* Just take a look at the picture above and then dare again to blast Joshua Clottey for that passive display against Pacquiao in March. Maybe sometimes covering up for 12 rounds and doing nothing is the best plan of action (unless you're Audley Harrison). And when you take a look at messrs Diaz, De La Hoya, Cotto and Margarito maybe it was a mercy he got Ricky out of there so quickly. Clearly not a good plan either to stay around too long.
* While Manny's speed was again a major key to Saturday night's fight, it wasn't the defining factor. That was his ability to maintain that speed and also take his power up another division. It's one thing to outspeed your opponent and box for 12 rounds, it's another to hurt them while you're doing it. Without a power threat his opponents at bigger weights would have carte blanche to walk right through him. That's not the case with Manny - again I refer you to that picture.
* Easy to say in hindsight I know, but Margarito was just made for Pacquiao stylistically. He doesn't do anything particularly quickly and is wide open to shots down the middle. Pacquiao was just too quick all night and scored at will between that Margarito guard.
* If that was Manny's worst preparation for a fight, what must his best be like? Didn't look too shabby to me. Just shows, you shouldn't believe everything you read. Clearly Manny's worst preparation = the best for most fighters out there. The ones who aren't a freak of nature.
* Difficult to see where Pacquiao goes from here. If Audley Harrison had pulled it off the other night then maybe a step up to heavyweight, alas not to be. There aren't many marquee opponents out there who Manny hasn't mashed up yet. And I firmly believe that he spoke the truth afterwards when he said he doesn't need Floyd Mayweather Jr. His astonishing body of work in the last three years takes him way beyond the need for any career-defining match.
* Sometimes controversial decisions aren't such a bad thing. Many ringside observers felt Juan Manuel Marquez deserved to win both of his outings against Pacquiao (he drew the first and lost the second by wafer-thin decision). If they hadn't gone to Pacquiao maybe there would have been no sensational rise through the weight divisions.
* Up until now I thought Mayweather/Pacquiao would happen, had to happen - purely for economic reasons if nothing else. Now I'm not too sure. With every passing Pacquiao bout 'Money' must grow ever more reluctant to step between the ropes with the Filipinio phenom.
* If the big one does eventually come off I'd long been of the opinion that 'Money' scraps and spoils his way to a decision in an ugly bout. Now I'm not so sure. I don't see any way he outworks Manny - it's not his modus operandi to extend himself or to get into a fight. Manny wins by decision now I reckon - by a landslide on Compubox and by a whisker on the scorecards.
Source: http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing
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