Undefeated Filipino world title prospect Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta thinks that Manny Pacquiao’s quickness and “extraordinary” speed will carry him to victory against the bigger and stronger Antonio Margarito in their November 13 fight.
“Manny has extraordinary speed. His speed is different,” Gesta told Filipino-American boxing scribe Dennis Guillermo of Examiner.com. “Other fighters have speed, but . . . Manny has speed and explosiveness that [allow him] to throw punches from weird angles and all kinds of angles.”
The San Diego, California-based Gesta (19-0-1, 9 by knockouts) said that most boxers could only throw punches effectively from a certain stance.
But Pacquiao is one elite fighter who could throw punches from any angle with either hand and that is how he confounds even bigger opponents, he added.
“Manny can throw anything, and they’re fast punches,” said Gesta, a speedy lightweight southpaw about the size of Pacquiao.
Most of big-name fighters whom Pacquiao has defeated—David Diaz, Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto—have said that in the heat of their bouts, they did not see Pacquiao quick hands hitting them.
Gesta observed that Pacquiao’s speed is hard to emulate and hard to go up against.
“Sometimes you’d think you got it figured out but when you’re there, you can’t see those punches coming because they’re very fast and he can throw them at any angle. That’s why a lot of people have a hard time against him,” he explained.
According to Gesta, Pacquiao enjoys “a great advantage” over Margarito based on their fighting styles.
“Manny moves a lot and he likes opponents who come forward so he can counter them,” said the 23-year-old, who is being tipped as the Philippines’ next world champion.
“I think Margarito may be too slow for Manny and he has been off from boxing for quite a bit. I really think Manny has a big chance to win this fight if they both exhibit the same styles they used to,” he added.
Meanwhile, respected trainer American Naazim Richardson considers Pacquiao a “brilliant” fighter mentored by a great coach, which allows him to rule boxing’s pound-for-pound rankings.
“I must admit that, right now, Freddie [Roach] and Pacquiao are the powerhouses in [boxing],” said Richardson, the trainer of ageless fighters Bernard Hopkins and “Sugar” Shane Mosley.
“Freddie is just brilliant in how he handles Manny, and Manny is just brilliant in how he follows what Freddie shows him,” Richardson was quoted by veteran sportswriter Michael Marley during Wednesday’s press conference to hype the December 18 Bernard Hopkins versus Jean Pascal light heavyweight title fight in midtown Manhattan.
“I must say that Pacquiao is an extraordinary talent as well,” he said.
Source: manilatimes.net
