Pacquiao gets 'Sugar Ray points' for skill, showmanship

Several lists drawn up by sports writers put Manny Pacquiao as the No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer in the world, next only to super lightweight champ Floyd Mayweather. But one writer, Brett Conway of maxboxing.com, puts the Pambansang Kamao (Filipino for "National Fist") on top of his list – because of what he calls "Sugar Ray points." Conway explains: "I like to put a fighter on top of the pound per pound list not just because of his enormous talent but because of his ability to put on a great show when all eyes are watching as Sugar Ray Leonard once did... As Sugar Ray knew, talent isn’t enough in our showbiz world. As anyone following boxing knows, talent isn’t enough when more and more turn to the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship): in boxing, a little pizzazz is also needed." In other words, Pacquiao has both skill and showmanship, which is what makes boxing such a great spectator sport. Sugar Ray Leonard himself has great respect for Pacquiao's boxing skills. In fact, the four-time welterweight champ was among the celebrities who attended the prefight press con of Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas, where their rematch is scheduled on Sunday (Philippine time). In an interview with Chino Trinidad, who is covering the event for GMA News, Leonard said: "Pacquiao is one of the tremendously efficient boxers that I've seen. I mean, he goes from one to 200 miles per hour, you know, in two seconds." But he also warned Pacquiao to be careful, saying: "One punch could change the whole complexion of the fight." Leonard's interview was aired on Thursday in GMA's 24 Oras. - GMANews.TV