Arum rates Manny among greatest punchers

MANILA, Philippines - Top Rank chairman Bob Arum is convinced that WBO welterweight champion and the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao ranks among the greatest punchers who ever performed in the ring.

During his recent visit to Manila, Arum described why Pacquiao is such a devastating knockout artist. “The way Manny throws his punches, it’s not only the force of the arms that give him power but he puts his entire body weight behind every blow,” said Arum. “It’s like how they do it in martial arts. And Manny does it with speed. That combination of power and speed gives Manny a distinct advantage. It’s rare that a fighter like Manny comes along with his reflexes, speed and power.”

Arum divulged that after Pacquiao badly outclassed Sugar Shane Mosley in Las Vegas last May, the loser said he had never been hit as hard before. That’s of course a tribute to Pacquiao’s punching power because Mosley has battled the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Oscar de la Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Fernando Vargas and Antonio Margarito. Mosley, in fact, wanted to quit on his stool in the late rounds but was dissuaded by trainer Naazim Richardson. He danced away from Pacquiao after taking a trip to the canvas in the third round and refused to engage the rest of the way. Trainer Freddie Roach said Pacquiao should’ve done a better job of cutting the ring off on Mosley but the crafty veteran was determined to end the bout on his feet.

“Mosley told me nobody has hit him harder than Manny,” said Arum. “It was the same thing with (Joshua) Clottey.” Arum referred to the Ghanaian who covered up from start to finish in losing every round to Pacquiao at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas last year.

Arum also noted that Pacquiao has developed a lethal right hand to go with his deadly left, making him a two-fisted bomber. He said Pacquiao’s second round knockout over Ricky Hatton with a single left hook to the jaw was one of the most spectacular one-punch demolition jobs in boxing history. 

Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez, the WBC lightweight champion, has tasted Pacquiao’s power in their two fights in 2004 and 2008. He’ll taste it again when they clash for a third time with the WBO welterweight crown at stake in Las Vegas on Nov. 12. Marquez went down thrice in the first round of their initial meeting and once in the third of their rematch. Despite the knockdowns, Marquez held Pacquiao to a split draw in their first encounter and lost a split decision in the second.

Marquez’ counterpunching style is a problem for Pacquiao because the Mexican unloads as the Filipino comes forward to initiate. Timing is crucial for Pacquiao to throw his bombs and step out of the firing zone before Marquez unleashes. The key is to put pressure on Marquez and constantly beat him to the draw. 

Among the greatest punchers in boxing history were Jack Dempsey, Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Archie Moore, Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, Earnie Shavers, Mike Tyson, George Foreman and Edwin Valero.

Dempsey, a former world heavyweight champion, posted a 32-0 record, with 28 KOs, including 17 in the first round, from 1918 to 1923. Robinson registered 109 KOs and the left hook he used to dispose of Gene Fullmer in 1957 was considered to be the perfect punch. Armstrong, known as Homicide Hank, held titles in three weight classes simultaneously and scored 97 KOs. Moore holds the record for most KOs with 131 and decked Marciano before losing to the unbeaten Brockton slugger in 1955. Marciano retired with a 49-0 record, including 43 KOs, and his right hand was called Susie-Q. Louis had 54 KOs in 69 wins and only three of 25 title challengers went the distance with the Brown Bomber. James J. Braddock, the Cinderella Man, once said, “When you’re hit by Louis, it’s like a lightbulb breaking in your face.” Shavers once scored 27 straight KOs and flattened Ken Norton and Jimmy Ellis in one round. One opponent asked for life insurance coverage from the promoter before entering the ring to face Shavers.

Tyson picked up 44 KOs in 50 wins, including 22 in the first round. Foreman had 68 KOs in 76 victories, including 15 in the opening round. Valero, a former world superfeatherweight and lightweight champion from Venezuela, died last year at the age of 29 with a record of 27-0, with 27 KOs, including 19 in the first stanza.

Pacquiao has scored 38 KOs in 53 wins, including five in the first round over Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym, Seung Kon Chae, Shin Terao, Wook Ki Lee and Mike Luna.