Exclusive interviews on Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao on July Ring Magazine cover

In the words of American humorist Erma Bombeck, "Don't confuse fame with success. Madonna is one; Helen Keller is the other." Certainly, by all indications newly crowned junior welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao displays characteristics of both fame as well as professional and personal success. And by personal success, we determine that to mean as, more meaningfully, successful in life. (Alternatively, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. may be a success in his profession, but whether or not he is successful in life is up for heated debate.)

During the month of May, I interviewed several renowned boxing professionals on their thoughts on Manny Pacquiao, his May 2nd decimation of Ricky Hatton, and other topics.

Nonito Donaire (flyweight champion):

On Mayweather vs. Marquez: 

"Mayweather has the weight advantage, he has the speed advantage, but Marquez has been busy and has the technical advantage over Mayweather.  But Mayweather is the bigger and faster guy.  His long lay off may affect his speed also."

"Both guys can survive each other's punches.  I think there's a big chance that it will be a decision."

On the title of the bout "Number One / Numero Uno" and on whether Mayweather or Marquez is #1 P4P: 

"At the time when Mayweather was fighting, yeah he was on top.  But now, the Man (Manny Pacquiao) is now the king of boxing.  He proved it to the world.  People can say that Marquez fought a close fight, but Manny came out on top.  Mayweather still needs to prove himself.  Manny has already proven himself.  He is the pound for pound best fighter in the world.

Flyweight champion Nonito Donaire

On his future plans and goals: 

"For my last fight, I learned to train really, really hard.  Fights like these (May 2nd fight) really motivate me, especially these Mayweather vs. Marquez and Pacquiao vs. Hatton fights.  I'm just motivated to be in the same arena as them, I want to train really hard again . . . . Right now, I'm on a high to be with these guys - to be at that level."

Steve Kim (MaxBoxing Reporter):

On the Pacquiao Hatton fight: 

"I thought it was going to be a 7th or 8th round knockout.  I thought the Lazcano fight was very telling on Hatton's ability to take a punch . . . . Manny is devastating, he is the best fighter in the world pound for pound.  His boxing acumen and his boxing IQ has risen exponentially.  It's uncanny, being at the gym, since the David Diaz fight . . . everything Manny and Freddie work on, they execute.  I think right now, Manny Pacquiao is at the height of his powers.  He's becoming a legendary fighter.  My gut impression is that Manny Pacquiao, as long as he works hard, has got some historic, historic things to do in the next 3 to 4 years if he chooses to fight.  He's a special fighter.  At one point, he was a great, but flawed, fighter.  Now I think he's a complete prize fighter.  He's a fighting machine, there's no doubt about it."

Renowned boxing historian Bert Sugar

Bert Sugar (boxing historian):

On whether egoistic or humble demeanor would have changed fight approach: 

"Manny is Manny.  How am I going to give him a makeover?  When he fought Agapito Sanchez, he (Manny) was almost apologetic for getting fouled.  How are you going to change that?"

How do things change given certain attitudes?: 

"Some work one way, and some work the other.  (Muhammad) Ali was an egoistic fighter but his outbursts were aimed at trying to psychologically get under the skin of his opponent.  Sugar Ray Leonard was the same way.  Joe Louis was humble."

On his thoughts on Pacquiao Hatton: 

"I don't think I'm alone in this, I'm shocked.  This was awesome.  Amazed.  Shocked.  You pick the word.  I don't even think the biggest Pacquiao fans, and I was just interviewed by Philippine television, expected that . . . . The precision and the power, that was something that we didn't expect."

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