lure a bigger fish – Floyd Mayweather Jr.

It is speculated that Pacquiao is susceptible to bodyshots so why would he highlight on a supposed weakness in such a way? Also the fact he slowed down and traded with Margarito when he could easily have danced around the lumbering Mexican shows that he was perhaps putting himelf in situations he didn’t need to be. It’s not uncommon for fighters to wait until an opponent has gone past their peak, even if just slightly, before trying to get into the ring. Sugar Ray Leonard famous decided he wanted to take on Marvelous Marvin Hagler after watching the middleweight’s fight with John ‘The Beast’ Mugabi so perhaps Manny was trying to lure his foe into thinking he is past his best.

HBO, Max Kellerman especially, made a point of trying to imply that Pacquiao had slipped. It’s no secret that the network have been pushing for the fight and with their commentators planting this seed of doubt over Pacquiao’s ability in Mayweather’s mind it may encourage Mayweather to finally step up to the table. Pacquiao could have won that fight easier but he made it hard for himself. Just makes you think, was this done to lure in Mayweather or is everything catching up with Pacquiao? Have the wars and political responsibilities final slowed down Pac Man?

A move back down to welterweight is on the cards for the WBC junior middleweight champion, hopefully it will be to face Mayweather and we can get the answers to these questions.

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