Boxing: Three Things to Watch in Pacquiao vs. Algieri

Pacquiao vs. Algieri

Energy level

Pacquiao has been the Energizer bunny of boxing ever since he exploded in the American scene a dozen of years ago. Nobody has the level of athleticism and work rate of the current congressman of the Philippines, and it is not unrealistic to assert that he will be remembered, among many other things, for a boxing style that can be described by one word only: relentlessness. He is a bulldozer with a Ferrari engine, and his recovery time after getting hurt or appearing momentarily tired is truly insane. But lately, and quite understandably for a guy who has received the amount of punishing that he has, Pacquiao has been notoriously slower and less explosive than during his best fights. He still manages to outwork his opponents and make them look static in comparison, but it is clear that his overall energy level could finally be losing steam. Whether he “gets old in a hurry” (as it has happened in many boxing careers) during this particular fight, remains to be seen. But some count of biological countdown has certainly begun, and every fight will have to be observed closely for clues about Pacquiao’s ability to sustain his already legendary pace in the ring. And yes, this may also affect his ability to pimp a fight against Mayweather in the near future. Or maybe it will encourage Mayweather further and therefore enhance the chances of actually making that fight. Or maybe not. Who knows?

http://youtu.be/clDdJnfpDNw

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Diego Morilla
Diego Morilla is a boxing writer since 1992. His work has been extensively featured in some of the most prestigious boxing media outlets in Latin America and the U.S., including ESPN.com, The Ring, Latino Boxing, MaxBoxing.com, Lo Mejor del Boxeo, PSN.com, HBO Sports and newspapers such as El Mundo, Primera Hora and El Vocero, among others.