Torn between two lovers

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

EVERY time a Filipino boxer fights a Mexican pug, some of my  friends who are boxing buffs pique on me, asking me whom I would pick to win the fight knowing that I’m half Mexican and half Filipino. It’s happening again, these same people have challenged me for a P1,000-bet which I turned down because I’m not really a gambler, unlike them.

But these amigos of mine were a bit dumbfounded when I told them that this time I’m picking Manny Pacquiao to win the match against David Diaz for the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight crown. And because they are inveterate bettors and well-known sabungeros in my town, it surprised me also to know that they are for Diaz. And so in the end we have agreed to a bet of two cases of beer, for just for fun – I for Manny, and they for Diaz.

The piquing and teasing by these friends of mine started in 1997 when our very own Tondo-born former WBC featherweight champion Luisito Espinosa fought Mexican Alejandrito “Cobra” Gonzales. Espinosa, a legally adopted son of Dagupan City, won that clash via fourth round knockout held at San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A. to retain his crown.

But in the end, Espinosa lost his tiara to another Mexican named Gutty Espadas. I also lost that time because I picked him again to win.

Like what I said in my previous article picking the Chicano Juan Manuel Marquez to be the victor, I was wrong, but I will stand by what I saw, especially after viewing a recording of the battle five times over, that it should have ended a draw.

I’m choosing Pacquiao this time around to win because he’s more agile than Diaz. Power to power I weighed them even.

In boxing, agility is also very essential. You could easily outbox and outmaneuver an opponent if you have rapid punches and briskness just like what Muhammad Ali did during his monumental encounters with Sonny Liston and George Foreman to seize the crown. Ali, the heavy underdog, astonished the world. His lightning speed plus a ‘telling’ punch made him the greatest prizefighter of all times. Remember, that was also his best weapon during the 1960 Rome Olympic Games to win the gold medal in the light heavyweight division.

And I am guessing the same will happen to Diaz. Before Diaz could lunch his killing punch, Pacquiao would have already landed his own arsenals and that would make the big difference. The only way Diaz could win would be a lucky-solid punch that will wink the eyes of Pacman and then a follow-up.

But let’s wait and see. Mahirap magsalita ng patapos, ‘ika nga.

And if Pacquiao triumphs, he will be the only Filipino to wrest the world lightweight diadem, a feat that his compatriots, including the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, failed to achieve. And he will also be the only Asian prizefighter to win four world crowns in different divisions, the WBC flyweight, International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight and his newly crown the WBC super featherweight.

By the time you read this piece, maybe the fight is in progress or already over.

I strongly believe I will be drunk come Sunday for the victory.

* * * * * *

 My congratulations to the two Pangasinenses who passed the test for national amateur officiating and became members of ‘pool of referees’ for the newly founded amateur basketball league called “Liga ng Pilipinas.” To Mr. Robert Amado Jr. of Sta. Barbara and William Manaois of Mangaldan, I doff my hat to you. Keep up the good work and always be professional.

(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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