Juan more chance

What was supposed to be a flamboyant display of punching prowess for Manny Pacquiao turned into a violent storm of jeers and boos as his victory over Juan Manuel Marquez was tainted with allegations of massive cheating and game-fixing in an apparent attempt to save his $200-million fight with Floyd Mayweather from crashing down.

Marquez, the counter-punching pug from Mexico, was obviously the better fighter, but two judges – Dave Moretti and Glenn Townbridge – awarded the victory to Pacquiao while the third judge, Robert Hoyle, called it a draw, easily giving the Filipino slugger the victory that sparked a firestorm of controversy.

Pacquiao believed he was the victor.

Marquez said he was robbed – and he is ready to retire.

So as talks zero in on another rematch, or a possible fight with Mayweather depending on how Top Rank big boss Bob Arum wishes to design it, a bunch of personalities sought my advice, worrying about the possible impact of the controversy to both fighters and the possibility of having a fourth installment of this violent rivalry.

A female letter-sender claims that her relationship with Pacquiao is rocky as ever, while another letter-sender fears for his job security in the team, especially now that Pacquiao's reputation is in serious jeopardy. Also, a member of Team Marquez e-mailed his letter, asking what would happen if his boss pushes his plan of riding into the sunset.

All these in more in this week's special edition of Dear Brutus.

(But remember: the answers are real, the questions were fabricated)

***

Dear Brutus,

A wicked smirk was all over my face as I watched Marquez turn Pacquiao into a bloody pulp.

And why not, after I defeated this Mexican in 2009, there he was, pouncing hard on Pacquiao for 12 solid rounds, turning him into a bloody canvass and nearly stealing away the victory that crushed his reputation as the planet's best pound for pound fighter.

I was elated to see Marquez dominating the fight.

But I was happier seeing Pacquiao winning the match.

Let me explain: With Pacquiao's victory, the $200-million megabuck fight which Bob Arum has been cooking for four years is still on. And we expect a lot more pay-per-view buys because it will feature me as the world's baddest, ugliest fighter being pitted against a tiny Filipino with a flickering boxing brilliance.

No matter what the result would be, both of us will be smiling our way to the bank and could live in luxury and style in the next 10 to 20 years.

Perfect, isn't it?

But finances aside, do you think I stand a fighting chance against Pacquiao should our fight push though? We know that Marquez' technique and style has served as Pacquiao's kryptonite since he is a known slugger who has poor decision-making when it comes to attacking his foe; do you think I can take advantage of that?

Regards,

F.M. of Grand Rapids, MI (via e-mail)

Dear F.M. of Grand Rapids, MI

Hey Floyd Mayweather, the fight between you and Pacquiao is highly-anticipated: It is the battle of the year, the fight of the century, the brawl the entire planet is raring to see.

To turn this fantasy into reality, however, all parties must sacrifice. Arum should come to terms with your promoter, Golden Boy Promotions, and Pacquiao should agree to undergo an Olympic-style blood test to trace if there're traces of any performance-enhancing drugs in his system as what you often claim.

On the other hand, you should shut your big mouth and let your boxing do the talking.

About the possibility of beating Pacquiao, my answer is this – yes, it's possible. But it will take a lot of pain, a lot of bruises and cuts before you send the Filipino fireball kissing the canvass. Remember; he is fresh from a controversial win from Marquez and he is smoking hot, eager to prove a point.

He wants to show the world that he is still Manny Pacquiao – a global icon and a boxing saint in his hometown – and winning over you in an emphatic fashion would lay dirt to whatever doubt cast on his boxing ability brought by the controversy in his victory over Marquez.

Pacquiao is hungry, so you better be careful.

Run if you could, son.

***

Dear Brutus,

I had a big fight with my husband on the eve of his fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.

It was very violent. We hurled things at each other and the hotel room where we were staying was turned into a war zone. But it's natural. All couples go through that.

Do you think his performance has something to do with our marital fight? Was he affected by what happened to the point that it rubbed off in his performance on top of the ring which nearly cost him the match?

Please help,

J.P. of Sarangani Province

Dear J.P. of Sarangani Province,

Jinkee Pacquiao, if Rocky Balboa had a "no-sex rule" weeks leading to a big fight, Manny Pacquiao should also have a "no-fight rule" before stepping on the ring.

I know no marriage is perfect. Everybody has their own share of marital woes. But please, pretty please, lend your husband to the Filipino people before a big fight by turning yourself into an inspiration rather than a distraction. Stay away from him at least for a week and give him more room to focus on his game rather than worry about the kids or think about what food he would put on the table.

Jinkee, your husband is the Filipinos' last remaining gem. Seeing him nearly beaten by an equally-powerful boxer is as heart-breaking as seeing him completely fall from grace. Please help this God-forsaken country by pushing your husband even further, motivating him to become even better, rather than hurling Blackberries and shattering an expensive center table in a heated discussion inside your hotel room.

After all, a great woman is always behind every great man.

And for Manny Pacquiao, it would always be Jinkee Pacquiao – not other else.

***

Dear Brutus,

Before his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, there were reports that it could be my last day with Manny Pacquiao and the members of his team.

Some say that he personally wants me out. Others claim that an influential person who has Manny's ears is working for my expulsion. It could be Mike Koncz, Freddie Roach, Buboy Fernandez, or whoever God-knows-who.

Look, since I joined the team during the fight with David Diaz, I turned Manny into a mean punching machine, correcting not only his muscles, but also his entire core, which gave him a stronger punch, quicker footwork and better stability in absorbing his opponent's punches.

But unfortunately, politics got in the way. Some people were talking behind my back. I am being demolished. They want me out.

Brutus, do you think I have to worry? I am one of the finest strength and conditioning mentors in the business, and I think I will be jobless for long. But if ever I will be kicked out of the group, I want it to be valid, and not because of politics or because some people do not like my straight-as-an-arrow personality.

Confused,

A.A. of Bogota, Colombia (via e-mail)

Dear A.A. of Bogota, Colombia

You know what, Alex Ariza, you're one of the few sane men inside Team Pacquiao, so quit bitching around and do not be paranoid on what the future holds. For me, I believe your job security with Pacquiao is perfectly stable.

Let me cite an example; when Pacquiao was preparing for a fight against Miguel Cotto, Mike Koncz – the beefy Canadian who styles himself as Pacquiao's adviser but looks more like his errand boy – was said to be blocking your appointment to work on his corner. Sure, Freddie Roach wants you. Buboy Fernandez would also love you to be on their side. But not Koncz.

So to make the long story short, inside the sweltering Cooyesan Gym in Baguio City, you took matters into your own hands and unleashed a five-punch combination on Koncz's face, leaving the Canadian bootlicker stunned. Aside from a handful of bodyguards, nobody dared to help Koncz or made a big deal out of the incident.

Even Pacquiao did not lift a finger.

And now this: Just because you think that you're doing a great job doesn't mean that your employer wants you out. Your boss, the boxer whom you deprived of his favorite nilagang baka every time he is trying to cut back his weight for an important fight, loves your disciplinarian attitude. Even Roach is said to be comfortable working with you.

So remove the tears in your eyes and do not fret. Pacquiao loves you. Everything is perfectly normal.

Cheers,

Brutus

***

Dear Brutus,

Was I robbed?

Please answer,

J.M.M. of Mexico City, Mexico

AP photo

Dear J.M.M.M. of Mexico City, Mexico

Yes you were.

I was glued on my television screen during the fight and I can say that you landed some good, solid punches. Obviously, you came in more prepared, eager to steal the thunder away from the flamboyant Filipino.

But fate – or Bob Arum – had a different plan.

Instead of giving where the credit is due, Arum and his goons styling themselves as boxing judges gave the victory to Manny Pacquiao, effectively retaining his WBO welterweight title and saving the ambitious, expensive $200-million from the brink of a grand collapse.

When money talks, everybody listens. Either way, Arum was the biggest winner.

Juan Manuel, please remember that boxing is a business. It is part of the entertainment business. This sport is so brutal that it's no longer important whether who wins or not for as long as the viewers are happy and the cash register keeps on ringing.

Juan Manuel, at 38, you can still pull the trigger. It's not yet time to ride into the sunset. So please, do not retire. Please give the sport another chance. Who knows, maybe soon, in your next match against Pacquiao, the judges would call it a little fairer.

Keep (counter)punching,

Brutus