Analyst: Pacquiao needs tune up before Mayweather
MANILA, Philippines – If 7-division champ Manny Pacquiao still wants to go after Floyd Mayweather Jr. after his triumph in “The Event”, he would have to take it slow.
“I think he needs a tune up fight,” said seasoned boxing analyst Ed Tolentino.
Tolentino said the world welterweight champ has been thoroughly tested in his last 2 fights that he would need a “breather” should he decide to face Mayweather.
“He has been taking one tough fight after another,” stressed the analyst. “This Clottey fight came just a few months after he rumbled with [Miguel] Cotto for almost 12 rounds.”
Pacquiao went the full route against the durable Clottey, firing 1,231 punches in 12 rounds. He retained his World Boxing Organization (WBO) crown after securing a unanimous decision over the Ghanaian “Grandmaster”.
Elections looming
Tolentino also pointed out that Pacquiao also has other things in mind, which could affect his focus should he fight Mayweather.
Pacquiao is running for Congress this coming May to represent Saranggani Province.
“He's going to make a foray to an election campaign, he needs to get back his focus, he needs to get back his rhythm after the elections,” said Tolentino.
To do this, Pacquiao would have to face a boxer with lesser caliber.
“We also want to take care of Manny Pacquiao, he is our national treasure… we will appreciate if he slows down a little. He has been on high gear since the Cotto fight,” said Tolentino.
With the big guys now
Pacquiao has to be more careful now that he is fighting full-grown welterweights at the peak of their careers, said the analyst.
The Filipino champ won the WBO crown while challenging Cotto at a catch weight of 145 pounds. Although he fought Oscar de la Hoya at 147 pounds, the boxing great was already past his prime during the fight.
“Pacquiao ended the [Clottey] fight with some noticeable marks on his face. Before [that] he was dominating the fight. With Ricky Hatton, he was virtually untouched,” said Tolentino.
“This only shows that in a heavier division, people are not going to fall down and play dead at his command. They're tough they can take your punch and you have to improvise,” he said.
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
Share your views
Mr Ed Tolentino could be
Mr Ed Tolentino could be right, but I think otherwise. Manny Pacquiao's doesnt need any more tuning up. He had accomplished amazing feats of boxing, battered boxing legends. And now, going after Margarito at Super Welterweight Division, is a very very proud accomplishment hoping he gets the belt. Also considering that the heaviest Filipino boxer, Ceferino Garcia, was a Middleweight Champion, just one weight notch above Pacquiao's current weight division, and taking into account that it was around 50 years ago..
with all due respect..
Due respect to mr ed tolentino... i undrstand his desire to assure the well-being of manny.. but he must also undrstand that as manny rose ontop in boxing..hes no longer an exclusive "in the phil" boxer.. the whole world embraces him as well... so every move manny does, it will be under the eyes of the world..
The fact that manny is ontop of boxing, as he is considered p4p king, people (boxing fans) will expect nothing but the best from him... so in order to maintain his status in boxing (by having the approval of most of the boxing fans) he must continue to fight the best availble fighter there is.. if not it will deminish then his stature as the top boxer..
Im no expert in any sports but the case of manny, it only needs simple logic.. for manny to stay relevant in the eyes of boxing fans, he must only face the relevant opponents.. he can do the tune up thing in his training camp...