Yuri Foreman ‘Pacquiao is such a great fighter, he’s the pound for pound best’

Over the last few months we’ve heard a voice of criticism claiming that Manny Pacquiao had avoided or ducked Yuri Foreman after the Floyd Mayweather Jr fight talks fell through. In a recent interview, Yuri Foreman spoke about his feelings toward Manny Pacquiao and the supposed ducking. Let’s examine the comments further.

“And Pacquiao, listen, is such a great fighter in my eyes. Really, he's pretty much the pound-for-pound best. And that's a great compliment when it's coming from him that he's considering me as a fighter or an opponent. That's a great honor” Yuri Foreman, Fanhouse


“Is such a great fighter in my eyes. Really, he's pretty much the pound-for-pound best”

When your contemporaries start saying that you’re the best pound-for pound fighter then that speaks volumes. Yuri is an exciting fighter who is respectful enough to acknowledge Manny’s greatness unlike the supposed critics who claim Manny avoided Yuri.


“And that's a great compliment when it's coming from him that he's considering me as a fighter or an opponent. That's a great honor.”

Anson Williams Sacramento, CA “Did Manny really avoid Yuri Foreman?”

Do these comments from Yuri Foreman sound like a fighter who feels like Manny has ducked him or avoided him? Don’t you think that if Yuri really felt disrespected by being ducked, wouldn't we have heard about it by now? I absolutely don't think Manny avoided Yuri in any way.

Douglas Hansen Sacramento, CA “How come Manny didn’t fight Yuri Foreman instead of Clottey?”

It’s public knowledge by now that Manny has a hard time putting on weight and keeping it on. Manny has a difficult time just getting up to 147 pounds. Naturally, he’s probably closer to the 140 pound weight. However, asking him to jump up to 154 to fight Foreman is asking a lot. To get a fight ready against a world champion of Yuri Foreman, at a higher weight class in the short period of time after the failed fight with Mayweather, would have been asking too much for too soon. I’m not saying this fight couldn’t happen down the road when there’s more time to prepare. Let’s see how Yuri does with Miguel Cotto first.

Conclusion

If Yuri Foreman doest feel avoided or slighted in any way, then Manny’s critics shouldn't either. Foreman is nothing but respectful toward Manny which is a refreshing thing these days in the sport of boxing. These critics who claim Manny avoided Yuri can now put this wild notion to rest.

Author: Rick Rockwell

Source: examiner.com