Manny Pacquiao Needs To Commit To Boxing 100% Again

By Scoop Malinowski

It’s exceedingly clear by now that Manny Pacquiao is not a full-time boxer anymore. He has too many side interests and activities ranging from serving as a Congressman, operating various businesses including a broccoli enterprise, singing, TV, family, philanthropy, etc.

Here is a quote from the boxing legend Max Schmeling from his autobiography by George Van Der Lippe:  ”…From the very start of my career, it was clear to me that achievement was built on discipline. Accomplishment in sports demands the commitment of one’s entire self…morally, intellectually, and spiritually. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, live life according to a stricter diet. A slight delay in reaction time, a letdown in exact timing, a deficient punch or the famous glass jaw can cost one a career despite all the sacrifice. In the ring and elsewhere, it’s intelligence that is the decisive factor. With tactics and strategy, even a less physically gifted boxer can outmaneuver a giant.”

Pacquiao is not devoting his entire self to boxing any more. And it showed on Saturday night in Las Vegas with the unimpressive performance against Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao won the fight but he didn’t win it decisively or convincingly. Some ring observers feel Marquez was the victor.

If Manny Pacquiao wants to be the best he will have to re-commit himself to boxing 100% again. Or it will be just a matter of time before he gets beaten up and knocked out like two other living legends who diminished themselves into part-time boxers – Oscar De La Hoya and Roy Jones Jr.

“No one can serve two masters.”

“The man who chases two rabbits catches none.”

If he’s fortunate, Manny Pacquiao has maybe two more years left in his physical athletic prime. Time is precious. He must re-devote himself again now to the sport of boxing like he used to do – if he can. If Manny Pacquiao can’t make that sacrifice, the beginning of the end has begun…

Scoop’s second book “Marcelo Rios: The Man We Barely Knew” is available at Amazon.com