by Brian Yalung
Questions are still up in the air on what Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao plans to do next. The possibility of retirement looms but some people feel that the eight-time division champion should fight on.
One of them is Arlo T. Chavez, a boxer who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain where he was also the country’s flag bearer.
The 55-year-old, who fought as a light-welterweight and welterweight, has a long list of achievements headlined by four South East Asian Games (SEA Games) gold medals, a gold medal in the 1991 Asian Amateur Boxing Championships in Bangkok, a gold medal in the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan, and a bronze medal at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing.
Chavez was one of the many people who watched Pacquiao’s clash against WBA welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas. He appeared on the Sports Bytes PH podcast on Aug. 23 and gave his insights and observations of the fight.
The first thing he noticed about Pacquiao in the fight is that the boxer-senator saw his game plan crumble. Tied to that are claims that the 42-year-old suffered from cramps. Chavez feels the Pac-Man may have been bothered by something else.
“Ang nakita ko lang sa laban niya [kay Ugas], huli na. Sira na yung game plan nila. Kung totoo man na nag-cramps siya, na may possibility rin. Pero pag cramps kasi, di ka na makatayo… Nagka-cramps na dalawang paa niya, nakalaban pa siya,” Chavez said.
Chavez saw an entirely different Pacquiao against the Cuban, someone who he believes was underestimated. He suggests that the camp of the Filipino boxer may have underestimated Ugas who is a certified Olympian.
“‘Yan yung sinasabi ko na, sobrang kumpyansa ba. Anyway, hindi naman siya kumpyansador, eh. Minsan sa buhay natin, nababalewala natin ang maliliit na bagay. Kahit ano pang gawin ni Ugas, kaya ganoon kasi nagkaroon.. mali ang performance niya [Pacquiao] eh. Hindi na siya maka-control. Lagi siyang nagbibigay ng distance,” Chavez explained.
“Tinutusok-tusok lang siya ni Ugas, lalo na pag ino- overhand niya? Ramdam talaga niya [Pacquiao]. Tsaka mautak yang si Ugas, mautak. Olympian ‘yun, eh. Kanan lang ginagamit ni Ugas. Nasisira diskarte niya [Pacquiao],” he added.
Chavez also suggested that Pacquiao’s focus may have been lacking. Having followed the boxing career of the 42-year old boxer-senator, he knows that Pacquiao never has second thoughts on what he does in the boxing ring.
“Ang laban ni Manny, hindi ganoon. Kakaiba ‘yung laro niya. May mga iniisip siya … Nag-se-second thought siya. Nag-iingat siya. Buti na lang ‘di siya inabot,” he said.
As far as what could be next for Pacquiao, Chavez believes that the boxer-senator has already moved on from that loss to Ugas.
“Tingnan mo lang nangyari sa laro nila ni [Juan Manuel] Marquez, laro nila ni [Erik] Morales. Unang laban nila, tinalo siya. Masama loob niya. Pero after seconds lang, tanggap na niya,” Chavez said.
When asked to comment if it was time for the Filipino boxing icon to call it a career, Chavez feels Pacquiao can still fight on if he chooses to.
“Kaya pa. Kahit 51, kaya pa niya. Sa ngayon, habang ‘di pa siya umaabot sa 45, Terence Crawford kaya pa din. Malinaw lang pag-iisip niya,” Chavez said.
However, he stressed that if Pacquiao does continue to fight, he needs to be 100% focused on whoever he may consider fighting next. Chavez, however, cautioned that Pacquiao needs to give attention to detail, even the little things. – jlo