By Dave Lahr: Bob Arum and many of Manny Pacquiao’s loyal boxing fans think that WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (46-2-2, 25 KO’s) is simply too big for Pacquiao to fight and they don’t have to take a fight with the highly skilled, blazing fast and powerful Martinez. But what I don’t understand is how can Martinez be considered too big for Pacquiao when he just finished fighting an even bigger fighter in Antonio Margarito? After all, Margarito is an inch taller at 5’11” and has longer arms than Martinez.

Why then is Martinez suddenly “Too big” for Pacquiao if he just finished beating someone even bigger than Martinez? That excuse just doesn’t hold water for me. I think it’s not Martinez’s size that worries these people, it’s his skills, speed, power and movement that has them afraid for Pacquiao. Martinez is the crafty type of fighter that Pacquiao has for some reason not been put in with during his career.

If you look at the type of opponents that Pacquiao has consistently been matched against during his 15-year career, it’s almost always been a stationary fighter or one that comes at him in straight lines. He hasn’t had to fight guys with the kinds of skills that Martinez has. The closest thing that Pacquiao has come to fighting someone like Martinez is his two fights with Juan Manuel Marquez, and many people, this writer included, think that Pacquiao lost both of the fights to Marquez.

Why is it that Margarito isn’t too big but Martinez, a shorter fighter with shorter reach, is considered too big? I don’t get it and I don’t buy it. I think Martinez is simply too damn good and I smell fear. I think Pacquiao’s people don’t want him to get beaten and see the gravy train end. If you’re a great fighter, you got to do great things and beating up on fighters coming off recent losses and severe beatings isn’t the same thing as taking on someone that can still really fight and is considered the best in the business. Martinez is that man and I won’t be the least surprised if Pacquiao doesn’t fight him. This guy is for real and not just someone brought in for Pacquiao to win a paper title against. He’d have to actually earn the title if he wants to beat Martinez.