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Freeman Cebu Sports

Pacmania at Parklane

FEEL THE GAME - Bobby Motus -

Every fight fan witnessed the demolition job on David Diaz last Sunday. Domination would be an understatement. Since we all have already read all the pre- and post-fight comments, lets just deal on other fight-related sidelights.

Together with my son Emil, we got complimentary invites to the Lethal Combination at Parklane Hotel, courtesy of Marketing and Communications head Ms. Jaybee Aquino. My thanks also to Housekeeping’s Charisse Fuentes. Victoria Hall was packed and the mood was mura ug naa sa tigbakay when Pacman’s fight started. From the first bell to the end, it was like every jab, cross or hook that Pacman delivers is accompanied with roars and shouts. Another kind of cheer was heard during the post-fight interview when the crowd heard Pacman’s version of the King’s language.

I suppose we are all familiar with those plastic wrist bands that hospitals use to identify their patients. Well, I’ll credit Miss Jaybee for that innovation as Parklane had that stuff as their tickets for the fight. It’s like a multitude of expectant fathers, with platefulls of food, going in and out of the delivery room with the plastic bands on their wrists.

Over at that hotel in Mactan fronting the airport, a cousin and Liloan councilor Cocoy Jumapao said that betting was for Diaz at 4-10 odds. It’s like if you go for Diaz, your 400 peso bet will win you 1,000 pesos. Let’s just consider the fact that the establishment caters to the sugarol in us. And the mood there was rowdier and noisier.

Perpetrators of massacres do attract each other. The Boston Celtics, who kicked my beloved Lakers’ butt and wiped the smile off Kobe Bryant’s face witnessed Pacman’s annihilation to kingdom come of David Diaz. Kevin Garnett and the rest of the green men were inside the locker room after the fight and Pacman was obviously elated as he’s a big fan of the Celtics.

This fight earned Pacman $3 million plus another $2 million from his pay-per-view share. Diaz made $850,000 for the lacerations on his face, his biggest paycheck so far. What’s up next for Pacman? The lightweight division is deep with talent that has Nate Campbell, Joel Casamayor, another Diaz named Juan, Michael Katsidis from Australia and yes, Juan Manuel Marquez who’s going up to 135 pounds to fight Casamayor this September.

After making a lucrative career on a series of brawls with the best Mexican fighters in Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales, Pacman will thrive in this weight class. We all have noticed that he has become stronger and faster since Pacman will be able to eat and drink as he liked and maintain his level of energy and strength. He doesn’t have to starve himself to remain in the lower weight class. Pacman will be a natural and is best suited as a lightweight.

David Diaz summed up everything when he said after the fight, “Did anybody get the number off that truck? Today is the day that we lost. Tomorrow is another day. He’s fast. The speed was the difference in the fight. I have all the respect for him.”

There was that moment when Pacman came over to the fallen Diaz. Ever wonder what the exchange of words were? Pacman leaned on Diaz and said, “Aaah, David, you know, muscle pain lang yan. Aaah, you like Alaxan, man?” To Diaz replied, “I like San Miguel man, walang katulad.” Na hala, mao man kaha to.

E-mail at [email protected]

AAAH

BOSTON CELTICS

CHARISSE FUENTES

DAVID DIAZ

DIAZ

FIGHT

PACMAN

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