By Yannis Mihanos: They kill the horses before getting old. In boxing and in many sports when people reach a certain age they start to be called veterans, has-beens or spent forces. A prime example of that today in my article is Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KO’s). He is 35-years-old and preparing for his title fight against WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (31-0, 12 KO’s) on April 12th next month at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Many people now consider Pacquaio “old” for boxing.
As an example they say he has become less aggressive in the ring since 2009 (versus Miguel Cotto). They also mention how he used to be so ferocious and strong in the ring comparing to what he is showing in his last few fights. I have no argument with that because I have eyes too.
Tim Bradley highlighted once again that fact last Saturday on HBO’s broadcast of Manny Pacquiao – Tim Bradley Face off with Max Kellerman. But how near or far is that from truth?
The truth is that unfortunately for all of us the clock is ticking. Depending on how good we take care of what dear God provided us from birth we succeed or fail in life. Professional athletes who go on longer in sports are those who know how to take good care of themselves. Bernard Hopkins at 49 is the best example.
On the other hand we see how charismatic fighters declined fast, as soon as they stopped to do that. Instead they chose the booze, women, bets and drugs and in the end, some of them completely bankrupted.
On the TV, internet and magazines, each time a fighter loses and he is 35 and over he is called “old.” Luckily for Floyd Mayweather Jr (37 years old), he hasn’t lost yet, so he is still not considered old. When an over 35-year-old fighter wins they say that he has just turned back the clock but if he loses they say that he better retires.
In team sports, things get even worse because there unless the coach and the president respect highly the player. He will get to play less and less,he will polish the bench, until he is fed up and retire. It’s a cruel thing but it happens quite often.
I believe that there is also another element in that too. I could go on further and into other fields and professions but that’s not necessary today for this article, just remember what I said earlier “they kill the horses when they are old.” I think that says everything.
In my view I know that in any sport there are athletes who can compete equally strong over 35 over 40 and now thanks to Hopkins over 45. So will Pacquiao win on April 12 and turn back the clock or will he lose and be forced to retire? I do believe that Pacquiao is still young and in his prime. He still has some very good years left for his career to end.
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