Pavlik and Arreola prove why Pacquiao is truly something special...

...how, you might ask? In October of '08, Pavlik - this up and coming superstar stepped into the ring to fight Bernard Hopkins. Pavlik was coming off big wins against Edison Miranda, and Jermain Taylor. Hopkins was...old, and had lost 3 of his last 5 fights. Long story short, Pavlik got thoroughly outclassed. He failed to step his game up during his "big moment". After 2 wins over mediocre competition, Pavlik once again got a chance to step his game up...prove that the Hopkins loss was behind him. But he lost. Again. Didn't step his game up, proved absolutely nothing.

Despite winning against mostly bums, Chris Arreola had a chance to make a name for himself in this mediocre heavyweight era. He had a chance to be great. To open everyone's eyes - finally! Another noteworthy American heavyweight!" Sure, Vitali was the favorite, has size advantage, and more experience, but still, during his moment to shine, Arreola failed, and failed badly. Okay, so big deal, right? He had no chance to win that fight. He should get credit just for hanging in there for as long as he did...alright. I suppose. He can work his way back up the ladder, right? Wrong. Going into a fight where he was the heavy favorite, Arreola failed to step his game up against a guy who he had every physical advantage of.

Where am I going with all of this? Check this out...say what you will about Manny Pacquiao, but the bottom line is, over the last 4 years, he has beaten everyone he should have beat, and in spectacular fashion. Pavlik losing to Hopkins would have been the equivalent of Pacquiao losing to Barerra in their 2nd fight. Pavlik losing to Martinez is equivalent to if Pacquiao would have lost to Cotto. Pavlik couldn't take advantage of his moment to shine, Pacquiao did. Arreola losing to Vitali = if Pacquiao would have lost to David Diaz...Arreola losing to Adamek is = to if Pac would have lost to Clottey.

Pacquiao has stepped it up and rose to the challenge every single time lately. Marquez, Cotto, and Clottey ALL had the potential to beat Pacquiao, but they didn't because Pacquiao handled his business - unlike Pavlik and Arreola, just to name a few. You have Victor Ortiz losing to Maidana when he shouldn't have, Jones losing to Green when he shouldn't have...I could go on, but this thread is long enough.

 

I think one of the marks of a great fighter is when he can step his game up when the time comes..."rise to the occasion", so to speak.

I used Pavlik and Arreola as an example of two fighters who had the potential to rise to the occasion, but didn't.

 

If so, if makes me wonder why you are so confused...:huh