27.09.07 – By Matthew Hurley: In the hectic world that Manny Pacquiao resides in people on the outside looking in worry that the most exciting fighter in boxing will lose focus or burn out. At some point the Filipino Tornado WILL burn out. His fighting style dictates that. But it’s that fighting style that makes him such a fan favorite.
Political aspirations aside, and fortunately Pacquiao was denied office in a recent election (what was he thinking?), the little whirlwind is preparing himself for a highly anticipated rematch with former victim Marco Antonio Barrera. Pacquiao has become something of a Mexican killer, having deposed of two legends in Barrera and Erik Morales and fighting to a disputed draw with Juan Manuel Marquez.
The fact that he had Marquez on the canvas three times in the first round would lead one to believe that no matter how close the fight became the “Pac Man’s” lead would have been insurmountable.
It’s the one fight on Manny’s ledger that begs repeating. In fact one could argue that the rematch with Barrera should have been put on the shelf so Pacquiao and Marquez could settle some unfinished business. Nevertheless Manny and Marco will square off on October 6th and should distractions get in the way, this could be a much a closer fight than most people think.
“Don’t worry,” Freddie Roach, Manny’s trainer repeats like a mantra. “Manny is ok and he‘ll be ready and prepared for Barrera. We aren’t taking him lightly.”
The problems Manny Pacquiao has encountered center specifically around the fact that he is a superstar in his homeland of the Philippines. He’s also achieved quite a bit of name recognition and popularity in just about every other country. He is that very rare cross-over star. None of this has gone to his head – in fact he remains a very humble and sweet man. But the distractions are endless and oftentimes mind numbing. He’s only human after all.
Which leads one to wonder when all of the celebrity and pressure is going to catch up with a man who is simply a fighter, and a great one at that. Everything in life catches up to all of us at some point, but Pacquiao is living life in a vacuum and at break neck speed. Something has got to give at some point. But the feeling here is that burnout is a few bouts away. It is, however, a lingering dread.
“Don’t worry about Manny,” Freddie Roach maintains. “He’s fine. He’s focused and he’s happy. He’s enjoying the crowds and the celebrity. He loves to play to the crowd.”
Still, Roach recently threatened to leave Pacquiao’s camp because of just that lack of focus. Once he felt that Manny had screwed his head back on he quit threatening, but that certainly could lead one to believe that cracks are beginning to show in Manny’s game. Whatever the case may be Manny Pacquiao will have a motivated opponent in front of him on October 6th. Regardless of how spent a force Marco Antonio Barrera may be he will come with everything he has left. The “Pac Man” better be prepared.