Pac’s Decline-A Total Myth

Pac’s Decline-A Total Myth

There’s been a lot of talk here based on Pac’s last 2 fights that we are starting to witness Pac’s decline. Some would even say that it started to show in his 8th round ko of Solis. He looked lethargic against Solis and critics say he took too long to KO Solis. Against MAB even some of the most ardent MAB supporters didn’t believe he would see the 12th round. He did thus the influx of Pac criticism.To many, the close JMM rematch was proof positive that Pac indeed was declining evidenced by JMM’s strong technical performance. In all actuality even if this could be slightly true(that Pac is in decline), what it’s based on is what makes it a total myth. I for one believe that overall he is in the midst of his prime boxing years. Detractors will always find a way to discredit anyone who’s on top.

Now let me explain….

Against Solis it is for all intensive purposes a tune-up, a tune-up who happened to be undefeated with over 30 fights under his belt. Yet somehow an 8th round ko was enough for questions to start materializing. The truth is following Pac’s 3 round blowout of Morales, nothing less than a 1st round ko would’ve been a disappointment to most. Also it’s worth mentioning that Pac was in the midst of a Senate race and that MAYBE just MAYBE he was already looking past Solis. Despite that he did knock him out.

Now against MAB. This one’s quite simple. No one gave MAB a chance. In fact everyone expected Pac to KO MAB. This was just a case of everyone’s expectations being raised too high. MAB is a future HOF’er. I’ve always thought that all this talk about him getting KO’ed is ridiculous based on the fact that they already had fought before and based on how MAB did in prior rematches with Junior Jones and EM. MAB made adjustments and fought not to get knocked out. If you know anything about Pac, all his ko’s comes when it’s a toe-to-toe battle. He didn’t get it. Despite all that, he still won a whitewash in the scorecards. Yet somehow people still question that win and even more questions about Pac declining.

Now JMM, some would say that Pac should’ve lost. It was that close a fight with neither fighter dominating each other. With that said the reason why a Pac-JMM fight will always be close no matter how many times they fight is that Pac will always be in a stylistic disadvantage. This term gets thrown out a lot but let me explain why with a hypothetical situation. If JMM was fighting a version of himself, where both fighters was just waiting on each other to make a move, then neither of them would look good. A defensive counterpuncher needs a foil and what’s a better foil than someone like Pac who comes in with relentless pressure and throws punches in bunches. This is JMM’s advantage; what he does best is amplified when he fights Pac. JMM looked at his counterpunching best when he fought Pac. However, that counterpunching should’ve systematically broken down Pac and broken down his will. It did not. In fact Pac kept on pressuring and also looked good himself doing it. Despite this stylistic disadvantage Pac still fought the same way he always fought---coming forward….and oh yeh, did I mention that JMM was a top5 p4per??

So no I don’t think Pac is in decline. I think most have this images of Pac when he was just overwhelming opponents who stood up to him. Well the secret is out and no one in their right mind will stand toe-to-toe with Pac (except Morales coz he has balls of steel). It’s only in those kinds of fights that Pac looks his unbeatable best(ie stylistic advantage). Pac is a fighter and he looks his best when he fights other "fighters". But alas, what we’ve seen in the last 2 Pac fights is MAB and JMM. So how anyone expected Pac to blow these guys out is beyond me. If you want to see Pac at his best, let him fight Valero, let him fight Juan Diaz...andyes let him fight Hatton, guys who don't back down. Then that's when the extremist Pac fans will say, "wow Pac can fight middleweight if he wants to."


I have a feeling though against David Diaz, we’re gonna get another glimpse to what Larry Merchant has described as a “typhoon across the Pacific”.

 

Thanks Im new here and i want a good read on who's the Pac supporters around here (objective ones) coz it seems to me there's too many here diminishing Pac's accomplishments and ability and not enough givin him his due. It seems that way at least.

 

It was a 50-50 fight for me but I was not one of those who thought Marquez was a superior talent. I thought he was the superior boxer and had the perfect style to beat Pac. In fact I would have to say Pac would be the superior talent, at least in the physical department. Whereas JMM being by far the more polished fighter (not to take anything away from Pac's technical skills). I just think JMM is pure textbook and because of that had a legitimate chance to win and has every cause to demand a 3rd fight. And hopefully, it will happen within the next year or so.

 

I think against Hatton both of them could look good. Depends on who imposes their offense. Hatton's natural size could be the key and he may be able to withstand Pac's punches enough to inflict his own pain on Pac. If Hatton can tire and fluster Pac with his size and roughhouse style, and withstand enough of Pac's own firepower then I definitely favor him with Pac having his moments. However I think Pac's in and out style and quick feet lends itself to faring better against Hatton's style then other fighters. This is an interesting matchup. After a JMM rematch, this is one I'd luv to see....maybe even travel to Manchester or Manila for it.