IT’S NOW only less than 24 hours before eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao takes on undefeated Jeff Horn in Brisbane in what is dubbed “The Biggest Fight” in Australian boxing history.
The excitement is creeping, but the leadup to every Pacquiao fight always has the same recurrent verse: predictions and pre-fight fearless forecasts.
It’s not surprising. Every time a bout of this magnitude takes place, expect a frenzy of opinion brought by boxing analysts from legitimate pundits to the local inebriated tatang.
And every Pacquiao fight is a mega fight. So let the “experts” weigh in just before the Pacman and Jeff lock horns this Sunday.
“Di ko gaano kilala talaga ‘yung makakalaban ni Pacquiao. Pero dahil para sa Filipino pride, kay Pacman tayo!”—Crisal Jay Sabinorio, Manila
“Palagay ko Manny pa rin. Pacquiao via decision. Kasi nandu’n pa rin naman ‘yung bilis ni Manny although ‘yung lakas ng suntok niya medyo wala na.”—Clarence Reyes, Antipolo
“Ako siguro kay Horn ako dito. Mas bata talaga eh. Tumatanda na rin si Pacquiao. Unanimous win for Horn siguro.”—Joshua Lao, Manila
“Sa tingin ko experience ang mananaig. Kay Pacquiao ako siyempre. Aabot ng 12 rounds pero sa huli, Pacquiao ang panalo sa scorecards.”—Marcleowen Clutario, Quezon City
“Pacman ‘yan! Round 10 KO!”—Abraham Valle
“’Di ko masyado alam ang galaw ni Horn pero ang rinig ko undefeated pa rin daw. Feel ko Jeff Horn ito. Close fight hanggang huli.”—Danica Alfaro, Makati
“Horn. Tale of the tape lamang na lamang si Horn. Though mas experienced si Pacman magiging factor pa rin ‘yung age nu’ng dalawa. Mataas ‘yung knock out rate ni Horn kaya malaki ‘yung tiyansa na makipagsabayan siya sa suntukan ‘di gaya kay Mayweather at Bradley na istilo. Dehado si Pacman sa ganu’ng style kase kulang sa training.”—Aljhon Amante, Antipolo
“Manny Pacquiao pa rin. Nandoon pa rin ‘yung bilis ni Manny. Sure ako na hindi magpapatalo ‘yun sa mas bata at mas malaki.”—Alexandria San Juan, Pulilan, Bulacan
“’Di ako mapalagay eh. Siguro draw nalang.”—Lorenzo Nicolas, Taytay, Rizal