Why Pacquiao is still better than most fighters

MANILA -- Yes, we didn’t see Manny Pacquiao knock out Jessie Vargas although we did witness him decking his the Mexican-American, who is 10 years younger than him.

So what makes the 37-year-old Filipino superstar much better than many boxers out there?

Fight analyst Ed Tolentino explained that Pacquiao’s ability to evolve has contributed to his longevity in the sport.

Pacquiao may not be the fearsome warrior of old, but Tolentino said he still carries the crunch in his punches.

“The thing with Manny Pacquiao, even though he has depreciated, the depreciation has not been rock bottom,” the analyst explained on ANC.

“Let's say he's 70 percent of what he used to be and that 70 percent is still more than enough to handle limited guys like Jessie Vargas, who is still lacking in experience.”

Pacquiao has been fighting professionally for more than two decades now and has compiled 59 wins in 67 fights.

But Tolentino said the Pacquiao of old is vastly different compared to the current Pacquiao. Gone is the reckless fighter who made a name for himself by toppling some of the big names in the sport like Oscar De la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Miguel Cotto.

“He started out as a heavy puncher, a gung ho slugger,” explained the fight commentator. “We will never see the reckless Pacquiao, because in the aftermath of that Juan Manuel Marquez holocaust, Pacquiao has been more cautious in recklessly lunging in.”

“We will see a cautious Pacquiao but just the same, Pacquiao remains tough to beat in my opinion.”

Tolentino also cautioned fight fans from expecting the Filipino superstar to turn back time as he is already past his prime.

"We will never see the vintage Manny Pacquiao. We will never see the old Pacquiao because a 37-year-old Pacquiao is not a 27-year-old Pacquiao."

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