Unfamiliar territory

I am so reminded by the movie “Rocky” after watching the third installment of the Pacquiao-Marquez saga! With all the comments, analysis, facebooking, tweeting and blogging that followed the results of the fight where our People’s Champion prevailed, or escaped, depending on how you personally saw it, it is obvious that there are those, and they are many, who believe Marquez should have taken the prize. A belief that comes not only from Mexicans, but from Filipinos, as well. Local boxing analysts Ed Tolentino and Ronnie Nathanielsz both called the win for Marquez, much to the chagrin of the millions of die-hard Pacman fans! Both saw an anemic Manny Pacquiao, and not the aggressive, ferocious Pacman of old. So Manny finds himself in the shoes of Apollo Creed, the champion who had his hands full. Indeed, Manny was a seven-to-one favorite entering the fight. Marquez grew older and heavier since they last tangled. Marquez was all but written off. The only question unanswered was what round would he fall.

But surprise, surprise. He held his own and gave some in the process, rattling Manny in the middle rounds according to the analysts. Only Freddie Roach’s warning to Pacquiao that they were behind in points gave him the win in the last two rounds. Two judges saw it similarly. The Compubox – I was initiated by a friend of mine regarding this – also showed Manny to have thrown more power punches that connected than Marquez, clearly showing him to be the aggressor. Judges seem to like that. So if two human judges and a computer have the same findings, then I guess that is as good as it can be!

Manny deserves the win. I believe that in my heart. Congratulations are in order. The win may not have given him closure and the knockout that millions wanted to see, but it is still a win. But it has to be said that indeed, there is a chink, a crack even, in Manny’s armor. The shine seems to be subdued somewhat, the joints emanating faint sounds of squeaking. The fearsome warrior that Manny is known to be seems to have been replaced by a more careful foot soldier in the face of a familiar enemy. Marquez is Pacquiao’s kryptonite. These two pugilists are the Ali-Frazier of this era. So equally matched, with just as much disdain for each other!

Unfortunately, just like Apollo Creed, Pacquiao finds himself on the defensive, parrying criticism after criticism with regards to his failure to knock out Marquez, even for his victory! Not all victories are lopsided, he states. But true to form, Manny Pacquiao has apologized somewhat for the outcome of the fight. Something you rarely see in this testosterone-filled sport! But this is certainly unfamiliar territory for the champion, having to explain his win.

What does the future have in store for our champion? Another rematch with his nemesis has been sounded. But I think three meetings is enough. It is tough that Pacquiao could not close this last fight out with a bang, but it is tougher for Marquez to accept another defeat. As for that arrogant father and son who have been ducking a fight with Pacman for the past two years? Manny has said to bring on the fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. next year. Mayweather should be feeling a lot more confident, and a lot cockier about fighting Pacman. Perhaps it is time these two gave the world the fight it has been aching for. If so, I have two cents worth of advice for our champion.

Lose the distractions, and be a boxer once again.