"Pacquiao's Rights": Right knee alright; Right hand hitting like dynamite

In his fight against David Diaz, HBO analyst Larry Merchant made a comment about Manny Pacquiao's improved right fist saying that the once one-handed Filipino bomber used to only have the "left stuff" but has added the "right stuff" now.

HBO's ringside scorecard judge Harold Lederman who was also observing the fight said,

"I can't remember a southpaw who can throw four, five right hands before he pulls his right hand back. Incredible! He throws a hook, a jab, an uppercut right before he pulls his hand back. It's amazing. Roy Jones used to do it with a left hand but this kid is amazing with that right hand."

Well that was more than a year ago. After proving it's potency against Ricky Hatton when he tasted "Manila Ice" (the name Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach gave for the right hook) in the first round that knocked the British star down last May, Pacquiao right hand is looking more lethal than ever. Insiders I have spoken to who have witnessed Pacquiao's training sessions this week have told me that Pacquiao unleashes his right more often and at more angles than ever before similar to what he did in the Diaz fight. In this Youtube video below, Pacquiao sent his trainer's mitts flying with a swift right.



Roach has worked hard to improve Pacquiao's right hand and is the main reason of the fighter's ascension as the best fighter in the game. His opponents can't expect devastating punches from one angle anymore as Pacquiao has proven his right can equally blow away his opponent. But against Cotto, it might very well be the fastest and strongest we'll ever see the punch hit.

Also, Pacquiao's right knee is said to be just fine. Roach and strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza have not changed anything with their routines and that the appearance of the black knee brace on Pacquiao's right knee is not more than precautionary measure. And with the way Pacquiao is moving and shaping up, I have a feeling we will see the best Pacquiao yet on November 14.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10947-Indianapolis-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m11d2-Pacquiaos-Rights-Right-hand-looking-dynamite-No-injury-to-right-knee