Manny to tip off at 147?

MANILA, Philippines – From a scrawny rookie who turned pro weighing 106 pounds in 1995, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has evolved into one of the world’s all-time greats with six titles in different divisions.

Four other fighters in history are in the same category – James Toney, Oscar de la Hoya, Hector Camacho and Tommy Hearns. But Pacquiao is in the record books as the only fighter to claim “linear” world championships in four divisions – flyweight, featherweight, superfeatherweight and lightwelterweight. No other fighter has achieved the record of gaining universal recognition in four weight classes.

Being a “linear” champion means a lot more than winning a so-called “alphabet soup” title. The WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO install different world champions in 17 categories and rarely, agree on an undisputed titleholder. Beyond the “alphabet soup” kings, a consensus “global” or “linear” champion is recognized by objective boxing experts for his dominance.

Then, there is the pound-for-pound title, bestowed by the prestigious Ring Magazine which is known as the “Bible of Boxing.” Pacquiao is now the world’s No. 1 fighter, pound-for-pound, succeeding Floyd Mayweather Jr. upon his retirement.

When Pacquiao knocked out Ricky Hatton last weekend, he became the “linear” 140-pound champion because the Hitman from Manchester was previously recognized as the best among the different lightwelterweight titlists.

For the record, Pacquiao has now captured six world crowns – the WBC flyweight (112 pounds), IBF superbantamweight (122), “linear” featherweight (126), superfeatherweight (130), lightweight (135) and lightwelterweight (140).

Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach Alejandro Ariza said recently the fighter will likely tip off at 147 pounds, the welterweight limit.

“Against Hatton, Freddie (Roach) wanted me to bulk up Manny, make him bigger without compromising his speed,” said Ariza. “How far can Manny go? Possibly, up to 147. We worked hard in the gym to get Manny to where he was for Hatton but it was really all Manny’s doing. He did it all. Manny’s an amazing athlete.”

Ariza, who is from Bogota, Colombia, migrated to the US when he was 13 and attended San Diego State where he played baseball until a shoulder injury ended his varsity career. He took up kinesiology – the science of human movement, biochemistry and nutrition with a specialization in sports at the Health Science College of Medicine in Syracuse, New York.

Ariza, 34, was hired by Roach to join the Wild Card Gym last year and took over from Justin Fortune. He was initially assigned to work with Pacquiao’s brother Bobby and another Filipino fighter Diosdado Gabi. Ariza used to work with the late world champion Diego Corrales. He has also trained Erik Morales, Angel Manfredy and UFC fighter Andrei Arlovsky. Ariza introduced a scientific approach called “high intensity intervolt training” in tuning up Pacquiao’s body. The approach zeroes in on fast-twitch muscle fibers and develops explosive movements.

Ariza said Pacquiao was in excellent shape for Hatton. “There were no late morning sessions and I absolutely think he trained harder in this camp,” noted Ariza, quoted by writer Steve Kim. “He completed everything as far as the conditioning, plyometrics, he’s picked up with the speed training earlier than we did last time. I think those new things with the De la Hoya fight, you second-guessed them. But I think he felt more confident. He knew how his body was going to feel after so he put in 100 percent. I’ve never seen Manny so confident and he’s on a whole different level now. I think he got used to fighting bigger guys and stronger guys that now when he faces a guy just a weight class higher than him or the same weight class, he just dominates.”

Roach said Pacquiao’s evolution has been incredible.

“I never thought this would ever happen,” said Roach, quoted by writer Dan Rafael. “He’s just been getting bigger and stronger. He’s a lot happier when he’s not making weight. He’s healthier, he gets to eat what he wants and I feel when I have a happy fighter who’s not struggling to make weight, it’s a good thing. And his powers come up with him. Manny’s a machine. He is the hardest worker I’ve ever seen in my life and that’s why he’s the best fighter in the world today.”

Even Hatton was amazed at Pacquiao’s ascension.

“It’s a phenomenal achievement what Manny’s done,” said Hatton. “He turned pro at 106. So that’s incredible, a man fighting at the weight he’s fighting at now. I think it’s a lot easier to move up through the weights the lighter weight you are because obviously, the weights are a lot closer together. From where Manny started off when he won his first world title (at 112) to when he won his last (135), you would have to say it’s more impressive. It’s absolutely such a massive achievement.”

By clinching his sixth world title, Pacquiao moved out of the list of five-time champions including Sugar Ray Leonard, Lester Ellis, Roberto Duran and Mayweather. If Pacquiao faces WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto next and wrests the crown, he’ll become the only fighter ever to win titles in seven divisions, cementing his place in boxing history as one of the sport’s all-time immortals.