MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao's fate will depend on how he behaves in the first 4 rounds of his comeback fight against a raw but young Brandon Rios, according to local boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino.
Tolentino believes that Pacquiao's knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez might affect the Filipino boxer and he could unravel in the opening rounds of the Rios fight.
"[Baka] may problem pa sa kanyang kumpyansa si Manny Pacquiao, kasi hesistant pa iyan especially after coming off a knockout loss so he will be groping for form. Maaring maging hesistant siyang bumitaw," he said in an interview on dzMM.
He added that the 27-year-old Rios is expected to have better stamina compared to the 34-year-old Pacquiao.
This could make a big difference for the bigger Mexican-American.
"Remember, malaking mama itong si Rios. He can accommodate the extra weight. He can bully Pacquiao and throw punches to remind him na 'heto, tatamaan ka na naman,'" said Tolentino.
But things will turn to Pacquiao's favor as the fight goes on. All the fighting congressman has to do is establish his confidence in the first 4 rounds, said Tolentino.
"Once Pacquiao survives the first 3 to 4 rounds, palagay ko may paglalagyan na itong si Bam Bam Rios.”
Tolentino said Rios is tailor-fit for someone like Pacquiao.
“Ayaw niya ng counter-puncher like Marquez. Ayaw niyang siya pa ang mag-iinitiate... gusto niya, iyung pumapasok like Ricky Hatton kasi he can sidestep like a matador handling a bull,” he said.
Meanwhile, boxing commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz believes Rios is out of Pacquiao’s league.
Nathanielsz said the Filipino superstar has already fought quality opponents, something that the Mexican-American lacks in his 33-fight resume.
“If you look at it honestly, Rios is not in the same caliber as Manny Pacquiao,” Nathanielsz said in an interview on ANC Top Story.
“If you look at the people Rios fought, Rios won the lightweight title from [Miguel] Acosta, he fought Richard Abril of Cuba… the decision was overturned because it was a bum decision. He lost to Mike Alvarado, he has not fought any quality fighter.”
In comparison, Pacquiao fought Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto.
“[These are] top-class fighters,” said Nathanielsz.
However, the analyst said Pacquiao will need to beat Rios and beat him decisively to extend his storied career.
“If he loses badly that could signal the end of his career. If he wins or loses a controversial decision that could mean so much.”
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
