With each tick of the biological clock, Manny Pacquiao’s boxing career draws one second closer to an end.
In recent years, Freddie Roach always seems to think Pacquiao’s next fight might be his last.
Manny’s mother, Dionisia, said before Saturday night’s fight, that she expected it to be her son’s final bout.
Whenever Pacquiao does call it quits, I imagine it will be abrupt. I imagine him going out on top.
Fortunately for the sport, Pacman says he’s got “two to three” more fight’s left in his dynamite fists.
After disfiguring notorious Mexican, Antonio Margarito, Pacquiao told the media that he still has business to tend to within the ropes.
Roach added to that sentiment, telling AOL’s Fanhouse, that for the rest of Pacquiao’s career, he will not fight below 147 lbs.
With that said, we could seemingly rule out a Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy — seeing how much trouble Marquez had moving up in weight when he faced Floyd Mayweather.
The elusive fight with Mayweather still remains an option for 2011, but Money May apparently would rather tussle with his girlfriend, security guards, or Johnny Law instead of getting in the ring with the Filipino Congressman.
If any of the standouts at junior welterweight moved up to challenge Pacquiao, he’d win with ease. Although, Gary Shaw insists once Tim Bradley downs Devon Alexander in January (which by no means is a foregone conclusion), he’ll be ready to take on Pacquiao. I think otherwise.
Two possible fights for Pacquiao to take next would be a bout against the winner of the rematch between Sergio Martinez and Paul Williams, which takes place this Saturday in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Both men would be present Pacquiao with an overwhelming size disadvantage. Further, they both possess lightning quick hands and thunderous power.
Perhaps it is a fight with Paul Williams that would finally be the fight where Pacquiao bites off more than he can chew. But in order for this fantasy to have a chance at becoming reality, Williams will need to successfully navigate past the crafty Argentinian on Saturday night.
Williams has insisted for the past two and a half years that he can make 147 lbs. whenever he needs to, but hasn’t weighed in for a fight less than 153 lbs. since November of 2008.
If the opportunity presents itself, the man who many consider the number three pound-for-pound boxer in the world, would have to put his money where his mouth is and come down in weight for a shot to knock off boxing’s best.
But unfortunately — besides a fight with Mayweather — the most money probably lies in a Sugar Shane Mosley vs. Pacquiao bout — a fight in which Pacman would surely disassemble the heavy-handed veteran.
The most important thing for fight fans, however, is that we recognize that no good thing lasts forever.
When Pacquiao relinquishes his post as boxing’s best, the torch he carried will not be passed down; there is no heir apparent.
It is for that reason that we should look past the fact that Pacquiao-Mayweather may never come to fruition. Whether you think Pacman’s relentless volume punching would overwhelm the defensive-minded Mayweather, or that Money May’s counterpunching would carry the day, let’s just enjoy what’s left of Pacquiao’s career before it’s over.
Let’s be grateful for the buzz Pacquiao creates around our sport every time he fights. And let’s marvel at the fact that a 5’6” man from Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines has steamrolled his way to a record setting eight divisional titles.
Savor the moment while it lasts; I highly doubt there will ever be another eight division champion. And one thing is for sure: there will never be another Manny Pacquiao.
Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank
