Pacquiao’s Amazing Run…Once In a Lifetime or Performance Enhanced?
November 19th, 2009
By Joel Nepomuceno: In light of Saturday night’s total annihilation of Miguel Cotto, Pacquiao laid claim to being the only boxer to have seven titles in seven divisions. The past few days as the high of his dominance comes to a calm, skeptics naturally question if Manny Pacquiao really is a once in a lifetime talent or is he getting assistance with some sort of performance enhancing drugs. Floyd Mayweather Sr. will tell anyone who listens that he’s very suspicious of Pacquiao’s dominance. Mayweather Jr., when asked about Pacquiao claims they have the best performance enhancing drugs in the Philippines (a country with a 40% poverty rate). Are these accusations valid or are the sources looking for ways to discredit Pacquiao’s recent run at history?
It’s not wrong to question his success as he climbs in weight, but let’s look at the facts…is what he’s doing really unbelievable or is he really that talented? Forget the fact that Pacquiao started his career off at 106lbs at the age of 16. Let’s compare him to another well known fighter who has 6 titles in 6 divisions, Oscar De La Hoya. When Oscar De La Hoya started his career at 19, he fought at lightweight (133lbs to be exact). At his highest weight, he weighed 160lbs against Felix Sturm. That’s a difference of 27lbs from the age of 19 to the age of 31. Pacquiao, at the age of 19 fought at 116lbs and then fought at 144 lbs at the age of 30—a difference of 28lbs. Is there foul play at work or is there actually talent that doesn’t come along too often that we are witnessing?
Look at it in another way. Most boxers dehydrate themselves to make their fighting weight. Why? Because they want to weigh in as light as possible in order to fight int he lowest weight class possible. It’s not atypical for a boxer to gain 12-15lbs from weigh in to fight night. Pacquiao, at the higher weight classes (Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight) has gained only 4lbs from weigh in to fight night. His fighting weight at the Cotto fight was presumably 149. If he wanted to be fight at a lower weight division, he could technically have fought at Lightweight, gained 12-15lbs from weigh in to fight night, and still be at 149 come fight night. Everyone saw 24/7 when Cotto was cranky because he hadn’t eaten, while Pacquiao consumes 7,000 calories during training to stay at that weight.
What about his punching power you may ask? Pacquiao has always been known for his punching power. Even his days at featherweight, he was thought of the hardest puncher, pound for pound. But how has he carried his power to knock out supposedly bigger guys? Has he really carried his power to an unbelievable degree? On one hand, David Diaz stated, “I can handle his power, but I can’t handle his speed”. Oscar De La Hoya said “He doesn’t hit very hard”. But the other hand, he knocked out Hatton cold, and he hurt Cotto badly in the 4th round. But did he gain that much more power from his fights with Oscar De La Hoya to his fight with Hatton? All boxing experts know, and most boxing fans know that it’s the punch you DON’T see coming that hurts you. Hatton has stated, he still doesn’t know how he got knocked out because he didnt’ see the punch. The punch that rocked Cotto, he had no idea where it came from, just look at the replay. Both picture perfect punches to the chin which is the ideal place to hit someone to knock them out.
So has Pacquiao had illegal help in the form of performance enhancing drugs during his amazing run up the weight divisions? Non believers and skeptics such as the Mayweather clan can continue to accuse of such things, but I prefer to just enjoy the once-in-a-generation entertainer we have in Manny Pacquiao without skepticism or judgment. If, in the future there becomes a foundation and substantial evidence to support the accusation of Pacquiao using sort of performance enhancing drug to get the edge, then I’ll be the first to admit that it really is time to be skeptic, not just Pacquiao, but of all athletes that achieve greatness that is not too often seen.
To Mayweather Sr. who doesn’t believe Pac is doing this naturally because he took the shot of a big welterweight and just shook it off, my question for him is, how do we know that Floyd Mayweather Jr. isn’t on PED’s?….the last time he took a shot from a big welterweight….well…when was the last time he took the shot of a big welterweight?
Tags: 49 Responses to “Pacquiao’s Amazing Run…Once In a Lifetime or Performance Enhanced?”
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for those pac haters, get yourself something to whine on. it doesn’t matter what pac did and you haters never get any satisfactions. i guess you all bunch of cry babies, grow-up and look at the reality. you should savor every things that manny does coz it only comes once in a lifetime, and when he’s done boxing, the boxing will no longer exist.
hey fact, believe me im a Filipino. Almost 8/10 Filipinos do not even know what a steroid is o what PEDs are.
Yes, Pacquiao was and is using PEDs whenever he is in training because he needs to be tough in the ring and I think every fighter should use them too to level the playing field.Those are the thai stick they whip his body with and and sand filled balls he lifts and keep busting. Performance enhancing devices.
if you read the uk boxing news 60 second interviwe when asked what supplements he takes he says he owns a pharmacists in the philippines and doesnt say what he take so you never know(probably a mountain out of a mole hill but still)
Pacman’s supplements comes from white rice, tinola, bulalo with some crispy pata. you should all try to eat filipino dishes sometimes, it does make you punch harder
John Ladder – one last thing…Jones was not suspended because at the time, in 2000, “andro” was not a banned substance and it was ONLY banned by the World Doping Agency in 2004. The same reason why numerous baseball players who tested positive for PED’s the early part of the decade were not disciplined because the substances used were not banned and not against the sport’s governing body’s policy. Also, don’t accuse me of “judging Pacquiao” as the article was to defend him…did you not read this article before you went on your rant? Next time, comment on what was written, not what you THINK I was trying to say.
John Ladder – Also note that Andro is no longer available over the counter and a prescription is neccessary to obtain it. It is now a controlled substance making it a federal offense to possess the banned substance without a prescription. Regardless of whether or not this was illegal in 2000, it is still considered a PED and this is what Jones tested positive for. You should do YOUR research before you go off on an idiotic rant.
John Ladder – Also – PED’s are PED’s regardless of whether it’s legal or not. Yes, some are contained in milk shakes, weight loss supplements and other over the counter supplements. What you are referring to are “banned substances” which are drugs that the sports sanctioning bodies deem illegal. Certain drugs and supplements become “banned substances” once they’re deemed illegal. I did not note RJJ’s opponent, because frankly, Richard Hall is not a notable athlete.
John Ladder – I should be held accountable for what? All I mentioned about Roy Jones is that he tested positive for PED’s…which he did in 2000. He tested positive for Androtenedione also known as “Andro”. Regardless if he was discplined or not, he DID test positive. That is ALL that was said in the article.
@truwelter
You IDIOT better shut ur BIG MOUTH….u dont know anything about boxing….ur just a f*cking loser comes from the f*cking morons family…..
Pacman unusual drug is Balot, balot.
If they say that Pacman is using something unusual drug. it is a sign that the acknowledge the power of pacman beyond what they could think .
boxing is a dying sport and it’s only becoming popular again because of this generation’s exciting fighters
enjoy it while it last and stop bit-ching like some highschool brat girls!
just ignore mayweather accusation, he’s just high on drugs!!!
Pacman eats plenty of rice , no need of any drug enhancer and I think the best thing he credits to himself is a hard work and lot of discipline during the training.
this is bs all this talk about roids , so wheres the proof , the same people that beleive that pacman is on roids are the same people that believe ufos and ghosts!
How much did Floyd weigh when he first turned pro???
Floyd MAyweather Sr is making story again lol.
He’s on Chicken Ginger Stew with Vegetables.
great article! I’m glad someone like you came up with a valid explanation such as this to M’weather, Sr’s unsubstantiated and arguable claim. Again, the 2 Pacquiao bashers, Messrs. MPerez and LSantiago, have once again capitalized on such negative news on the Filipino boxer with their unwelcomed criticism. Do us a big favor, Mr. Nepomuceno, and continue to contribute your objective views and ideas to at least neutralize these 2 haters.Thank you
It’s more likely Floyd, Jr. is being fed PED by his Dad who is a convicted drug-dealer.
Roy Jones Jr. tested positive for a substance in Ripped Fuel, which is an over the counter supplement, and that is hardly testing positive for steroids. Richard Hall his competitor also tested positive. Since then Jones stopped taking the product and has never tested positve again. Boxers are tested after each fight. Saying Jones used PEDs is like saying every athlete uses PEDs, as just about every athlete takes vitamins and supplements. Many times an athlete takes a product that was legal at the time, eg Jones jr., but has since then been banned. It is only a PED once it/if it is banned thus, many athletes have used multiple PEDs in your eyes. And by the way Ripped Fuel is still available over the counter. Rodriguez and Bonds (who you didn’t use but could have) are not fair comparisons because they tested positive for steroids. Yes, Bonds did too I have read the testimony. You should be held accountable for being irresponsible. You are not judging Pacquiao? Well, then next time do some fact checking before you throw great athletes under the bus. Jones jr. didn’t even get suspended for any period of time. Some positive test huh? Shamless.
No matter what people says about Pacman, its just
so intense entertainment and excitement whenever he’s in the ring, and you try to anticipate what he gonna do to the other guy or what may happen to him. thats what makes me buy PPV and enjoy homeviewing with friends and family.
All this hypes about roids or one dimensional is just to further heighten ppv sales.
All this gossips about Ranillo affair is as well to heighten interest of d movie wapakman starring Pacman & Krista.
All the works of their marketing agents.Normal
Manny is on the “stuff”!!
That would explain the big head. Anybody notice how big Pacquio’s head has gotten.
its okay ppl didnt respect or liked Ali too in the beggining. Im sure when its all said and done both PacMan and PBF will be remember as the greatest of their time. Im jus enjoying this moment cause it prolly wont happen again in my lifetime
What? Do you have the reciept?
What i don’t understand is this so called people claim that they are boxing fan, and they said they know alot in boxing, but they don’t recognize Pacquiao’s achievement, Wow! I think they should stop watching boxing then…lol!
Mayweather Sr. is on crack…I have proof
drugs? r u stupid? he gets tested, the reason hes good bcuz he works hard, besides wouldn’t the fighters be in the hospital if manny took drugs, r u that stupid
Post #17 is the best……
Yeah, because Manny Pacquiao cares about your respect truwelter. I do agree that it would be nice to see a title defense, but to say that what he has done in his career so far doesn’t deserve respect, than you don’t know crap about boxing. If what Manny did was so easy and not that big a deal, then why haven’t other fighters followed suit?Why isn’t Mayweather fighting a top teir middleweight? Just saying…
yeah he takes drugs, he also mixes with black magic and is part kangeroo who are well known for being good at boxing. he pads his gloves and its actually not even Manny Pacquiao its a terminator robot in a Pacman mask.
He also brain washes everybody with mind bending techniques and he actually loses ever time but weve been brain trained to think we just saw him win.
GIVE HIM SOME CREDIT.
Pacman is always in a no-win situation. he finally beat a real welterweight fighter in Cotto and people can still find excuses why he wins. like Manny said, if you believe in God, anything is possible.. and that includes beating Floyd. and i know what some of you are thinking, “Floyd is not ODLH, JMM, Hatton, Cotto..” guess what, Manny is nothing like those guys either.
Also…if you recall the 2nd round in Pac-JMM 2 – He hit Marquez so hard that he actually started walking to the wrong corner. Marquez was saved by the bell…as was Cotto in the 4th. Is it unreasonable to think that if you gain 14lbs of muscle, you would actually hit harder? I don’t think so.
@Bot
Did Mayweather knock out Marquez who has been in the welter weight division longer than Pac??? Come on…
sour grapes … you should try his eating regiments … tuyo, sinangag, dinuguan, kare-kare, bagoong and see how good you can hit!
Pac could not knock out Marquez at light weight and all of a sudden he is puching holes in welter weights?
carlos, you’re the biggest follower out there!!
let’s see if he can defend it in succession!!
if he can, i’ll jump on the bandwagon like you!
Roy Jones – oh right…he actually DID test positive for PEDs.
keep in mind that roy jones was one a middleweight champ
who also won the light heavyweight and heayweight championship…that’s40 plus pounds more…at least his championships that he won were an average of about 15 to 20 lbs apart unlike pacquiao’s 3 or 4 lbs…
It’s not Pac’s “amazing” run that makes people suggest this, it’s that although he’s always had a killer punch, there were many at 126/130 he couldn’t knock out so cleanly and he was buzzed a number of times but can noq trade with a fully fledge welterweight? very unusual, plus his head does appear to be much bigger now than when he was 23, and it should look smaller in comparison to his body if he’s gained 20lbs in that time.
Don’t get me wrong – I do not think he has used anything, I just think he was always a lot bigger than he thought and would drain his weight down to much and has now settled at his natural fighting weight.
Pacman could win 10 more times at welterweight; beat Mayweather, Mosley, Berto and Williams in succession and it will never be good enough for some people. You haters, go get a hug from someone, you need it. I choose to be inspired by the greatest Asian fighter ever…and for sure the greatest of this generation.
Gary samson, are you just a pac follower or a true
boxing fan?
for someone not using steroids & being accused of using them due to their performance, is a testament of how good he did in the ring… LET’S GO PACMAN !
#2 truwelter… Pacquiao can not fight all of them because it is impossible for him to fight every month.. secondly, boxing is business.. the promoter will select only the bankable boxers that can drag the fans and earn more money.. where is your logic?
drugs… another excuses from pacman hater.. pacquiao was cleared by las vegas athletic commission.. If mayweather sr is correct then the commission had no integrity with its clinical test.. How long this commission exist without integrity?
c’mon dude, what amazing run?? he hasn’t even fought the best fighters from each respective divisions……he’s good, but let’s see if he can defend his title on a regular basis..that’s when he’ll get my true respect….
Hate the roids, yeah right, beat them into ye, hear me now, boyaaa