Toned-down Pacquiao form still to deal with in the ring

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
HE may no longer be the Manny Pacquiao of old that bamboozled all comers but the Filipino boxing superstar at 40 years of age still carries a punch and someone to deal with in the ring.
Such is how local combat sports analyst Nissi Icasiano is viewing the eight-division champion Pacquiao following another impressive performance on Sunday against American Adrien Broner to retain his World Boxing Association welterweight title.
“For a 40-year-old boxer who is way past his prime to triumph over a boxer who is 11 years his junior and in good physical condition, you will be a complete hater if you weren’t impressed. Yes, it’s toned-down version of the old Manny Pacquiao that on numerous occasions put us at the edge of our seats. But it’s safe to say that this 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao is a grizzled veteran who will give the young lions and up-and-comers a decent spanking before they earn their stripe,” Mr. Icasiano said in an online correspondence with BusinessWorld following Mr. Pacquiao’s unanimous decision victory over Mr. Broner in their headlining fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“There were some rounds in the fight that reaffirmed his age, especially in stringing together combinations or reacting to an opening. It’s normal because it’s not the prime Manny Pacquiao,” the analyst said.
Against Mr. Broner, “Pacman” was dominant right from the start with solid and steady jabs, proving himself too much to handle for “The Problem” en route to the convincing UD victory, 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112.
Mr. Pacquiao (61-7-2) sizzled in the seventh and ninth rounds, in particular, where he connected jabs and combinations that hurt Mr. Broner, 29, and had him on the ropes.
The latter though managed to survive both times by holding on to the Filipino champion.
In the championship rounds, Mr. Pacquiao tried to go for the finish but Mr. Broner would be reluctant to engage and was seemingly content on just surviving the contest, forcing Mr. Pacquiao to just pick his openings and settle for the unanimous decision win.
The victory was in follow-up to Mr. Pacquiao’s technical knockout win over erstwhile WBA champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina in July.
Mr. Icasiano said that while the fights were different, there is still no denying that Mr. Pacquiao, also a sitting senator of the republic, was downright impressive.
“We shouldn’t compare his performance in his fight with Lucas Matthysse to his victory over Adrien Broner. Broner and Matthysse are completely different boxers. But winning at least nine rounds against a counterpuncher, which is no secret, a style that Manny had difficulties handling in the past, is quite impressive,” the analyst said.
Following his victory over Mr. Broner, focus immediately shifted to a possible rematch between Mr. Pacquiao and undefeated world champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Mr. Icasiano said he is not necessarily high on having a rematch between the two boxing legends but something he thinks is highly possible to happen.
“The rematch against Floyd Mayweather doesn’t need to happen, but by the looks of it, I think it could. Rumors say that it will happen in July. Manny is looking for another good payday. For Floyd, as long as it has astonishing numbers, he is up for it. I don’t see any obstacle that can hinder them from ironing out a deal since both men are now in the watchful eyes of Al Haymon,” said Mr. Icasiano, referring to longtime Mayweather adviser Haymon, who recently signed Mr. Pacquiao.