Jackson works on his fighter Allan Green (Photo: Chris Robinson)
Sometimes in life it takes people a little while to win you over.
Such was the case with world class trainer and former two time champion John David Jackson concerning Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao. When Pacquiao was in the lower weights Jackson concedes that he didn’t think as highly of the multi-division champion and questioned his selection of opponents over the years.
In a Boxing Scene interview with Brett Matteo Alderson from April of this year, the low key trainer questioned whether or not Pacquiao had avoided certain challenges throughout his career, specifically against African American fighters in particular.
“Pacquiao never fights black fighters," Jackson would go on to state. "Name one good black fighter he's fought in the last five years. He's avoided them like the plague. If you’re pound for pound the best fighter in the world, fight everybody. You can’t be selective; you have to fight the best.”
Those comments set of a wildfire amongst Pacquiao’s most ardent supporters, who questioned why Jackson was bringing race into the equation. Pacquiao’s faithful also noted that there simply weren’t that many high caliber fighters to pick and choose from for Pacquiao, who was busy fighting the world’s best such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Juan Manuel Marquez.
I asked Jackson about those comments weeks after the fact and the modest trainer simply pointed out that he was saying what he felt at the time. He noted that he had nothing personally against Pacquiao. It was obvious at the time that Jackson desired a Pacquiao fight for his fighter at the time, Nate Campbell, and perhaps it was easy for him to get caught up in the moment.
Fast forward roughly a half a year later and Jackson admits that he has a newfound respect for Manny Pacquiao. After devastating stoppages over Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, Jackson clearly feels we are witnessing the world’s pound for pound best fighter. Jackson was at the UIC Pavilion Saturday night in Chicago, Illinois, guiding his charge Randall Bailey to another victory and I asked him what his thoughts were on a possible Pacquiao showdown with Floyd Mayweather.
“I think it’s a great fight for boxing,” Jackson affirmed. “It definitely needs to happen. It’s a 50/50 fight. Both guys have leverage in the fight. Even though Floyd just returned he has a lot of fans and they both deserve the same amount of money. Neither fighter is bigger than the other. They are both good and it’s a fight that boxing needs. Whatever egos they have they need to put to the side and make the fight happen.”
Jackson was then posed with the question of what advantages Pacquiao would bring into the ring with him. Jackson feels that Mayweather’s layoff may end up hurting him against a fighter like Pacquiao, who has been performing at a high level as of late.
“Pacquiao has been a lot more active lately,” Jackson noted. “He’s a strong kid. I didn’t really pay as much attention to him early in his career but I’ve watched him lately and I have to give him credit, he’s pound for pound the best. He deserves it. He may have beaten some guys recently who were on their way down but that’s not his fault.”
Jackson went on to state that at the end of the day you can’t argue with what Pacquiao has accomplished because he has found a way to defeat all of his recent opponents in some form or another.
“Whoever they put in front of him he has beat and until Mayweather or somebody beats him I have to give him his just dues. He’s done what he’s supposed to do and I can’t argue with that.”
Aside from all of the Pacquiao-Mayweather talk Jackson also spoke of his stable of fighters at Contender’s gym down in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On this night Bailey would go to win a dominant decision over Germaine Sanders, scoring three knockdowns along the way, and Jackson noted that he was gearing up for 2010.
Rumors are going around about one of Jackson’s prized fighters, Campbell, possibly locking horns with dangerous punching Kendall Holt in an IBF Jr. Welterweight eliminator. Jackson welcomes the fight but confirms nothing would come easy against the Patterson, NJ native.
“It’s a tough fight. It’s a winnable fight for Nate but you can’t take Kendall Holt lightly. He truly has shortcomings but he is dangerous for anybody.”
In closing Jackson noted that he has been talking to one of his other key charges, Super Middleweight contender Allan Green, almost daily in hopes of getting him a fight.
“Allan and I are still talking and trying to work things out. We’re looking for a fight for him soon.”
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at Trimond@aol.com, www.FaceBook.com/CRHarmony, and www.Twitter.com/CRHarmony. More of his work can be found HERE.
Comments
because black fighters had natural body odor...
Who were the best black fighters when Manny was fighting Morales, Barrera, and Marquez? The answer is none, so that's why he did not fight any. He would have knocked them out anyway, so stop with this BS, got anything else to write about?
he(jackson), finally learned that "respect" and "Pacquiao" goes together!!!
BLACK FIGHTERS ARE THE BEST FIGHTERS...LETS SEE THE TOP 10 BOXERS OF ALL TIME...THIS WILL DETERMINE WHO'S THE BEST..I MADE MY POINT!
This unlearned comment that the Pacman had fought many fighters who may be on their way down are unfounded. He snatched the championship belts from the following - Marquez (the then 130-lb division champion)...Diaz(the then 135-lb division champion...Hatton (the then 140-lb division champion)...and recently Cotto (147-lb division champion). Except for ODLH, his recent victories were championship fights. Do they mean to say that all these division champions were on the decline? If so, what kind of sports is this? Do we award belts to mere patsies? Friends and all lovers of the sport...think again. Let us give honor where honor is due.
Jackson slow down by this time, good for him to realized how Pacquiao achieved for what he is now.
the closest answer to why Pacquiao never faced black american fighter is because during his early years there arent any black american fighters who has got popularity and titles, unlike fighters from mexico.
let face the truth manny pacman is the best!!!!!!
Mayweather is gonna smoke him, he just 2 damn good!!! Take that to the bank, believe it!!!
Jackson who? there was no good black fighter for pacman to fight. I dont think hes even gonna waste his time with your B class fighter green.
HEY, If there's gonna be an OLYMPIC kind of DRUG TESTING TO both fighters (PBF and PACMAN) i suggest to test also the ROOT of all heresays.. and the possibly brain damaged due to DOPES.. Mayweather Sr.! and if he is tested positive, maybe he has done it long ago through out his CAREER!-- Hence, all his wins should be turned to TKO instead! and be penalized to inject him more DOPES 'till his brain shrunks totally to a size of a bean which is most probably now is on a size of a walnut!.. LOL
HAHA, funny! There were no "black fighters" available! Name a top fighter that was in the division in which Manny was fighting in the last five years! Can't say anything now, he's fighting Mayweather too!
that was then bob.... that WAS then.....better check yourself bob..
IT REALLY SHOWED THAT THESE BLACK GUYS ARE REALLY PACHATERS.. SAME FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER.. ARROGANT DISCRIMANTING BRAINLESS MANIACS! CHECK YOUR ROOTS BUDDY! ALL YOU KNOW IS TO ENVY WHAT PACMAN HAS ACHIEVED SO FAR.. JUST CONVINCE YOUR MONGOFLOYD TO FIGHT PACMAN WHEREVER, SO YOU'LL KNOW... NO MORE EXCUSES! SCUMBAGS! THE WRATH OF GOD IS ON YOUR WAY, WATCH OUT!
Lehlohonolo Benedict Ledwaba (born July 27, 1971 in Soweto, South Africa) is a professional boxer. Known as "Hands of Stone", Ledwaba was a champion in the super bantamweight division.
Ledwaba ia an african...pacman KO him...
What ethnicity was Ledwaba? Ledwaba was a champion when Pacquiao KOed him. Pacquiao took that fight on only 2 weeks notice. Don't give me any garbage about how Pacquiao is avoiding African American fighters. Pacquiao's fighting Mayweather now, isn't he? Beforehand, Pacquiao didn't fight many African American fighters other than Ledwaba because there are no good, money generating African American fighters in the lower weight classes. PERIOD. Plus, as Freddie Roach said, Nate Campbell is a bum who can't bring in money fights, so what's the point in fighting Campbell?
stupid article from an imbecile writer LOL Manny already agreed to fight they are only waiting for chicken Floyd reply which sadly until now is so freaking quiet!
Hey, Barerra, Morales, marquez, diaz, you name him, including Pacquiao, is black in the eyes of america. what black is Jackson talking about? He is american and should know this.
With Manny's physical strength and skills that was improved so much. I think Manny would walk through Mayweather's defences.
Just think that Cotto has the strongest punch power and Manny just eat them all. Mayweather only has the average.
pacquiao is fearless,a real fighter like what most asians are,We know that those comments were made in order to at least have a fight with the most popular boxer in the world,in short and in obvious reason,they want a better and bigger paycheck,this is boxing and boxing is a business,another thing,pacquiao already signed the contract,so stop talking about "EGO",in fact manny pacquiao is more than willing to accept all the conditions,advantages or disadvantages in his part in order for him to turn wayweather's skin to white with his flurry of punches,and to the writer,pls. try to read other writer's article so that you will be up dated to what is happening in the boxing world,pls. gives us the latest news and stop writing a nonsense ,useless article like this!!
Jackson owned up to it, let's move on.
Aside from the Olympic drug testing, why don't they request all police and prison records to see how many times the Mayweathers been in and out of prison. Freakin family is made up of Drug dealers, attempted murderers, and Floyd shooting at kids in the roller skating rink, big bro Roger wants to go back in the slammer again, trying to choke a woman.
GAYWEATHER needs to swallow the seman in his mouth and stop wasting time. MP is waiting on him.
Campbell the quiter?
Truth be told. Mayweather likes to fight running backwards (away) from his opponents, wearing them down with his no combo lame punches in later rounds. Watch his fights, totally not gonna work with pacmans speed and effectiveness with his south paw style and both left and right hands used ambidextrously.
Ha! I agree. Mayweather is more like an Olympic runner wearing his opponents down by dancin around and holding. Pacquiao all the way!!! Toe to toe. Since you pulled the race card, pacmans has knockout ledwaba, it's actually mayweather who has never fought a Filipino
It's a shame why black fighters are in the ring. They talk alot of smack like they are going to kill their opponent in the ring. But once in there, they run like hell. Did you see the Klitsco fight last night with the black American fighter. WEAK!!The American talking crap after the bell rings than doesn't fight once the fight starts. That's Black fighter for you. Typical, Ni##ahs!!
name top black fighters in manny's division in the last 5 years? nate campbell, timothy bradley just to name afew (all champions at junior welter). There's shane mosley who was free to fight b4 cotto and had called manny out. I have nothing against manny but he seems to like to fight boxers who can't punch and move at the same time like the typical top african american fighter. We shall see what happens with mayweather. Ledwaba is not african american
There was also raheem tahir (african american) who beat morales (and took the title)just b4 manny fought morales yet manny never challenged raheem. If you watch the fight btw raheem and morales you will hear the commentators urging manny not to fight raheem (at the end of the fight). I guess manny always paid attention to good advice lol
Ledwaba was a super bantam and he was in his prime and South africas best P4P boxer, he was fast and had Very good KO power he was SA best boxer.Manny Ko him and took the fight on 2 weeks notice.
Pacman never avoided or afraid of any boxer they put infront of him. It just happen that black fighters these days are below his caliber.. even gaywheather he will just back pedal and run through out the fight...
It would be very unfortunate for a Pound for pound king,like pacquiao, to fight a less rated Black boxer from america. The only black which is good to fight for universal honor, is Muhammad Ali, but he has parkinson disease, beside being a Heavy weight.Mayweather Jr, is not a worldly figure, his name is only dispersed randomly in some states of america, like michigan. Nobody knows him in Europe, not even africa a black continent. The more in australia, which white dominated. If he will not indulge on trash talks, he is nobody, and it is this characteristic, which Pacquiao wanted to fight so that it will be a good lesson to all black kids that trash talking is a bad habit. This is a good lesson for blacks to clean their mouth of obscenes languages. I know Mayweather will eat the dust maybe in the seventh round. Surely, I can see it.
Never I heard,even once that Pacman is ducking somebody.It is just a product of your hallucination when in fact right now this Afro American named Mayweather is the one who's doing everyrhing they can to avoid colliding with the Pacman.No more talk just sign the contract Pussies!
"Never fight a black fighters" and what is Ledwaba, chinese? He is indeed black from South Africa. So what is Jackson talking about? Ignorance is coming out from John David Jackson mind. Pacquiao had to fight most latinos because all good boxers in his division were mexicans. There is nothing wrong for rooting your own kind or your own race, that´s natural. But no need to discredit Pacquiao achievement just to make some argument, although he knows it´s not justified. If he loves Mayweather that much, at least be a man to admit it.
What ego of the pacman are you talking about? Are you reading any kind of article lately? Pacman want the fight so badly and he already sign the contract according to coach roach. You better tell that to gayweather before he run out of excuses!
JDJACKSON credit pacquiaos' greatness being P4P best but, still having doubt for himself.. What a joke!
I wish they would all stop making these issues racially motivated. Many lower weight class fighters come from the Latin countries and to be honest third world countries and the best ones are usually in those countries. Pacquiao doesn't set up his own fights but his trainers and promoters. Never race is an issue. When he fought Ledwaba, he was notified of the fight in short notice and dominated the champ. Manny can't fight everybody. Lets face it, back then nobody took Manny seriously, he flew under the radar. Until he started to dismantle the top level fighters that people took notice. Eventually when Manny started to destroy big name fighters, then Manny was in radar. He was going after title belts while going up in weight. Lets put race issues aside and enjoy witnessing one of the greatest of all time fighting in our time. PBF vs Manny will be part of boxing lore and history, we are so privileged. Don't ruin it by making race issues.
Don't mind him guys, He is just looking for some attention.
It's not the fighters...it's the promoters. Idiot!
Jackson, as he said, never pay attention to Pacquiao's early fights. No wonder why he didn't know that Pacquiao's first astonishing accomplishment in the USA was against a REAL BLACK CHAMPION, whom he fought over a two week notice only. His name is Ledholo Ledwaba. To say that Pacquiao never fought great black fighters is ridiculous because Pacquiao would fight anybody in the ring. Are you kidding me?
Falma. You're going to call Campbell a quitter because the scumbag Born Again Hypocrite Timothy Bradley and the corrupt referee expect to get away with dirty tactics and fouling to achieve a victory. That "Campbell is quitter" nonsense is the mantra of idiots that don't know how to think for themselves.
Pacquiao is not the P4P best in boxing. Until someone beats Floyd Mayweather Jr. no one other than him can claim to be the P4P king. Period.
Ego? You mean Pac is having same of those if not more than maywither? I'm not a true-blooded fan(atic!) about Pacman, but can anybody prove from his out-of-the-mouth remarks that really "prove" he has an ego, if any? Maybe i can truly say i got all my infos from the internet, supposed to be the most advanced-uptodate info available this digital age, but really, really, please show me an article, video or comments of Pac's ego. As I recalled, all he can muster in his limited-English vocabs is to counter all others have to say about him! Think about it, where's the ego in that? The purse split, you'd say? Hey its bargain time, is he not in the rightful position to do so, yet he's more than willing agreed weeks before Arum met him in Manila with his Master Roach's suggestions to make the fight happen: 50-50. But I'm sure the whole world have seen youtube statements from maywithers in espn (ask Brian):..this fight will not happen because he knows I draw the numbers, I'm the cashcow..(see?)
Chris, have you got your facts right? Or as USUAL..... being homeboy American, its safe to stay on the fence, eh? It must be hard to eek a living, tsk, tsk, tsk.....
hey jackson! manny never fought blacks except ledwaba,because mexicans were far better than them,and manny loves to fight d'best.besides most black fighters are boring,means less PPV.
you guys just simply cannot accept nor admit the fact that a single asian a filipino midget you called,surpasses your boxing greats,and made another boxing history out from his humble beginning.all i can say; pachaters eat your hearts out! thats the fact! and you can't do anything about it anymore! again..THAT THE FACT! do i have to say more?
Like Everyone's know only Gayweather has an ego. He's ducking elite fighters on his welterweight divisions before (you know what I mean) Manny is going to whoop his ##s and his big mouth lip and John David Jackson You're nothing, just looking for attention. Freddie is way better than you.
Hey Tom, ur right Ledwaba is not african american..hes african and most of all hes BLACK.yeah.. ur right pacman not fighting black not on his caliber...mexican or latino can do.afterall cotto bit up mosley.pacman is just only a asian fighter just all..cant lived with it.hey, its the promoters dealling the fight not the fighter.all i cant say is you can eat yuor hearts out Tom..March 14, pacman shall win..period!
paquiao will k.o mayweather in 6 rounds, that's for sure.
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