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The formidable pairing of Pacquiao and Roach - master boxer and master tactician

The formidable pairing of Pacquiao and Roach - master boxer and master tactician

Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, has expressed concern over possible low blows from Miguel Cotto on November 14, saying he wants automatic disqualification for any deliberate shots below the belt (click here to read the story).

Of course, it can be difficult to distinguish between deliberate and accidental shots – especially if the offending boxer knows how to disguise an intentional low blow.

Let’s face it, some master boxers have learnt the art of delivering illegal shots without the referee noticing. Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield was quite a craftsman who used his head in more than just the cerebral way!

It could be difficult to convince a referee to DQ a boxer, especially when they’re participating in the biggest fight of the year! Do you remember when Mike Tyson was thrown out the ring after biting Holyfield’s ear? The fact is that Tyson bit Holyfield’s ears twice that night, and was disqualified only after the second bite.

Pacquiao should ensure he’s wearing a decent protector cup. But seriously, he should take a leaf from the book of Marco Antonio Barrera, who showed the importance of fighting fire with fire when he handed Naseem Hamed his first (and only) defeat in 2001.

Hamed came into the fight with a reputation for wrestling opponents to the canvas – so in the first clinch of their bout, Barrera threw Hamed to the floor! In one of the later rounds – the 12th, if I remember correctly – Barrera ran him into a ring post. He was warned for the first offence and docked a point for the second, but he was not disqualified. Barrera’s tactics – which included a brilliant display of counter-punching – took the heart out of Hamed. That effectively ended the Englishman’s career.

A boxer friend of mine, the late Mzukisi Sikali, once told me how in a WBU title bout he was hit low by an opponent, and he immediately replied with a low blow of his own. The referee stepped in straight away and warned them both to stop. The fight was clean after that, and Sikali went on to win by stoppage.

If Cotto lands a low blow, Pacquiao should – if at all humanly possible – retaliate with his own shot to the orchestra stalls.

Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.

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Comments

 

Mang Opty

October 22, 2009 at 10:33 pm

You have a very good point. It’s a way to keep things honest.

 

Troen Gonzales

October 23, 2009 at 3:00 am

Pacquiao might as well take Cotto’s heart away with dazzling combos than fight dirty. It’s just not in Manny’s blood to do that.

 

Johanne

October 23, 2009 at 3:18 am

That’s an interesting point. But I think that asking Pacquiao to fight fire (illegal blows in this case) with fire is like telling a Labrador Retreiver to bite with brutality.

Remember Pacman’s fight with the late Agapito Sanchez? Sanchez blatantly fouled Pacquiao in all sorts of ways. And the ref, obviously partial to Sanchez, never gave the DQ but instead went to the score card when the fight was halted because of yet another illegal blow. The fight was eventually scored a “draw”.

In any case, Larry Merchant was even baffled since Pacquiao never retaliated despite being blatantly wronged.

It was a sham of a fight but it’s telling. It’s just not in Pacquiao’s nature to ‘cheat’ even if it seems justified to do so.

 

GP

October 23, 2009 at 3:19 am

I don’t think Pacquiao will stoop down to that level. He’s just a genuinely honorable fighter inside the ring.

 

G-man

October 23, 2009 at 3:46 am

Manny Pacquiao is not that kind of man. He doesn’t need to make and wouldn’t try to use a low blow like other boxers do!

 

Pacquiao Fan

October 23, 2009 at 4:42 am

It will be a real test for Manny Pacquiao for Cotto is natural welterweight and has power too. If Cotto will fight clean then chance of winning this fight by KO not later than 9th round has a big chance for Pacman.

 

Knowitall

October 23, 2009 at 4:56 am

It just isn’t manny’s style. That’s why he is adored by many. He isn’t a dirty fighter, even if his opponent is dirty, he’ll play fair.

You may see it as a weakness, but for some, it’s a virtue.

 

boomboom

October 23, 2009 at 6:11 am

MANNY PACQUIAO SHOULD WEAR A CHASTITY BELT IN CASE OF A LOW BLOW!

 

Packy

October 23, 2009 at 8:21 am

Some say speed kills but low blows can resurrect you when you are getting killed in the ring.

Manny Pacman you should wrap your balls with plaster of paris.

 

lancecolin

October 23, 2009 at 9:09 am

a very good point, mr. isaacson. but not in my wildest dream will the pacman ever do that to his opponent. he always plays fair that’s why he is even admired by those he fought in the past. he has won the hearts of many fans because he always respects the other guy. maybe he may even “throw bread back if he was stoned”. can’t wait for nov 14th!!!

 

Pacquiao vs Cotto

October 23, 2009 at 11:19 am

Hey dude… What are you up to? You are feeding Manny Pacquiao with your nasty thoughts!

For your latest Pacquiao vs Cotto update, visit http://pacquiao-vs-cotto.cebuspace.com/

 

sportscarnut

October 23, 2009 at 5:23 pm

pac won’t hit him south of the border but rest assured he will get punished for that. that’s fighting fire with atomic bombs

 

Pochy51

October 24, 2009 at 8:14 pm

Sorry folks, Manny only win this using his flashing speed… if that not work, i think he will gonna lose poorly. Cotto is stronger and harder puncher, only lose on speed factor.
I suggest to see Cotto – Mosley, and after that, check Pacquiao Marquez II. So, analyze both faigther and you will see that Pacquiao only can win if his speed work and Cotto cant catch hin.

 

Saudiboy

October 27, 2009 at 1:02 am

It’s hard to tell who will win the fight. There are so many speculations and analysis basing on their previous fights. However, the outcome of the fight rests on the fighters who will deliver their best of their capabilities coupled with luck. May the best man wins!!…

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  • About

    At the height of his sporting prowess, David Isaacson could be seen every Saturday afternoon climbing the stairs to the upper gallery of Newlands. An all-round sportsman in his younger days - he was equally awful at cricket, soccer, athletics, swimming, table tennis, tennis, judo, cycling, hockey, basketball, volleyball and touch rugby - David quickly learnt that it was much easier (and far less painful) to be an armchair critic. As a journalist he has covered three Olympic Games, infuriated several sports administrators, reported on numerous other events and irritated Butana Komphela.

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