Sports Eye
Lousy, dull and boring
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
WE saw how our national treasure in boxing Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight belt to the haughty American pug Floyd “Money” Mayweather via unanimous decision last Sunday. The three judges scored a lopsided verdict, 118-110, 116-112, 116-112, that caused an uproar from pro-Pacman’s fans all over the world especially from our compatriots. Many say the scoring was manipulated by the unseen hands of Mafia, similar to what happened to the Pacquiao-Bradley first fight.
I’m not an expert in boxing scoring but can’t help but share the sentiment of Pacman’s followers. In fact I scored the fight 114-113 for the Sarangani congressman. And in case it was a mistake at least it should be a draw. To me, the score of the three judges simply too good to be true. ‘ika nga. In fact Money’s father and trainer Floyd Sr. admitted that it should have been a close count in favor for his son.
The verdict even became more suspicious when Pacman said he believed he won the clash during the post-fight interview. He said what Money did mostly was to run, hug and dance. Since we consider Pacman as our hero and obviously the loud din that followed was understandable, then and until now.
“He was paid $120M for the fight and should have fought like a real warrior to prove that he’s really the number one pound-for-pound king or the ‘greatest boxer ever,’ but he did nothing close to it,” said Jojo Lagera of Mangaldan. I agree. In fact even former world champions Mike Tyson and Oscar de la Hoya were aghast and disgusted with the way Mayweather fought. The two did not have any negative comments about Pacman knowing that the Filipino boxing icon dictated the tempo like what they did during their fights during their prime.
“We are not blind and the ring adjudicators were obviously biased for their countryman. I think they cannot accept the reality that an Asian living in a impoverish nation can handle a guy from a first world country,” echoed Alexander Almonte Aquino also from Mangaldan.
“The three judges have agreed on new rules in professional boxing, that hugging, running and dancing earn vital points now,” Rolly Sotelo of Bauang, La Union added. “Maybe Money thought he needed the fight with Pacquiao to help him train for the Boston Marathon.” LOL!
Boxing analyst Hermie Rivera, the former trainer and manager of ex-world titlists Luisito Espinosa (featherweight) and Morris East (junior welterweight), also did not agree with the scoring, saying that Pacman was the winner.
Of course, there is nothing that anyone can do now. We can only wait if a rematch (if there’s any) is in the offing. But that will be a year from now because our national sports hero will have to undergo surgery and will expectedly be sidelined for at least a year to completely recuperate.
The promoters billed the much-awaited showdown as “Fight of the Century.” But it was simply a “Money of the Century” because of the big purses that the two protagonists received, breaking all the records since professional boxing was born in this planet. To me, the Thrilla in Manila in 1975 held at Araneta Coliseum between heavyweights Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier was really the Fight of the Century.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. JAMES 1: 2-4
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