By Recah Trinidad
Inquirer
LAS VEGAS–The great Sugar Ray Leonard said he would not be surprised if Manny Pacquiao, whom he admires, wins inside six rounds.
“He’s a tremendous puncher, with great speed and boundless stamina,” said Leonard, who was part of the main cast in Thursday’s press conference.
He said he’s amazed at Pacquiao’s work ethic that includes endless labors resulting in undiminished power until the final bell.
* * *
But, hey, better watch out, Leonard warned, his famous marble eyes lighting up. Slower but sharper could also make a world of difference, he tried to explain.
“One big shot could turn a fight around, just one big shot,” he said slowly and clearly.
Sugar Ray, of course, knew whereof he spoke. He was obviously referring to that classic light heavyweight fight of his against Danny Lelonde in 1988.
* * *
Leonard, bloodied and beaten, was hopelessly behind on points. Everything had turned sour for the sleek, sweet-punching Sugar. Everybody had given up on him.
But, in a rare, magical moment close to the end, he saw a rare opening.
Sugar Ray’s dull, lightless eyes suddenly widened, cleared and brightened.
He summoned all the pent-up power and, in one great heave, snapped a spear of a right that landed with the deathly snap of a baseball bat on Lelonde’s uncovered face.
The victim tipped over like a log.
* * *
The referee, as could only be expected, no longer saw it fit to proceed with the required knockout toll.
Not that Sugar Ray hoped this would happen in the Pacquiao-Barrera encounter on Saturday here.
He admired Pacquiao so much he could only wish the best things for him.
“But he must remain focused,” Leonard, in a fatigue shirt, carrying a blue back-pack like an ordinary stranger, continued. “The thing for Pacquiao is to follow his fight plan, no matter what. Forget about television, don’t mind the crowd, do your job.”
* * *
No, he didn’t come exactly to offer advice. He was part of a subsidiary promotion that was tied up with the Pacquiao-Barrera card.
Of course, Leonard did not hide the fact that he, too, has become interested about the Philippines because of Pacquiao.
“I really want to go there,” he said as Filipino fans, one after another, clawed for a picture with him.
It came to a point when the over-excited fans were already climbing on his back.
* * *
“You mean only 12 hours, one plane ride to the Philippines,” Sugar Ray wondered smiling.
“Just one plane ride.”
“What about the weather?”
“Tropical, wet and dry.”
“You mean there’s no winter?”
“No, only sun and rain.”
* * *
Anyway, Sugar Ray had to be warned, in return, that he might not find time to enjoy his projected trip to the Philippines.
“Look at these fans now all monkeying on your back?”
“What about?” he asked again.
“There would be millions of them all over there.”
“No problem, I’d love it that way, but did you say there’s no winter out there.”
“No, but we’ve the finest summers in the world.”
“What do you mean?”
“We have the greatest sea resorts, corals, unforgettable days in the sun, endless white-sand beaches, some smooth as talcum powder.”
“Oh, shucks. Forget it.”
End of conversation.
