Sports Eye
Pacquiao will win
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
FEW DAYS from now, the much-awaited Manny Pacquiao-Tim Bradley rematch will surely be done. Both camps are so noisy, more so the group of Bradley insisting that he, Bradley, won their first encounter despite the catcalls from the spectators after the verdict was announced. He predicts it will be a clear win this time and the fans will surely cheer for him. Pacquiao, on the other hand, humbly said he’s fighting Bradley again not to avenge his defeat knowing that he plainly won their first battle but to win back the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt. It was only his trainer Freddie Roach who predicts that Pacman will win via knockout this time to erase all the doubts of their first combat. (He did not say what round so far).
Well, the duo’s antics could just very well be just a promo gimmick ordered by Top Rank Promotions czar Bob Arum to hype the fight in media in order to spike the ticket sales and the bigger pay-per-view audience, and make the fight more profitable for himself. Or it could also be the true emotions of the two, especially the garrulous Bradley who boasts that he’s speedier than Pacquiao, more intelligent, has better defense. He promised to make some new adjustments to surprise the Filipino boxing icon.
Millions of boxing fans know that Pacman really won their first meeting and it was the two judges (Duane Ford and C.J. Ross) who both scored 115-113 favouring Bradley. Arum called the duo the “two blind mice” for irresponsible scoring. In the fight review by five WBO respected officials, they said Pacquiao clearly won the bout but unfortunately they cannot overturn the verdict as mandated by WBO rules. I bought a CD on that clash and watched it five times and without doubt I scored the bout 119-111 for the fighting congressman.
Pacman should be doubly sharp, ferocious and if possible must go for a knockout win if given the chance. When he climbs the ring he should forget that he’s a preacher and be the deadly ring warrior who takes no quarters. like what he did to Brandon Rios. If he doesn’t, he may likely end up the big loser just like what happened to him against JuanMa. If that happens (I hope it will not), Filipinos will be heart-broken anew and may be the end of his career.
I have no doubt that Pacquiao will win but I believe it will go the full 12 rounds because Bradley won’t fight toe-to-toe. When he did this to Ruslan Provodnikov, he was knocked down by the Russian fighter in the last round and was saved by the bell, narrowly escaping a close verdict. What I believe Bradley will do again is just dance and sting, get away from Pacquiao’s lethal punches to get the nod of the judges anew. Maybe he can do that to JuanMa and Provodnikov but not to Pacquaio. He can’t dance away all night because Pacquiao for sure will corner him. Let’s just wait and see.
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My heartfelt congrats to the LNU Dukes for passing the semifinal test in the 8th Panagbenga Invitational Basketball Tournament, ready to face anew their tormentor La Finns Scholastica of La Union for the title on April 11 or 12 in Baguio City. This is the first time that the Dukes of Atty. Gonzalo Duque joined the annual league under the tutelage of head coach Angel Gumarang and assistant coach Julius Puzon. If lucky to win the crown, we can also call them the champion of the Cordillera region. Let’s see.
Also my kudos to duathlete Robeno Javier of Urdaneta City for winning the first leg of the 2014 Eagle Ridge Duathlon series held in Gen. Trias City, Cavite last March 30. Province mate Jefferson Valdez of Asingan was third. Javier, 29, now based in Sto. Tomas town, is the defending champion of this run-bike-run event and a bonafide member of the Philippine national team. He texted me to say that he’s motivated and determined to defend his title and looking for a win in the second leg of the series to be conducted on May 31 at Nuvali, Laguna. Mabuhay po kayo mga ginoo. Your pride is also our pleasure being Pangasinenses.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus Christ said “That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life.” JOHN 5: 23-24
