Pacquiao bares serious defensive lapses Sparmate sneaks in rights to Pacmans head By Recah Trinidad Inquirer Last updated 05:04am (Mla time) 09/27/2007 LOS ANGELES -- Manny Pacquiaos mission to again crush Mexicos Marco Antonio Barrera may not come trouble-free based on the result of a sparring session that saw This content is protected The 28-year-old Pacquiao, an overwhelming pick to repeat over Barrera whom he had stopped four years ago, was predictably strong and brimmed with stamina in his eight-round drill against two Mexicans fighters. But the defensive lapses were too stark to be overlooked by both fans and experts that again milled inside the Wild Card gym in Pacquiaos second workout here since arriving from his Cebu training on Saturday. Freddie Roach saw it all and, although the famous trainer did not readily manifest alarm, he promised to talk to Pacquiao about his initial apprehensions. This content is protected bared a Filipino newsman who talked to the trainer after the sparring Wednesday. This content is protected Cervantes, visibly overweight, confirmed that Pacquiao hits like a middleweight, but also suggested the RP boxing hero may not be exactly invincible. This content is protected , parent company of INQUIRER.net. Roach training deputy Eric Brown did notice the right hands that had clearly thudded on the green, sweat-swathed head gear, but explained Pacquiao could be expected to be more settled when he resumes sparring Thursday. Pacquiao had an easier time with David Rodela in the second half of sparring and even allowed the lean Mexican to openly bang his body at midring in a display of hard-earned toughness. Rodela, who was with Pacquiao in the Cebu training camp, also managed to score clear shots to the head. Well, in boxing, you could also be lucky, he said, adding Pacquiao, based on their mock encounters, has been ready as early as two weeks ago. Pacquiao did get applauded at the end of the sparring drill, but he was more delightful to watch when he worked non-stop for an hour and 21 minutes with the mitts on Monday. He hosted lunch for fans and team members at the Nats Thai restaurant after Wednesdays drill. Pacquiao motors to Las Vegas on Monday, for the final tapering portion of preparations against Barrera at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Oct. 6. Looks like trouble.
If Manny wasnt so strong for his weight class, he would have a lot of losses on his record, his defense is like swiss cheese. If Barrera can hold him off and box, he can win easily. Manny is the most overated P4P fighter, his skills arent that great.
who cares if his skills are'nt that great, as long as they gets the job done they'll suffice. the p4p list is'nt about skills anyway. when his athleticism erodes in time then yes he's vulnerable, but until then his being one dimensional does'nt matter.
with this new development, barrera's got a better chance of upsetting pac. if barrera has sharpened up his lead right cross in training camp, and he uses it come fightnight as pac is going inside, face first & wide open, pac's gonna be in real trouble. for me, the odds has suddenly changed to 2:1 in favor of pac.
