By John F. McKenna (McJack): Has Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s) lost his killer instinct? It’s a question many boxing fans, including his legions of fans are beginning to ask. Pacquiao’s last three opponents went the distance. Joshua Clottey elected to fight a defensive fight and was never in any danger of going down, much less KO’d.

The fight with Antonio Margartito should have been stopped, but the referee allowed the carnage to continue. In the 12th round Manny backed off of his opponent when he could have battered him into submission. He displayed compassion, if not pity for his thoroughly beaten opponent.

Margarito suffered a fractured orbital bone in his fight with Pacquiao and there was some doubt as to whether he would ever fight again. Shane Mosley was floored in the 3rd round, after which he was obviously intimidated by “Pacman’s” speed and power and chose to go into survival mode.

In an interview with the Phillipine Star, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said that when Manny is faced with a decisively beaten opponent he lets up.

“Manny looks for the referee to stop the fight”, said Arum in the Star interview. “He does not want to rain more punishment on an opponent who has no chance of winning. That’s just how he is. I think it is a good thing that he is compassionate.”

The Margarito and Mosley fights are not indications that Pacquiao has lost the killer instinct. It’s just that those fighters were hopelessly outclassed and there was no sense to rub salt in the wounds and cause possible permanent damage.

Pacquiao once said that boxing isn’t about killing or maiming. It’s a sport, after all, where opponents should show respect for each other.

Trainer Freddie Roach was annoyed with Manny’s habit of touching gloves after each round in the Mosley fight and voiced that annoyance with him.

Arum said that if “Pacman” is faced by an opponent who is not intimidated and does not retreat that the Filipino icon will be back in furious form.

There is also some question as to whether Pacquiao’s role as a congressman in the Philippines may be weighing on Manny. As a congressman with a huge political future after he retires, does Manny want to be seen as a fighter who ruthlessly batters an opponent who he has already totally outclassed?

It is unlikely that Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO’s) will see the humane side of Manny Pacquiao. More likely Marquez will see the killer bee version of “Pacman” with all guns blazing and there will be no more questions as to whether or not he has lost the killer instinct.