The Manny Pacquiao Wars Part II: Rise of the Player Haters
November 25th, 2009
By Steve Lewis: Previously, I had written about the common post-Pacquiao fight phenomenon called “Monday Morning Quarterbacking.” There is also another sister effect to Monday Morning Quarterbacking. It has been part of our landscape since time immemorial. It is what is referred to by the newer generation as “player hating,” which is often defined as the disliking, resenting, or disapproving of a person due to his/her success or coveted assets. The term “player hater” is often associated with those who are jealous or envious of someone else’s achievements.
It is often baffling why such a nice, humble, yet exciting fighter like Manny Pacquiao would be a target of player haters. He does not have the same self-aggrandizing pomp and brash personality of a Floyd Mayweather, nor the verbal antics of a Ricardo Mayorga, but for some reason, Pacquiao is an easy target. For the fan base of other fighters out there, it is perhaps the product of their disdain for Pacquiao’s rabid fan base and fanatical following, rather than due to Pacquiao himself. Now every major fighter has their legion of followers, but be that as it may, that is no reason to hate on the man himself. One needs to separate the “idol” from the “idolaters.” Those are two separate entities.
But for other fighters, trainers, or promoters who player hate, theirs is due to something much more concrete: the pursuit of the almighty buck! Now money is not the only thing. Reputations and one’s place in the sports landscape and hierarchy factor in.
Nate Campbell: It has already been well documented that Nate Campbell had always desired a match against Pacquiao. Join the long list of those wanting to strike it rich in the Pacquiao sweepstakes. What differentiates Campbell as a Pacquiao player hater from all other would-be challengers is that Campbell does not primarily focus on his own attributes as a challenger, but rather downplays and belittles Pacquiao’s attributes as an opponent instead. It’s a classic “I-don’t-want-you-to-focus-on-my-shortcomings-so-let-me-deflect-the-attention-elsewhere” routine.
Others like Edwin Valero will not say, “Pacquiao sucks.” But rather Valero makes a case for himself by citing his punching power as a possible factor in defeating Pacquiao. The same with Shane Mosley. He does not demean Pacquiao in trying to land a match against him, but rather cites to his size, speed and championship experience to prove his worth.
So Nate Campbell’s grandstanding does not get taken seriously, particularly with the irresponsible use of the race card and claims that Pacquiao does not fight people at their own weight. Well, guess what? Pacquiao does not fight at his own weight either! Who knows what weight class he really belongs in? Is he a junior welter or a welterweight? Or is he just a bulked up lightweight? We’re not sure! So these justifications by Campbell is without much merit. Ivan Calderon can balloon all the way up to cruiserweight and challenge Vitali Klitschko at a catch-weight at the cruiserweight limit, and if Calderon pummels Klitschko to a bloody pulp, Campbell would probably say that Calderon did not beat Klitschko at his natural weight (heavyweight), rather than marvel at the fact that a way smaller guy went up in weight and beat a bigger man. That is what is referred to as a “lack of perspective.”
And as a side note, as I see this constantly out there, 147 pounds is the welterweight MAXIMUM LIMIT. It does not mean that you have to weigh in at 147 to be a welterweight! All that is required for one to be a welterweight is to weight above 140 pounds, and no more than 147. So many people cannot grasp this concept of a weight ceiling. 147 is max, not a minimum. If the argument was “Allow a welterweight to max out at the limit if he wants to,” then fine. But get the concepts straight.
And arguments about weight drain are overly exaggerated anyway. If Miguel Cotto were asked to fight at lightweight or even at jr. welter, then yes. There may be some merit there. But remember, Pacquiao did not have to do anything for Cotto. Pacquiao could have easily said, “Hey, Miguel. Want in on the Pacquiao sweepstakes? You come down to my division at 140.” But he didn’t. Instead, Pacquiao decided that he would be the one to climb up to welterweight, with the concession that Cotto come in one pound under what he previously came in at (which was 146 for the Joshua Clottey fight). Was that an unreasonable request? It was probably unnecessary, but was it unreasonable? If that extra one pound was make-or-break for Cotto, then that’s an indication of bigger problems. As I have said in football, if you can’t get a 1st down on 4th and inches, you probably don’t deserve to win anyway.
Paulie Malignaggi: Another example of a fighter who is proven wrong one too many times, and has to find a reason as to why he gets debunked constantly. Malignaggi predicted a Pacquiao loss in both the Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto fight. Both predictions missed their mark. But to rationalize and justify his gross miscalculation, he implicitly attributes it to something sinister instead: steroids (and then cowers behind a disclaimer that he’ll “leave it at that”). And you can lump in the Mayweathers among this group. How could they be so wrong in their assessment of Pacquiao? “Well, it must be something like steroids because I can’t possibly be that off, can I?”
It should be noted that Malignaggi lost to both Miguel Cotto and Ricky Hatton. And for him to witness the spectacular dismantling of those two by Pacquiao leaves Malignaggi in quandary, because where does that put him in relation to Pacquiao? Afraid perhaps to realize that Pacquiao is light years ahead of him, it is easier to dismiss it by alleging steroid use as a way to explain the unpalatable (which the Nevada State Athletic Commission has already confirmed that Pacquiao is clean). Malignaggi goes the extra mile in belittling the NSAC’s testing procedures, stating how it’s easy to beat the tests. Now that’s really grasping for straws. If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it.
All other boxers who still think that Pacquiao’s achievements are not all that special: let us see you do better. One would be hard-pressed to find anyone in the current top-10 super featherweight or lightweight division who can legitimately beat Miguel Cotto, even at a 145 lb catch-weight. Find me a flyweight champion or contender who you think has a legitimate shot at a world welterweight title a decade down the line.
Just last calendar year, 2008, Pacquiao was fighting in the super featherweight division before his ascent up the ranks. So it’s not like Pacquiao has had much time to settle above 130. In 2009, he captures the WBO welterweight title. Can Humberto Soto or Robert Guerrero take out Cotto at 145 lbs? How about Juan Manuel Marquez? We saw how ineffective he was above 140. Or how about Nate Campbell himself? The same guy who has twice lost to Robbie Peden, fell short against Isaac Hlatswayo, lost to Francisco Lorenzo, and battled Edelmiro Martinez to a draw in 2003 (so he can’t say he was a skinny teenager back then).
In other words, only a rare specimen like Pacquiao can do what he achieved. The guy debuted as a straw-weight and is now a welterweight champion, for goodness sake. And he didn’t squeak points-wins against De La Hoya, Hatton, and Cotto either. He knocked those guys around and scored TKO wins against all three! And it’s too bad that a good number of people lack the perspective to appreciate such a feat. Of course, some have to in order to protect their claim as the better fighter (Mayweather), or for strictly financial reasons (Campbell), or simply because they can’t explain and accept that someone could be that good (Malignaggi). Then there are those, who, in today’s age of pseudo journalists/internet bloggers, just like to stir up the pot and see people become hot and bothered (S & P?).
But such is the business. As they often retort, “Don’t hate the player. Hate the game.”
Tags: 198 Responses to “The Manny Pacquiao Wars Part II: Rise of the Player Haters”
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Still relevant.
Well written and perfecto!
Undeniably beautiful!
Great article!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
Very factual and articulately done. I am one of those who doubted Pacman skill to fight Cotto, but I would say you are very PROFESSIONAL and there’s no way anybody can contest your article. It is a clean cut and you earned my respect.
I can cleary see that you are knowledgeable and know what you are talking about. Couldn’t agree more. I wish you all the best!
What a fantastic article! This is the most truthful and logical article ever written about boxing analysis and psychology. Great job, mate!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHA
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Factual and very funny at the same time.
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Definitely, THE Pacquiao article of 2009.
He might be on steroids as it’s easy to get away with in boxing, but so are tons of other fighters. Even if he is I don’t think it dilutes his accomplishments.
pow right in the kisser.. lmao at (S & P) can somebody tell me its not Liam santiago and Manuel Perez? haha
add to those frustrated boxers those two
bogus and frustrated writers Liam Santiago
who said he will stop his nonsense write=up
if Pac beats Cotto but is still here shamelessly
and the moron Manuel Perez. are these cray lot
really writers?
Come to Canada, I’ll treat you for a good dinner. You have an excellent article.
I hope manuel perez reads this!!!
Well done!
Very well done article.
Why Manuel Perez Tabloid Articles get more comments than Steve Lewis Literary Pieces:
Because it is innate among Filipinos to speak, defend, and fight if offended.
And because it is also innate among Filipinos to keep mum and humble when praised.
Well….there are few exceptions of course….
Thanks for a good write on Manny Pacquiao.
You have analyzed them (haters) perfectly, placed them in the right perspective – and finally wrote it down clean and straight. Nice read.
PS. I won’t take Malignaggi seriously though. He’s in awe of Pacquiao and doesn’t know what to think. Besides – we only get to hear his name when he gets beaten by a well-known fighter. Most famous punching bag.
This is the only Artticle that I read from start to finish. Cheers to you sir. We need more writers like you unlike Manuel and Liam who know’s nothing about writing.
santiago and manuela was knockout by lewis in the first round
God Bless Your Heart Sir! For giving Pacquiao the credit he truly deserves. A legend right before our eyes, we’ll surely miss this little giant once he retires from the sport.
Steve Lewis,
You are a great writer, nuff said.
FINALLY!!! a sport writer that “calls it” how it is !!!
How can you be more right than this? You nailed it!!!
this article made me come back to this website.
excellent article
good article,think they always be opposite thinking ,as some only watch only their fighter punches,and if they dislike a fighter only their opponents,punches,and dont see the connections pac punches does unless its a staggering punch.but some true boxing fans do see the fight from a distance and see things truthfully and do now respect pac boxing skills.so kiddos.to you .
Bullseye! This topic is really very interesting as we see here a non caucasian making it big time in the sporting world dominated by african americans, europeans and latinos. Pacquiao is really an easy target but maybe people will appreciate what his contributions is when he is already gone.
Steve Lewis, you are a good writer, unbiased and you write the objective truth. Thank God we still have good writers like you. Now on the other hand, bad writers who writes stories that are biased, untruthful and heavily opinionated, the likes of SANTIAGO AND PEREZ, which truthfully should belong to those gossip magazines.
Well written and very objective. And I may add it was written with a humor otherwise, how do I explain the smile on my face while reading your article Mr. Lewis. More power to you sir!
Very very nice read. hope you write more in this site.
Awesome article!!!
Genius Writer. More power.
great point stressed out, finally! Now let’s be objective in commenting as well. Anyone here who can objectively talk about how malignaggi performed well against hatton?
nice article..thank you sir!
A very good read!. Great job sir!. You supported your arguments with facts!.
Balanced and well-written article. The best writer in this website who can objectively present the contrast of dissenting opinions to a clear resolution. Well done Mr Lewis!
best and most intelligent article in this website by far. great job!
At last , somebody with an actually functional brain . Good piece of writing. A lobotomy is in order for Santiago and Perez . Oooops! too late. been there. done that
Now I will click boxing 24.
Anthony I agree, I enjoy both fighters but to consider either of them as the greatest of all time is just ridiculous. The fact of the matter is, it is impossible to consider anyone in any arena the greatest of all time. Everything evolves overtime and therefore it is really only fair to compare people for their accomplishments during the era in which they perform.
Very nice and objective article. I love every word in it. To all you anti-Pacman, embrace the inevitable- the great one is upon us and he will rule boxing! He he.
Thank you, Steve L. Keep it up the good work.
wow. this is the first time a writer looked beyon the picture. a lot of todays writers (including doug fisher) give comments as if they are the best at what they do. lets face it. we all have our favorites. but bashing a fighter purely because of once personal opinions and favorites are not good characteristic of good journalists. writers & journalists alike should report free from personal bias and emotions. AMEN TO YOU SIR!!!
Excellent article.
Second to none critical thinking by the writer.
JR and OrigBatangueno – Your both spot on. If you have something negative to say about Pacquiao, it might just be a miner thing, all Pacquiao’s “biggest fans” retaliate. Claim he is the Greatest of all Time and how said person is a hater.
Well Im a fan of both Mayweather and Pacquiao, and I am under no illusion that either can stake a claim to being Greatest of All Time. Yes maybe greatest in there era, and up there on the all time list. But, above greats like Robinson, Ali, Duran, Hagler, Hearns, Leonard, Chavez, no chance (ive missed out a lot of big names there aswell who could stake a claim to being greater then both Mayweather and Pacquiao). These guys fought more regularly with nowhere near the type of facilities and time to prepare for a bout.
Just some naive people caught up in the hype.
Wow. I read all of that. Wonderful article!
This article is what all the player-hater needs to read. It’s an outstanding display of reasoning that maybe S & P cannot grasp much more to comprehend because they are what they are… idiots!
I give all the credit to this writer, great insight!
Writers like you makes me believe that journalism still has it’s credibility.
Liam Suck_it and Manuel Pock_it IS THE REASON WHY PEOPLE DON’T BELIEVE IN JOURNALISM AS WHAT THEY ALWAYS DO IS WRITE UNBIASED ARTICLES.
Well done article! It’s funny when some “boxing fans” (including some boxers)wanted to appear smart and write and say comments as if they know better about negotiations of fights; as if they know better than the trainers themselves; as if they are experts in performance drug tests; as if they can box better than the boxing greats. Like Pacman always says: Wait until fight day and see it for yourself. Anyone can try to analyze and predict – but at the end, there’s only one way to find out. My “May” (2010) “weather” forecast will be lightning and thunderstorm from Pacman. I can hear MayW Sr. making excuses and more accusations regarding the “storm” being on something.
“…it is perhaps the product of their disdain for Pacquiao’s rabid fan base and fanatical following, rather than due to Pacquiao himself.”
BINGO!
I like… scratch that… I love Pac from the beginning. I keep all vids of his fight (only his fights, nothing with him singing), everything I can download or leech from youtube. (Tell ‘em Nepster
But I hate… OH, HOW I HATE the st—p mf’ing Pacnuthuggers.
I can’t follow this advice though: “One needs to separate the “idol” from the “idolaters.””
There is no better way to p-ss off the Paccrazies than to attack Pacquiao. And it’s fun too, just ask Liam and Manuel. LOL.
nice article! great reading….enjoyed every moment of it.
this writer is good perhaps best..it makes other readers to read all over again..
i cried reading this. wonderful :’) if more writers were like you, no matter for or against a great hero like pacman, then the world would be a better oooh much much better place to live in.
spot on mate!! well wrote…
i will post this link on my facebook.. this is a great article..
nice article!!! i dont know what you get with the hits but ill support you for giving fair article… cheers
Suuuuure. If someone says something negative about a person you like, no matter how true it may be, they’re a player hater. Riiiigggghhht.
Boxing is a competetive sport and therefore, the fans are competetive. Everyone will nhave negative words for another boxer who isn’t their fav. Sometimes people speak the truth, some times they speak pure BS. Either way, when people don’t have a come back for negatives against their own boxer, all they can say is “You’re a player hater!”
I like Pacman but he’s no welterweight champion considering he hasn’t fought at the welterweight weight yet.
Congratulations Mr. Steve. Great article. Look forward for some of your articles on other boxers. More power to you. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I don’t bother reading perez & Liam article.
wow! great article sir…if only PACMAN’s an american, they will not criticize him…
“garlicboy:
Training and eating in the USA, Manny gained weight from and eating genetically modified foods and American beef which is pumped with steroids. Thus, just eating American foods over time, Manny gained weight. In fact US beef is banned for sale in European nations.”
Manny ain’t eating american beef during his training camps. There’s a thai restaurant just below the wild card gym and that’s where he eats. Thai restaurants are somewhat close to Filipino dishes. Filipino dishes normally don’t include american beef in its ingredients.
Bravo! Thank you very much for this excellent well written article. We are all proud and hope you will become the Manny Pacquiao of Journalism!! Congratulations!
Kudos to you and more power. I think writers should write articles like this. Even as Pacfan, I think writers should focus more on the positives of both fighters rather than the idiotic hatred of both fighters.
Congratulations Stevie! I liked your in-depth style and objectivity. Shame to you Manuel Perez.Here is Mr.Lewis the real sport journalist.Btw,Stevie are you black?
To read such a good articles makes my brain healthy and Well, trash in trash out as the computer genius says.The known good reminder to everyone “eat a healthy diet”,so as the brain too.
Bravo Señor Lewis! Bravo!
Hope this article will shut-up those Pacman haters….
This article made me visit this site again. Very objective and full of facts! Manuel Perez and Liam Santiago are garbage writers, I never read the article the moment I saw their idiots name!
your are my hero! great job
Excellent. I vote you as Sports Journalist of the Year!!!
I am gladd that some one in this web has some brains, I love the good work and objective writing. As a mexican i thonk I have more the one reason to not like MP, he has win over every mexican boxer he has fight but you need big bo…s to accept or recognize a bbbiiiggg time great boxer like Many P.
Thanks Mr. Lewis
if you think manny is overrated…you have definitely have looked past “FLOYD MAYWEATHER”
im a floyd mayweather fan, but htis article is all about the damn truth.
i beleive in giving credit when credit is due… manny pacquiao is racking up all the awards and trophy cuz he’s definitely “on fire” right now… i could just imagine how floyds ‘ego’ is hurt lately… hes only got “reebok” which is maybe a farrr secondry t
o ‘NIKE’ and no award at all…not even a nominee for “fighter of the year” or even “athlete of the year” …and DEFINITELY not on “FIGHTER OF THE DECADE”!!!
NOT FOR NOTHING, BUT……
OUCH!
Well, look at this! finally, for the very first time, i got my comment posted. Anyway, maybe its time to take this opportunity to say kudos to Mr. Lewis.
BTW,
You guys keep on saying stuff about the brain-drained perez and santiago. If you want them gone, stop reading their articles. You’re no better than the two if you keep on falling for their bait. Do you really think that these two care about pacman or any boxer or even boxing? Obviously, they have hopped into the PAC BANDWAGON by making a profit out of hating the guy.
I bet nobody was reading their pointless made-of-crappy-grammar articles until you went on foolishly commenting about their hatred works.
When I first read their articles, seriously, I was disgusted. However, you don’t need to be a pro or a boxing fan to understand how things work on this site. It’s quite obvious that their write ups serve a mere purpose: to get more hits. “Why care about the site’s credibility if I can get more views by hating the guy and still keep my $2 per article job? Besides, it’s just a pen name!”
But if you claim on reading theirs due to the entertainment value that it gives, then suit yourself. I myself do that, but not too often. So stop whining! Admit it or not, you can’t view this site without visiting P&S’s page. You’ve just been wagged.
great article! Bravo Mr. Lewis!
Excellent article. Those who criticize Pac will never be at his level because they think he is too far up there that they think what he is doing is impossible. Pac raised the bar that few have achieved in our time. They didn’t realize that just by sheer hardwork, dedication, and heart, you can do all.
Malinaggi, Nate and Floyd… crabs in a bucket.
Reasons Manny has been able to gain weight gradually.
1. Yes he fought at 106 pounds, but only twice at age 16 years of age.
2. FACT. He had poor nutrition as a boxer in the Philippines, in other words, he was starving and malnourished.
3. Manny pushed himself to the LIMIT to try and make weight. His 2nd loss to Medgoen Singsurat Manny failed to make 112 weight limit and in fact JUMPED UP 10 POUNDS to the jr. featherweight division 122 pounds.
4. Training and eating in the USA, Manny gained weight from and eating genetically modified foods and American beef which is pumped with steroids. Thus, just eating American foods over time, Manny gained weight. In fact US beef is banned for sale in European nations.
perfect! this is one of the best i have ever read in this site.
Now that’s what we call objective writing. Cite the facts and give credit where its due. Knuckleheads who cannot, or afraid to comprehend the truth that what Pacquaio has done is out of the ordinary. Very nice article!
i want to kiss your azz mr lewis! XD
This article reminded me of Ali’s quote. “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”.
Mr. Lewis, that was a TKO.
Bravo Mr. Lewis!
good article…pac’s resume is second to none…haters just won’t give him his due…he’s accomplished such a great feat in boxing and there’s still critics…damn the boy is awesome…accept it already…
hey mally j…ur an idiot…this is only manny’s first fight at a catch weight, he’s not ‘always’ fiting at catchweights…do ur homework man, 141-147 lbs is under welterweight…u just cant understand it, dumb you!!!
Everytime i visit this site for some boxing updates all i see was negative, baseless ignorant articles writen by Santiago and Perez to a point where its almost comical to read like Nate Campbell is Legendary compared to Manny and Amir KO’ing Pac…I am not a boxing expert but theres just no way Amir can KO Pac when he took the best of Cotto…. If all the writers of this site are the likes of Santiago and Perez, the end will be sooner than later cause only haters like them will patronize this site…. Finally, a writer who knows his craft,,,a breath of fresh air… I salute you Steve Lewis…
Bless you Lewis.. Nice article! Thumbs up!
This is a very good article and well researched.
Wow! well done.now,I want to hear from Floyd sr.,Paulie,Manuel Perez(those steroids users).
Nicely written . . hope you write more on this website which has seen a deterioration of article quality.
My exact thoughts. Thanks for putting it in writing.
They say that when the kings move, the dogs end up barking. It is nice to see that Manny is getting the response that he deserves as a true king of the sport. I do really hope that more and more controversies come up so that in this fickle world of boxing, Manny can get the same attention as Ali did because of the controversial Vietkong publicity.
manuel perez and liam santiago should be ashamed of themselves and the editor of this site for letting them pester here!!
At last someone who actually knows about boxing and human desires, wishes, wants and dreams……good work
a breath of fresh air at last. It’s obvious you know and researched your facts well and you know boxing as a sport and the boxers as a person as well.
I’ll keep reading your article if I’m looking for facts and intelligent analysis of boxing bouts and fighters.
For the others who self-proclaimed themselves as “boxing experts”, I’ll still read their articles for a touch of humor. Admittedly my guilty pleasure.
Manuela Perez!! Liam!! Where are you???
Very factual and exceedingly analytical!
You separate yourself from other amateurishly delusional wannabe boxing writers.
Mr. Lewis, thanks for the enlightment in the sport we love.
@boxgLOVER…The point I am making is I agree with this article in all the points made, but it’s the points about his boxing critics not personality critics being addressed, the writer has began by defining the term player hater and seeing as there is so many against Floyd, will he be applying his obvious writing talents to defending floyd’s boxing credential critics? If not and he’s taken credit for being objective..why not? that’s all. I’ll repeat..great article.
@ ginger don…as a true boxing fan I dont hate Mayweather Jr. as a boxer. In fact he is truly one of the best fighter right now but what I dont like about him is his character. He doesnt speak of the truth when it comes to Pacquiao. So can you blame those people who dislike him because he took that role to be the villain of the Pacquiao-Mayweather saga?
It was a great article Mr. Lewis, congrats and looking for more article of yours.
wow simple amazing.. now i dont hate pacquiao no more now i understand.
I don’t think I’ve read an article that says what it really is. What Manny has achieved may never be duplicated and these envious critics can’t accept the fact that a little guy like Manny was able to do it in a very convincing fashion. They can’t climb up to where Manny is, that’s why the only way they can level with him is to pull him down.
Great Job sir!!! Maybe you can remind your boss to fire your colleagues who said that they will quit writing if Many Pacquiao win against Cotto.
BULLSEYE! another great article!
Awesome article…. Awesome writer….
Awesome Pacquiao !!!!!
thank for this article….Steve Lewis
things to add most of Filipino male kids age 16 to 20 weight 100 lbs to 120 lbs. or even under weight.
22 yrs. old to 30 gradually gain weight at to 145 lbs. to 150 lbs.
This one apply to Manny Pacquiao and majority of Filipino kids who grow up in mother Land call Philippines
some critics that Pacman is taking steroid that is,nonsence and its proven what we have is corrupt politician.
Negative write-ups against Pacman by Liam Santiago and Manuel Perez fueled Pacfans fury but didn’t work in trying to get hits. They resisted the temptation of clicking on the link which S & P laid as a bait.Now Steve Lewis try the positive strategy and it works. Steve, you’re the man! Your stablemates S & P aredelusional morons.
I like the engaging title of this article. Very exquisitely stirring! Sounds like the “Truth must be defended at all costs for the good of the sweet science”.
Nice. You are new?
You are biased for Pacquiao. You should have written about my unbeaten record.
Yeah! Me too! Damn! What a nice article!
(Hey Steve! between the two of us, can you please teach me how to really write an article?)
All I can say to Liam “Liar” or Manuela. They are just a fan , not journalist. They put their emotion over whats the facts…and they continue to deny what they perceived and fabricating fallacious story to stir up the pot and relieve their pain….Shame on them.
Nice article keep it up.
Can you name us who he avoided at 130 to 140? Matter of fact he started to become a pound 4 pound when he fought what everyfighter avoided in that division. Ex. Eric Morales, barrera, Marquez. Who else was he suppose to fight?
This is what am talking about. A writer with a lot of sense and who does a lot of research. Great job man!
On point… well said article.
Question? Any of these ” PacHaters” fighters can put up an exciting fight like Pacquiao? Any of these fighters match up their hype? Can any one of them put up a quality show that worth the PPV cents in every rounds? …. Are any of this fighters can match up Pacquiao’s character in and outside the ring? If these “athletes” are in pain for one man’s success then what is sports to them?
Manuel Perez and Liam Santiago blocked me from responding to their articles. Why? I hate those guys, they will not let me respond to their “bias” articles. You sir, I respect you for writing unbias articles.Thank you!
To be clear Pac never invented catch weight. The all time greats had fought catch weight. Hagler-Hearns for example.
I’m so tired of hearing all this weight drain excuses. as a matter of fact when Pac was just fighting at the feather weight to light weight he would weigh in at 130 and would look emaciated. He then weighs around 140 yet you never see him use it as an excuse for anything. It is also important to understand that when he got knocked out with his strawweight fight he starved himself to make weight and one good punch to the body just made him crouch and queazed for pain. But yet that was never mentioned.
And if you look at Manny career,he like PBF has avoided certain type of fighters,and in Manny case he’s avoided the fighters who can actually box,from 130 lbs though the 140 lbs division.
You can tell these are all pacman fans,not people with knowledge of boxing.If two pounds was not such a big deal,then why ask the champ to fight at 145,they ask for it for a reason.Now if they decide to for example to fight P.Wiliiams at for the jr middleweight title,will they tell him to come in at a catch weight or will they fight him at 154.The all time greats always fought champions at their weight,why you all don’t see this i’ll never know.This will never happen with PBF cause he’s to smart for that,and on top of that,box the hell outta Manny.
best article i’ve read on this site. r.i.p. s&p!
Thank you Sir for HITTING THE JOCKPOT !!!! For telling the Truth !!! For telling it as it is !!!
good article… i have QUESTION though??
why is it that the number 1 PAC hater was not mentioned in this article?? M PEREZ… Mr. Lewis he’s a writer like you for this website right… If you just happen to read this message can you make a request to have this guy’s a** kicked from being a boxing writer/analyst.. why?? simple. this guy has no credibility, how can you be an analyst when it’s so obvious how biased you are or shows how you hate a fighter…
wow bravo bravo Mr.Steve Lewis wow a great article that i read today …i love the way you write bro…
mr liam santiago and mr. manuel perez stop writing now because it really sucks its a waste of time its all garbage im sure people dont like it too..i dont like your boxing article…
To Steve Lewis, I’m writing the post to CONGRATULATE and THANK you for your 100% honesty. This article deserves to be read by ALL boxing FANS and by the very PACMAN-haters-to-death CLUB like Mayweather Sr. Malignaggi, Kermit Cintron, Nate Campbell, O did I say the Joke Campbell and the Joke Coach Mayweather Sr? O these 2 deserves a right hook punch to the chin by PACMAN so they will rest in comatose for the rest of their life. They will be forgotten like a dust underneath the garbage bin. PACMAN will live and beyond his lifetime, will be remembered not mainly for his greatness but for his HUMILITY. As the scripture has it, the proud will be humbled (MAYWEATHERS), the humble will be esteemed (PACQUIAO).
This is by far the best article written in this PERIOD!!! So well thought out and explains the ugliness of jealousy due to a person who is not only extremely but extremely humble. The haters will twist and turn their reason why Manny won the fight and not due to his talent as a boxer. Malinaggi is facing the fact that the last 2 boxer he lost to, were completely destroyed and demolished by Manny. It really Paul that his level as a boxer is nowhere near that of Manny. Because he lost to DLH and Hatton, evidently Paul think Manny must be on to performance enhancers. He is grasping by a straw. And Mayweather Sr, the only thing he knows about natural supplements are Flinstone vitamins.
Kudos to Mr Lewis. I hope you are sincere in what you said. Forgive me, for i have the feeling this website is trying to make up for the trash that Liam Santiango and Manuel Perez had been making. I suspect that the site is losing its business due to disrepute because of the KSP articles of aforementioned writers. KSP is a Filipino acronym for getting attention even if trash talking just for attentions sake. That is solely for the business. I would suggest with your integrity still intact, you better write for another site as i see this site will go down the drain for not having a strong editorial board who can maintain a decent amount of analytical skills and fairness, in contradiction to the garbage Mr Santiago and Perez come up with. I didnt really visit the site i just happen to read the article at PACLAnd. Having known this to be the same site as S & P. i wont visit this site again, i promised myself not to be an instrument of such lousy journalism from S & P.
Pacqiuao or pakyaw = in philippine langguage means: (Take all)when you buy something or contrcating some works in any form of labor to earn something thats pacquiao or pakyaw for none pilipino spoken info…. Comment with Mr BBull sayaings,…..
Manny Pacman Pacquiao is the no.1 P4P boxer I agree, and not on the top five boxers at all time….. but he is the number ONE boxer at all generation,because nobody get 7belt at 7 divission at all time so far
I Love You Mr Writer keep up the good work
Great job, well written, superb analysis and your use of logic devastating to the players/haters and needless to say and as pointed out by others here, just as devastating to ‘writers’/haters the likes of liam and manuela…this site is becoming too schizophrenic…just as i was about to give up on it, here you come with this article!
Steve Lewis–I just reread your article, I hope that you continue to write. Your writing comes across as being very honest. Opinionated, factual and entertaining, hell kid your a contender.
I still remember when Pacquiao after winning against Dela Hoya gave him a hug saying you are still my idol. What a humble guy!!! I am so fortunate to see Jordan, Tiger Woods, Tyson , Pacquiao etc. shining in our time. Thanks Steve, your article reflects what kind of person you are.
Hey Mr. Lewis, another great article. You nailed it again bro! BTW I have to salute you for recognizing S & P! I hope they read your articles.
Anthony W…to clarify the catchweight limit of 145lbs during the pacquiao-cotto fight , Team Pacquiao was allowing Cotto to weigh up to 147 lbs
& the fight would still be ON…fight will be called-off if cotto goes beyond 147 lbs….bottomline, cotto is not being restricted to weigh at 147 lbs max limit if he thinks that would be his best weight to defeat pacquiao.
finally…boxingnews24 regain its reputation through this superb non-bias article of Steve Lewis.
Very good article!
Nice article! Wow I will be visiting this site often. It’s quite a different viewpoint compared to the other writers on this site. Very well said and very good analysis. I salute you. Win or Lose against Mayweather, PACMAN has already earned his spot in boxing history. I would love to see PACMAN retire after the Mayweather fight. Nothing more to prove.
VERY WELL SAID!
Author – so will you be doing a similar analysis on addressing Floyd’s haters, as there are enough of them that visit this site to justify such an in depth and balanced article as this one?
Forgot to mention…. Thank you Sir!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally a well written article….
Very good perspective and analysis. Kudos to you Sir…..
Good Writer, at last we will be able to read an article which is not biased but based on fact.keep going your article is the best to read.
A well written article that deserves praise and appreciation. I wish the author could lend some of his brain to LIAM SANTIAGO – a writer who has no perspective at all. Too bad for those sourgraping fighters- reality hurts. Kudos and more power to you Mr. Lewis!
I seldom miss reading articles written about boxing greats the likes of heavyweights joe louis, marciano, walcott, muhamad ali, frazier, to the lower weights like pep, carmen basilio, the 2 sugar rays, hagler, hearns, duran to the new great fighters of the era and I can say I have enjoyed perusing these articles for already more than 50 years. But I would not be honest if I say I do not like reading Mr. steve lewis’ article being truly objective. Mr Lewis, I wish to read more good boxing articles from you.You have got what it takes to be one at the top of the business.
Forget about floyd mayweather, he’s a scrubb! put the money issue aside for a while.. and you got a matchup with paul williams…in the 80’s and 90’s champions fought the mandatory challenger whoever they are.i’d like to see that happen again. i think people who doesn’t know enough or doesn’t know about boxing at all are so caught up in this potential pacquiao vs. mayweather matchup that boxing seems to only revolve around them… when it’s time for them to hang up the gloves, are you guys going to run away from the sport? or learn more about it so you can have interest in the sport as a whole?
Nice one. I will keep on visiting this site and look for Mr. Lewis article.
people can keep hating but hate does not stop success pacquiao is the man right now people need to live with it.
A boxing article (or sports article for that matter..) that is both articulate AND MORE IMPORTANTLY objective…? Unheard of. At least it was until this one. Kudos Mate.
Steve Lewis–You are one of the few writers for this site that each of the four men pictured above wouldn’t want to *****-slap. My hats off to you.
Very good article, it’s good that you addressed those points made, though now Manny is a WBO welterweight these catchweight BS should stop, but u going 2 do one on the same subject about Floyd Mayweather addressing his critics or are you a writer who is just a Pacquiao apologist?
Yet another piece of fine writing explaining human motivation, Mr. Lewis … Thank you.
You have unmasked and taken the haters to task.
amen..at last..11111
Very well said!! i luve you man!!!
f*ck i can’t post my comments
Come by Houston. I’ll treat you dinner
The haters just can’t handle the truth. I just wish that Manny Pacquiao is a Canadian.
how I can post?
good article. When pacquiao debuted as a professional i took notice of his very fast hands and throws more than a hundred punches a minute and predicted that ‘my this boy will become a real world champion if he will not become big-headed!’ Compared to filipino sonsona, the number of punches and the speed of the punches plus the quickness of darting his body in and out is not even necessary to compare. I have not seen a straw weight or a flyweight with as fast a hands and movement as pacquiao~!
AMen to you brother..
manny pacquiao is a hell of a boxer, he may hve a funny looking face and accent but damn, he’s unbelievable..
finally a writer that knows boxing!
S & P? who are they?
Then there are those, who, in today’s age of pseudo journalists/internet bloggers, just like to stir up the pot and see people become hot and bothered (S & P?). SANTIAGO & PEREZ….. HAHAHAHA
GOD BLESS YOU! GOOD WORK! KEEP IT UP!
Suckas sip that hateraid all day long when it comes to Manny! He is one of the greatest to ever step into the ring, if not the greatest? This thanksgiving I’m thanking the good lord for my family, my health, my ability to support my family, and MANNY PACQUIAO! AMEN!
Lets all get real, we all want to see Pac Vs Money, But does Mayweather really even diserve to step into the ring with Manny yet? He needs to grow some balls and step up and fight Mosley or Williams first. Then IF!! he beats those guys then he would diserve a shot a Manny.
Right on the money! you hit the jackpot steve, been waiting for this type of article,perhaps maybe can educate some of the writer’s in this website e.g LS or MP….keep it up Mr Lewis
wow….very insightful article…i just hope it opens up a lot of eyes esp. two writers
or pseudo-writers mentioned by an earlier poster.thank you…keep it up and more power to you sir!
Very well written indeed. Your rationale is perfectly stated. Congratulations my boy, very nice article.
most genuine article i have ever read
mr, lewis, what an article! you nailed it right, mate! this is the most logical article i’ve read, (and many others would agree, too) on what’s the real worth of pac achievements against that of his haters. what a way to narrate everything and tell the reasons as it is! Thank you for the nice article!
Great article.
I agree with pretty much everything you say. The only issue I have with Roach and Pacquiao (it is Roach who is making the catchweights, not Manny) is how they got a catchweight whilst challenging for the Welterweight title. I know everyone is going to say, “welterweight is anything inbetween 140-147lbs”, but when you are CHALLENGING for a boxers title, the title holder should hold all the cards. Cotto fought at 147lbs to win the title, I can’t think of anyone else who has won the title with a catchweight beneath the 147lbs limit. It probably wouldnt of had an effect on the result because Manny was too fast for Cotto. But I didnt like how the WBO backed Cotto into a corner, because if I remember rightly, the catchweight and bout was agreed without the title on the line, but then Roach (I think) came out and stated Cotto should have to defend his title.
Hopefully someone can clarify this.
BisDak, can you tell me if there are any upcoming championship fights?
On fight night, Cotto came in at 156 while Pacman came in at 149. So weight drain EXCUSES is out of the question.
Steroids? Pacman doesn’t have a CLUE what that is.
Eat the “dokot” of the rice like many struggling Pinoys do and you will be rock solid…:)
Let’s retire all weight divisions in boxing except pacmans and mayweathers!!!when it’s time for them to retire then what??? i’m a true boxing fan and i’d like to hear other articles about the other fighters in boxing..can you do that, steve lewis?
discrediting Manny Pacquiao rather than giving him credit on this site makes the writer popular like Manuel Perez. Last week, he received around 500 comments on his article and i’m preety sure it gives a big smile on his face because he earns more money for every comments that he receive.
I will comment in support of you. May your tribe increase. Balanced and well thought of article. Lays down the facts as most fans, rabid or not, casual or hardcore, know and understand it to be but does not have the ability nor the avenue to express it as well as you have.
Couldn’t have been writeen any better!!!
Frankly speaking, I am one of those who wants to stir the pot and enjoy the reaction of pea brained people because I am a great fan of Perez and Liam.
What does it take to be a writer on this website ” Boxing news 24″ ? Does one go through a screening process of some sort. How come Liam Santiago and Manuel Perez got hired to this site. Steve Lewis is more like a real writer, lays down the facts and figures and considers different angles before making a conclusion. Writers like Steve are a breath of fresh air. This is, until the boneheads start writing again.
Steve Lewis is the countertype of Manuel Perez!!
Great Article
MR LEWIS, ONCE AGAIN, YOU’VE WRITTEN ANOTHER FINE PIECE.
YOU ARE A RARE COMMODITY. I LOVE YOUR WORK.
MANNY HAS BEEN GREAT FOR BOXING.
Great great article.Pacman is the Bruce lee of boxing if he was AMERICAN then he was already Nr1 P4P boxer in boxing history and if he takes out Chicken Floud he must be in the top 5 boxers of all time.What do you think?
I agree with U Pac is beating the guys the way they r suppose to be beat. Question tho, why Pac always have a catch weight when his fighting Welterweights he has yet fought a Welterweight tht weighs in at 147 the have to be under the Welterweight limit. Iam just saying……. Let welterweight fight at welterweight not under if its not a big deal then why fight so hard to make the bigger man LOSE weight to fight a smaller man who want the Bigger mans belt. Just dont seem right.
Great Article! Puts a better perspective to what Pacquaio has achieved….keep up the great work…
Nice….. Manuela… Where are you nowwwww??
Another super great article. I bow down to you Mr Steve Lewis sir.
You made me go back to Boxingnews24.
very well said and excellent article! pls try to write here more often! it’s a shame that some people will deny greatness despite the obvious!
It’s a shame when all these current/past boxers put a let down on Pacquiao. Why?, they know Pacquiao is at his prime and damn good where he shines his throne. All accusations failed towards Pacquiao from illegal Enhancers to steroids. Now Floyd Sr. now says Pacquiao cant fight and doesnt move his head while he drills a packed punch. Floyd Sr. all talk, no show. In other words,”Major failure in every way” All this talk about Pacquiao is pure racial slur. Just becaue a Pacific Islander is on top in the boxing world today. Does he deserve all this negativity, I think not. Filipino’s are humble and down to earth people and give respect in all corners of the world when comes to mationality. Its been seen and proven by Pacquiao that he took down beat the best in the business not any of you can take that away from him or do about it. Its a shame Floyd Sr. doesnt know when to shut his mouth. How much farther can this guy go. So sad
This is a great article, you single handily add respect back to this website after there being so many comedy articles populating the front page.
People cant quite grasp though that Santiago, Gilfoid and Perez are more than likely the same person with the agenda of generating traffic to the site, to be honest I love coming on here and reading their (Or his rather) articles, so its working.
The fact that so many complain about these guys and nothing is done and the fact that they can basically fill the front page with so many articles with bad grammer covering the same fighters over and over suggests to me that it is nothing more than generating traffic.
As I said before, the three of them need to go away and wash their balls, give them a good scrub
BRAVO!!!!! Very good article.
Its strange because I rarely read an article that I appreciate a lot because either they dont have the facts straight or its a blatantly lie. You really hit the mark on this one. Kudos for you!
To all Pacquiao haters, EAT YOUR HEART OUT!
ANOTHER TKO FOR MR. LEWIS! HE IS THE PACMAN OF THIS SITE!! HIS GRAMMAR, ELOQUENCE AND CONTENT ARE PAR EXECELLANCE!! KUDOS TO YOU!! AND SHAME ON MANUELA AND LIAMA!!
That’s what you call a fair writing…Hands up!!
AMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNN! Mr. Lewis, this article of yours is a perfect example of a welldone homework. A lot of research base on factuals. You just hit them so hard that they all look like Hatton on his 2nd round against Pacqiuao. Did you notice not even one have the guts to comment something againts your article? Well, I can see honesty in how you write just like the humbleness in Pacquaio. I now like reading this site…. Thanks.
great article! forgot to mention cintron another hater.
another excellent article.
logic and reason > pacquiao haters.
Very nice article sir!
keep up the work
Nice article. You put alot of points made by others into perspective.
thanks for the great article! Im tired of reading garbage articles from losers like Liam Santiago and Manuela Perez!
thanks for the great article! Im tired of reading garbage articles from losers like Liam Santiago and Manuela Perez!
True that! Yes, I know some segment of Pacman fans can be myopically rabid and outspoken, but that’s because no one has been able to shut them up & prove them wrong. But like this author said, that’s no reason to hate on Manny. NATE! Grovel on!
A fine article, nice to hear some sense for a change.
The Pac man is simply in a league of his own.
Man where has this writer been all this time. my god you hit the nail straight on the head sir. Amen to you.