Pacquiao Fans Outraged By Catchweight Stance
By Juan Angel Zurita (June 19, 2009) - Earlier this week I wrote an article where I stated that if Manny Pacquiao convinces established welterweights Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley to face him for their welterweight titles at any weight below 147 (welterweight limit), he should be criticized just like many have criticized Oscar De La Hoya throughout his career for performing similar catchweight tactics.
Apparently, the stance I took didn’t bode well with Pacquiao supporters.
A significant number of Pacquiao fanatics respectfully countered with arguments that Pacquiao is the exception because unlike those fighters he’s a smaller fighter tackling bigger challenges. Therefore, Pacquiao requiring the catchweight is simply a way to create a level playing field.
When De La Hoya fought Hopkins for middleweight supremacy, De La Hoya made Hopkins face him at a catchweight of 158 lbs. Hopkins was clearly the bigger man and De La Hoya hoped the agreed upon concession would weaken Hopkins thus giving him an advantage in the ring.
I had always been a De La Hoya supporter, but a part of me felt he was cheapening the intended accomplishment.
However, in light of recent reflection, I curbed my sentiment regarding this subject. Call it a vision, edification, confucius enlightenment.
After deep ponderance, I concluded that De La Hoya wasn’t cheapening the intended accomplishment. De La Hoya, the much smaller man, was just looking for peace of mind through having a perceived advantage going into the bout. Some of the greats have been known to do this. And honestly, it’s a very intelligent tactic to use. Not many fighters have had that type of wielding power and the few who have are some of the greatest fighters to ever come around.
In Pacquiao’s case, it’s not quite Armstrongesque, yet it’s still quite a feat considering that Pacquiao captured his first world title at flyweight.
All that said, it is extremely imperative that we take into consideration the level of opponent being fought at the catchweight.
Facing Miguel Cotto, a battle-tested, proven, top welterweight, at a catchweight is impressive either way you cut it. Anything over 140 is welterweight, right?
Further, Pacquiao is great, no question, but when is enough, enough?
He’s the only fighter in the history of boxing to ever prove himself as world class from flyweight to junior welterweight. The ride has got to begin to finally end somewhere, right? Why not be cautious?
He’s a rare breed indeed.
Despite the fact that he won his first title at flyweight, the smallest original eight divison of em’ all, in recent years Pacquiao has completely annhiliated the latter part of Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s resume.
That’s scary impressive.
More impressively, by facing Cotto, he’ll once again upstage Mayweather by facing a fighter Mayweather previously avoided at all costs. If he wins in devastating fashion, will Mayweather even sign the contract if he gets by Marquez?
By the way, if Pacquiao is the new ‘Duran’, shouldn’t his Leonard, Hagler, and Hearns be out there? Perhaps he’s already faced a few of them? The names Barrera, Morales, Mayweather, Marquez, Mosley, and Cotto all sound extremely respectful, don’t they?
That’s definitely something to think about.
Bring on Pacquiao/Cotto.
Hold up now, We’re talking as though Pacquiiao had been using these catchweights to his advantages. When Pac fought de la hoya at a catchweight of 147 it was dela hoya’s decision to fight at that weight not Pac. It was certainly the goldenboy that called all the shots and remember he is the goldenboy therefore he could’ve fought anybody he wanted to. All Pac did was take on the challenge and when he beat, people still found ways to ridicule the man when we should all just be thankful that he was brave enough to tackle such feat to give boxing fans a great fight.
Now with Hatton, Pac proved just how great of a fighter he is by beating Hatton at his weight which he ruled for so many years. He completely dismantled a man who had never loss at that weight and what’s more amazing is that he did it with such ease. Now can u imagine what he would do to to guys at his weight?!?
And now that Pacquiao is looking for a greater challenge by fighting the bigger welterweights, people are still complaining about this so called catchweights. I understand though why that is so, it’s simply because people want to see greatness at work and witness what we may never will in a hundred years to come and that’s to see pacquiao conquer the impossible. So lets give the man a break and acknowledge what he’s done and continue to do. I for one want to see Pac beat everyone at their own weight but it’s not my life that’s on the line….
Pacquiao is 140. Cotto, Mosley, Mayweather are 147. You want to see a fight between Pacquiao and any of these guys? Meet him at a catchweight. Otherwise, forget it.
I agree with some of the comments that there shouldn’t be a catch weight, it should be at 147 at fight night.
oscar, for you all pacquiao fans are idiots, so how about hollywood stars such as denzel washington and mark wahlberg, presidents like gloria macapagal arroyo, boxing writers like d’source, michael marley and dan rafael? Are they also idiots?
wow the writer showing his greatness of true journalism and profissionalism. great very ecellent one you give us your attention we the boxing fans give the life of boxing we did our part and you did your part very well, showing to us your respect towarsds us . fans.. though we intitled to our own openion hence we’re living in free country but what make as amaze when someone showing respects to one another because i do believed to rest of my life that, “my respect it’s beggins with your respects” and for those who are disclaimer i hope the author inlightend your mind. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Yeah, there should be no catch weight.. So if they want to fight the Pac-man, let them go down to 140…
I agree to the comments that a fighter going to a higher weight division, should be allowed to fight at a catch weight. I am an avid “PACMAN” fan and I consider myself # 1 Fanatic in New Jersey. Since Pacquiao vs Marquez 1, I never missed his live fights. Mannny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto , should be allowed to fight at a catch weight of 144 lbs to make the playing field even. By the way we were at the live fight at Madison Sq. Garden, last Saturday June 13, Cotto/Clottey fight and I believe Miguel showed a tremendous heart . On Calderon/Mayol fight, I think the stoppage was a little premature. The cut on Cotto’s eye was more dangerous than Calderon’s cut on the top of the head. If the fight was I allowed to contnue I think Mayol, could have score an upset. The need to fight again. To our friend Goody and Gerry “FEARLESS” Penalosa, regards and see you on “Pacquiao/Cotto” fight. To the administrator, Thank You for allowing me to post.
I think this article is better than the previous one. It’s a fact that bigger guys has an advantage over the smaller guys. To take a least a little of that advantage, there has to be a catchweight. With regards to Cotto, he was 146 in his last fight (vs. Clottey), Going down 2 pounds from his last fight is not too much to ask from him.
agree..
Ps. The problem isn’t the catch weight.
It’s Arum and Roach making fighters enter the ring at the same weight they way in at.
Oscar was 15 pounds lighter than his classic 147 weight.
As would Cotto.
It’s bull,if he wants to fight for the welterweight title,he should fight Cotto at 147 pds,not at some stupid catch weight.Besides who said Pacman would have to come in at 147,he could come in at 144-145 lbs.When PBF fought Oscar at 154,he weighed 150 lbs.If you have the skills to beat some one weight should not be an issue.the only person this is going to effect is cotto,cause its easier to put on weight than lose it.