A win, like a rose by any other name, will always smell sweet

By Al S. Mendoza

AGAIN, it happened.  No knockout win for Manny Pacquiao.

It marked the fourth straight time in his last 15 fights—all victorious—that Pacquiao could “only” win on points.

He defeated Joshua Clottey by unanimous decision in 12 rounds in 2009 because Clottey covered his face for practically 12 rounds as though he was being tried in court for raping the dog of Lady Gaga.

Then Pacquiao battered Antonio Margarito for 12 rounds — with a callous referee allowing it pathetically to happen.

The referee had refused to stop the fight as early as the 10th round even as Margarito was already profusely bleeding as a result of a battered face that Pacquiao had literally, almost, rearranged.

And then in May, Pacquiao also decisioned Shane Mosley when Mosley chose to dance away from harm’s way after kissing the canvass in the third round.

And now this, Marquez escaping a knockout loss — all because he basically refused to mix it up from Round 1 the way he did in 2004 (draw) and 2008 (split decision win for Pacquiao).

Rightfully, because he was the non-aggressor when he was merely the challenger, Marquez lost it by majority decision.

The Mexican fans booed the result — but, of course!

Of all of boxing’s crowd, it is the Mexican variety that can’t accept defeat — next only to the Koreans.

There are among us who didn’t also like the result but then, that’s being petty.

The win smelled sweet – as in a rose, by any other name, will always smell sweet.

And take this: Pacquiao had wanted to finish off Marquez.

But how can one achieve that goal when the foe isn’t very willing to engage in a toe-to-toe combat with regularity?

It was only practically in the last five rounds that the match had started heating up — again, only because Pacquiao had lost patience and waded through risks and a rain of punches just so he could land that haymaker.

But give credit to Marquez.  He came prepared – prepared to keep his record of not having been knocked out in his past 59 fights going to Sunday’s bout.

Thus, Marquez basically fought a defensive stance – a drastic change from his bullying, barreling style in the past.

Anyway, below is a letter from my dear friend, the Los Angeles-based Kuya Leonie Galvez. Enjoy:

“Al,

“You’re right.

 “A WIN, IS A WIN, IS A WIN ! ! !

“I must add:

 “A loss, is a loss, is a loss ! ! !

“For the third time in a row, Marquez complains, ‘I wuz robbed.’

“If there is a fourth one, I suggest that Marquez brings his own judges with his trainer as alternate.

“These people are cry babies.

“Seriously, if I were Manny, I’ll not fight Marquez anymore. He has nothing to prove. He won. He already made history.

“Mayweather is the logical opponent. From the grapevine, I heard that May 5 has been reserved for the biggest boxing event.

 “Inisin si Marquez. Agto la lalabanan.

“Three is enough.

“Your Manila Standard 11/14/11 All The Way is a must reading material for those who entertain doubts about Manny’s victory.

“Yours sincerely,

“Kuya Leonie JG.”

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