Manny Pacquiao & The Lightweight Division

Manny Pacquiao, the current #1 pound for pound fighter in the world, had changed the entire landscape of the lightweight division with his recent move up and total domination of David Diaz. Pacquiao is now the WBC Lightweight Champion. It is a belt that means very little, but his presence alone has made things very interesting in a division that is already loaded with talent. It may in facer be the second deepest division in boxing, second only to the great Welterweight Division. Clearing this division will not be an easy task for boxing’s best fighter in the world.

During his Lightweight campaign, Pacquiao will have to deal with current 3 belt champion Nate Campbell. Campbell is a veteran who has returned to relevance after becoming champion. There is also the threat of the man Campbell beat to win the belts, “The Baby Bull” Juan Diaz. Jaun Diaz is a two-fisted come forward body puncher that could prove to be too naturally big for Pacquiao. Joan Guzman, who challenged Nate Campbell for his belts in September, also posses a great threat to Pacquiao’s dominance. Michael Katsidis, the Australian Brawler, could give Pacquiao tons of problems. Yes indeed, Pacquiao has entered a division loaded with talent and they will not all be as easy as David Diaz was.

Waiting in the wings down the road for Pacquiao is the only champion that matter in this division. The Linear Champion, Joel Casamayor. Casamayor is a slick, quick handed boxer that can frustrate and annoy Pacquiao. One things for sure, Casamayor will not keep coming forward and he will not stand right in front of Pacquiao. A fight between these two great warriors would be huge for the lightweight division.

Perhaps the most intriguing fight for Pacquiao comes from an old rival looking for revenge. Jaun Manuel Marquez. Marquez has decided to move up in weight and follow Pacquiao into the Lightweight division. There two share a very unique history. They have met twice before. In their first fight, Pacquiao dominated the first round with 3 huge knockdowns. The victory looked evident for the fighting pride of the Philippines, but in perhaps one of the greatest comebacks in the history of boxing, Marquez battled back, won rounds, and forced a draw. In their second fight, a 3rd round knockdown proved to be the difference in a ridiculously close decision victory for Pacquiao. Despite the knockdown, many people believed Marquez won the fight. In fact, in their two fights Marquez has won more rounds. If not for the 4 knockdowns Marquez may have won both fights and that legend of Manny Pacquiao may have drastically changed. A third fight between these two amazing warriors would be epic. And to add more fuel to the fire, Juan Manuel Marquez will challenge Linear Champion Joel Casamayor in November of this year.

There are other options for Pacquiao. There is a lucrative bout with 140lb king Ricky Hatton. Should Pacquiao get this fight, there will be a shift in activity for the lightweights. However, Manny Pacquiao is an active fighter and will not wait around for a Hatton decision to be made. There are already talks of Pacquiao fighting Lightweight Edwin Valero, a fighter that has made his legend mainly through sources such as Youtube. He is 24-0 with 24 Knockouts, 19 of which have come in a row in the first round. He is a scary prospect.

Despite what Pacquiao does in the near future, he has already made his impact. Pacquiao has changed the landscape of the Lightweight Division and it is fitting that he became boxing’s #1 pound for pound fighter in the world around the same time. The next couple of years are going to provide us with the thrills and chills that is seriously lacking from the Heavyweight division. I for one cannot wait.