First 4 rounds crucial for Pacquiao, analyst says

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

Analysts hope to see more from Donaire

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing analysts believe the best is yet to come for four-division former world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. who is due to collide with heavy-hitting Armenian Vic Darchinyan this weekend.

According to ESPN’s boxing analyst Kieran Mulvaney, Donaire may have lost a bit of his focus heading to the Guillermo Rigondeaux fight last April, which cost him his WBO super bantamweight crown.

“He's taken his eyes off the prize a little bit I think... he hadn't focus on the nuts and bolts of what made him successful, he had to go in whether he still wanted to do this,’ said Mulvaney in ESPN.com.

The analyst said fans will probably see a more eager, more focused Donaire against Darchinyan after the loss to Rigondeaux.

“I think we'd probably see him rededicated,” said Mulvaney, who described the Filipino Flash as a “very skillful fighter.”

“Assuming he's rededicated, i think we'd see a good couple of years of high quality boxing from Nonito Donaire.”

For his part, ESPN analyst Brian Campbell sees the Darchinyan fight as a get-well bout for Donaire, who suffered a slight dip in his career after his loss to Rigondeaux and a six-month hiatus from the fight game.

“He's coming into a rematch with Darchinyan, the guy he knocked out in their first meeting many years ago in 2007. What he's looking to do here is getting his name back out there,” said Campbell.

Although the bout is a rematch, Campbell sees Donaire wanting to prove himself again.

“For him, he's not taking [Darchinyan] lightly,” said the analyst. “He really thinks that Darchinyan coming here at age 37 is going to be motivated for the biggest fight of his life, last stand if you will to come out and get revenge against Donaire.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Analysts favor Donaire over Rigondeaux

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Several boxing analysts are expecting a “tough fight” for Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire against two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeux of Cuba for the WBO and WBA junior featherweight championship on April 13.

“Rigondeaux has a tremendous amateur pedigree. He's been a good pro, he is unbeaten, but Nonito is in a class of his own right now… he is a rare combination of speed and power. I see him actually winning this fight -- and winning in a spectacular fashion on the 13th,” said James Smith of “In this Corner.”

“If he could beat this guy and do it convincingly, it just opens more doors for him,” said Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Veteran boxing writer kevin Iole similarly cited Donaire’s speed and exceptional boxing skills in the ring.

“I like Donaire to win the fight maybe by stoppage. Rigondeaux had a great amateur career but he hasn’t been good as a pro. He is a two-time medalist but he hasn’t had the kind of pro career that Nonito Donaire has,” said Iole, veteran Yahoo! Sports boxing writer.

“I think the only person that can beat Nonito Donaire under 126 pounds is Nonito Donaire. If there is ever a fight that he is not prepared for or something else’s going on that is destructing to him that I think Donaire is vulnerable,” said Showtime television commentator Al Bernstein. “But he is the most talented fighter under 126 pounds by a lot.”

Although Rigondeaux seems to be the underdog, boxing experts said Donaire still needs to keep his guard.

The Donaire-Rigondeaux fight will take place at the Radio City Music Hall in New York and will air on ABS-CBN Sunday morning.

source: abs-cbnnews.com