Pacquiao’s victory ensures senate seat

By Jesus A. Garcia, Jr.

 

WE boxing avid fans watched how our national sports treasure Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao demolished his arch-foe Timothy Bradley, Jr. by knocking him down twice to earn a convincing and unquestionably unanimous victory to capture the WBO (World Boxing Organization) international welterweight belt. During the post-fight interview he quickly said “Yes, I’m retired now and I’m not sure if I will return to the ring again.” I’ll define his sentence to mean that he will enjoy his retirement first, and he will return to the ring later, maybe at least a year. Yes, nobody is taking his words seriously (including this writer) especially those in the boxing venture like his promoter Bob Arum that Pacman will hang up his gloves for good. Pacquiao said he’ll devote his time to his family and to his new chosen career as a senator, if he wins. Many say, particularly, my media friends Jun Velasco and Alex Tulao and balikbayan Alfredo Dawana that the victory of Pacman over Bradley last April 10 will surely catapult him to a senate seat. I agree with them. That’s also my perception. I might eat my words, but I believe I won’t, that the ‘sculpted-stomach’ Pacquiao will eventually land on the top ten comes May 9 this year. I can bet a thousand pesos on that.

Athletes whom I’ve talked to before his third battle against Bradley especially the basketball and volleyball players, cyclists, boxers, runners, swimmers, to name some, all said that they will vote for him for giving the Filipino people a new “radiating source of honor and pride,” for being the only boxer in the universe to win eight world crowns in different divisions. And because he won last Sunday. But without a doubt, Filipinos are also sad for his announcement of retirement although experts say that at his age (37 years old) he’s still capable to win another world crown if ever he changes his mind. Arum told some Filipino reporters that if Pacquiao decides to return to the ring, there will be a room reserved for him and his most likely opponent will be the middleweight world champ Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Mexico in a catch-weight of 154 pounds.

The clamor of some boxing fans, however, is a rematch with the flamboyant and the undefeated Floyd Mayweather, Jr. But I think if ever that pushes through, that could no longer be marketable because of what happened in their first fight that turned to be dull with Pacman losing via unanimous decision. We saw the unimpressive and unconvincing clash that made spectators go home unhappy and disgusted yet was the richest fight in the history of world boxing. Sure, both are retired now and but can make a comeback together and do battle again but I guess with less purses for both.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 1 CORINTHIANS: 31-32

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