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By Conrad M. Carino, Senior Desk Editor
NOW that World Boxing Association super
featherweight champion Edwin Valero of Venezuela can fight in the
US, a match-up with World Boxing Council counterpart Manny Pacquiao
can be arranged.
Valero boasts of a perfect knockout record, of
which 19 of his 23 stoppages were in the first round. The Venezuelan
already called out Pacquiao twice, obviously piqued by the
Filipino’s previous comment that Valero’s opponents were
“tricycle drivers.”
As much as Valero deserves respect for his
unblemished record, he might not stand a chance against Pacquiao.
For the sake of curiosity, the The Manila Times
will analyze how Pacquiao stacks up against Valero in the following
categories: quality of opposition; chin/ability to take punishment;
corner/handlers; power; speed; stamina; and defensive skills/ring
generalship.
Quality of opposition: It’s a no contest as
Pacquiao has defeated better opponents like future hall-of-famers
Erik Morales (thrice) and Marco Antonio Barrera (twice). Then
there’s Pacquiao’s monumental upset over Lehlo Ledwaba.
Score: Pacquiao 100 points, Valero 85 points
Chin/ability to take punishment: What is very
clear from the second Pacquiao-Manuel Marquez fight is the Mexican
can pack a wallop while the Filipino can take one hell of a
whipping.
Valero has never encountered a gutsy and skilled
fighter like Marquez, who is willing to die to win.
Pacquiao 100 points, Valero 90 points
Corner/handlers: Freddie Roach is simply the
best trainer out there.
Pacquiao 100 points, Valero 90 points
Punching power: What may have been clearly
overlooked when comparing the punching prowess of the two fighters
is how they throw their haymakers.
Most of Valero’s killer punches are thrown
from a wide stance, and with his hands traveling a long distance.
On the other hand, Pacquiao can throw power
punches from a compact stance and some of his killer punches travel
less than a feet from its target. Examples are the punch that decked
Marquez in their second fight and the haymaker that floored Erik
Morales for the first time in their third meeting.
Pacquiao’s punching dynamics are more
efficient, since it requires not much dramatic body movement nor
energy. And throwing power punches from a compact stance can keep a
fighter more balanced, and enable him to return to a defensive
stance faster.
Very few fighters in boxing history can throw
power punches from a compact stance: Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali and
Rocky Marciano. And they were great!
Pacquiao 100 points, Valero 90 points
Speed: It looks like both are even here.
Pacquiao and Valero 100 points
Stamina: Valero has never gone the distance
while taking so much punishment unlike Pacquiao who took a lot of
beating from Marquez yet finished strong.
Pacquiao 100 points, Valero 90 points
Defensive skills/ring generalship: Valero has
been criticized for his defense which can be penetrated. On the
other hand, Pacquiao has improved much of his defense under Roach.
Pacquiao 100 points, Valero 90 points.
In the final tally, Pacquiao garners 100 points
over Valero’s 90.7.
In the analysis of The Manila Times between
Marquez and Pacquiao, the difference was only 4.14 points in favor
of the Filipino. And it was clearly stated that Marquez can use his
advantage in defensive skills and ring generalship to defeat
Pacquiao.
Well, the fight ended in a split decision,
because Marquez showed superiority in that category. What is very
clear is Valero cannot upset Pacquiao the way George Foreman
thrashed Frazier when the former won the world heavyweight title.
Maybe, a lucky punch from Valero can put down Pacquiao, but not for
good.
Valero may just be too raw for Pacquiao.
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