Sports Eye
Sunday mourning
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
IF you’re an avid fan of Mexican boxing legend Juan Manuel Marquez like me, it was a day of mourning for us last Sunday. Marquez, whom I predicted to win (not as a friend but from my personal perspective), failed to wrest the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt by losing in a split decision to titleholder Timothy Bradley. Marquez lost by a hairline because one of the three judges gave him the victory, 115-113. I watched the fight live on cable TV and again the replay twice and I scored it also 115-113 but for Marquez. But I know how to accept defeat and have to respect the decision. The two judges had clearer view being at the ringside.
What happened to Marquez was similar to the judgment received by our very own Manny Pacquiao when he fought this black American fellow in May last year. While Bradley immediately expressed his desire to fight pound-for-pound king and World Boxing Council (WBC) champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Marquez cried “foul” when the verdict was announced and demanded a rematch. Boxing promoter Bob Arum was tight-lipped about it. But what was clear during that slugfest was the aging Marquez, 40, was not the same Marquez that we used to admire during his four clashes against Pacman. His reflexes and agility were slower and his incomparable counter-punching ability, his best weapon in every fight, was not yet totally gone but was less accurate. In short ‘father time’ is beginning to catch up with him and many believe the time is now for him to hang up his gloves before he suffers humiliating defeats in the hands of his leveled counterparts. He’s understandably mum about this issue, perhaps pondering his next life-changing decision. His latest defeat I believe already nixed the plan for a fifth encounter against Pacman because such a bout would no longer be bankable.
If Pacman is lucky to win his meeting with Brandon Rios on November 24, I think Top Rank Promotions czar Bob Arum will not think twice to pit Pacman again against the flamboyant Bradley. That prospect will be another megabucks blockbuster. But if Pacman loses the November 24 fight, then it will likely be Bradley against the pound-for-pound king and WBC (World Boxing Council) titlist Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (also the conqueror of Marquez). It will be a battle of two undefeated ring warriors and one must fall. This could be the ‘fight of the century’ that can surpass the much-ballyhooed Thrilla in Manila between Muhammad Ali and the late Joe Frazier. For your additional info, aside from WBO champ Bradley, there are also two undefeated welterweight champions in the World Boxing Association (WBA), namely Adrien Broner (27-0-22 KOs) and the interim champion Keith Thurman (21-0-19 KOs). IBF (International Boxing Federation) has its own welterweight champion in the person of less-known Devon Alexander. But the three are not as popular as Mayweather and Bradley and the chances for either Mayweather or Bradley to fight any of the three are nil . Of course, Arum and Golden Boy Promotions top honcho Oscar De La Hoya will not gamble their big money to pit any of the three against Mayweather or Bradley. It’ll simply not be profitable. The three need to shine in the world arena first before the can join the ranks of Pacquiao, Marquez, Bradley and especially Mayweather. But they’re on the right track because their records speak for themselves. They’re still young and perhaps have two or more years to prove their worth. Let’s wait and see.
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What a game the third and final game of the UAAP last October 12 was between the stubborn De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers and the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers. Honestly, it was my first time to watch a championship tertiary game where the loser only scored four points and only six for the champion team in a five-minute overtime play. The stifling defense applied by both teams was so intense that both teams effectively stopped both from scoring. The two were really evenly matched..
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Tyhpoon Santi that hit central Luzon forced the organizers to postpone again (for the third time) the much-awaited 2nd Sta. Barbara Open Chess Classic that was supposed to be held last Oct. 12-13. According to the organizer Hermano Chess Club president Allen Garcia, they postponed the tourney as requested by the participants from different provinces.. The new date of the tourney is Oct.26-27 to be held at the same venue.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Therefore says the Lord: “Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them.” JEREMIAH 11: 11
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