Pacquiao will make another history

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

I WAS wrong when I predicted Juan Manuel Marquez will win his second battle against Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. Although in my belief Marquez won—or at least earned a draw— in that monumental and classic encounter of the world’s best two 130-pounders, I have to respect the verdict of two of the three judges. “Majority wins” as the saying goes.

But that’s water under the bridge. We have to focus this time on Paquiao’s next fight, exactly four weeks from now, against World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight king David Diaz, another Mexican idol who dominates the 135-pound division.

And as an avid boxing aficionado and also a boxer during my early 20s, I can’t help but give another fearless forecast anent these two world renowned prizefighters.

World-famous sports columnist Jim Murray of the Los Angeles Times once said, “one of the most difficult things in being a sports writer is to predict the outcome of any sporting event.”

And he’s very right because predictions put the reputation and credibility of a sports writer at stake.

Once you make a wrong forecast, you could be put down too.

But I’m not one of those pseudo writers who make predictions verbally, especially during rounds of beers, but are afraid to print their prognosis for fear they could be wrong. It’s all about ego.

I am not afraid to be wrong.

And I’m predicting this time that Pacquiao will be victorious against Diaz, either by knockout or by decision. Although the two pugs are similar in size and in power, I’m picking Pacman to win because he’s more agile and has a better combination of punches than the Chicago-resident Diaz.

And if Pacman is successful, he will be the first Filipino boxer to capture the world lightweight diadem and the first Asian fighter to wear four world titles.

He will achieve that which the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde set out to do but failed.

Elorde reigned as the world junior lightweight champion for a record of seven years and demolished all his top contenders, and went to the weight of 135 pounds and challenged defending titlist Carlos Ortiz from Puerto Rico twice.

And twice he flopped, losing both fights via knockout in the late 60’s.

After those two memorable fights which I believe gave Elorde some clefts and lessons, Elorde was no longer the Elorde that we knew before. He deteriorated and eventually lost his tiara to Hiroshi Kobayashi of Japan and also to Jaguar Kakizawa in his comeback attempt.

I’m hoping that what happened to the great Cebuano boxer Elorde will not happen to the Gen. Santos City-born Paquiao come June 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

There is a sports adage that says “records are made and to be broken” and I believe Pacquiao will do it this time.

His triumph will also be the Filipinos’ victory.

And if Pacquiao wins, we can christen him “the Mexican assassin”.

(Readers may reach columnist at biking.jess@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/
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