Sports Eye

Pacman vs Canelo?

Jess Garcia

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

THE long wait is finally over. The nation’s electorate has already spoken and their verdict should be accepted and respected. And as predicted by many (including this writer), the Filipino national sports treasure Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao won a senatorial seat, landing seventh, as of this writing (May 12). Thanks to God. Hopefully he will head the committee on sports in the senate and will push for the creation of a Department of Sports or Sports Academy that other countries have. I believe this is the best way, if not the only way, to improve the capabilities and skills of our athletes, especially our members of our national teams.

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We saw on TV last May 8 how the Mexican world middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez scored a sixth round sensational knockout victory over former Pacman’s sparring partner, British contender Amir Khan. The knockout was so ugly, similar to how Pacman flattened the overconfident Briton Ricky Hatton on May, 2009, and also how the “The Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire, Jr. knocked out Mexican Fernando Montiel cold on February 2011. It likewise reminded me of how Juan Manuel Marquez kayoed Pacman in their fourth fight that stunned the world. These were the top four horrible world title fights during this generation that I will never ever forget in my life.

Pacman officially retired after his convincing victory over Timothy Bradley, Jr. last month, and is now a full-time politician. I say a full-time politician because his constituents are no longer limited to his district in Sarangani province, where he is still a congressman. But rumors are rife that that Senator-elect Pacman will come out from retirement and plans to fight Canelo for the WBC (World Boxing Council) middleweight crown in a catch weight of 154 pounds. Backroom negotiations I learned are ongoing.

I do believe that the style of Canelo is really suited for Pacman. And if the plan pushes through, I guess Pacman will win and will break his own record to be the first boxer in the universe to win nine world crowns in different classes. Yes, I’m half-Mexican and half-Filipino and should stand neutral like I was when Pacman fought Mexicans like Gabriel Mira, Emmanuel Lucero, Marquez, Jorge Solis, Hector Velasquez, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar Larios, David Diaz, Oscar de la Hoya and Brandon Rios. But this time I’ll root for Pacman. Record-to-record says the Guadalajara born Canelo, 25, has a better accomplishment toting 47 wins and 33 of them via the short route. His only loss was in the hands of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (also Pacman’s conqueror) on September, 2013 and a draw against fellow Mexican Jorge Juarez on June 2006, while the Kibawe, Bukidnon-born Pacquiao, 37, has a total of 66 fights with 58 victories 38 of them via knockouts and with two losses. Canelo said he’s aiming to unify the middleweight crown by fighting IBF/ IBO/ WBA titlist Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan. But the purse is not so tempting unlike if he fights Pacman when the prize is irresistible. Anyway, it’s just a plan and hopefully, it pushes through.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. JAMES 1: 5-6

(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)

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