Buenas noches, Coloradito

WBC International superfeatherweight Manny Pacquiao was expected to win easily against undefeated Jorge Solis, barring any freak punches or extreme carelessness on his part. The record of the challenger did not speak with any volume, as most of his opponents had far less experience than even he had.

"I wouldn’t bet the rent money on Solis," said boxing analyst and lawyer Ed Tolentino. His jaw has never been tested, and the fighters he’s faced are no-names. This fight happened first because of the legal issues he’s been facing. I don’t think Solis will be worth five rounds."

 "In terms of experience and conditioning, Pacquiao has the clear advantage," added sports broadcaster Jinno Rufino. "I think he’ll go in eight."

"But Solis has been a clean fighter throughout his career. So I don’t think Pacquiao has anything to worry about in terms of dirty tricks," Tolentino added.

In his first fight since November 19, Pacquiao had some difficulty in the early rounds, largely because Solis surprised him with some quickness and a stiff jab. Although Pacquiao claimed later that Solis’ couldn’t hurt him, he had trouble figuring out how to get past the right jab that clocked him when he approached.

Towards the end of the fourth round, Pacquiao improved his lateral movement, and connected with some combinations. But he was still a little too relaxed, believing he could sail through the bout.

In the sixth round, three things changed the complexion of the fight. Solis hammered Pacquiao with a left cross to the head that stopped the champion in his tracks. The two fighters then clashed heads, opening up a gash at the outer corner of Pacquiao’s left eye that bled profusely. The fight was momentarily halted to allow the ring physician to check on the champion. Pacquiao admitted that the incident made him think that he was taking an unnecessary risk. After a Solis slip, Pacquiao connected on a bone-crushing right cross that seemed to paralyze the challenger.

A couple of left hooks after the first minute of the seventh round proved that the Filipino was starting to get inside, even though it was Solis who was instructed to go for the body. Pacquiao started to flash his superior speed. Solis suddenly looked soft, as if he was going to wilt easily. His feet, which had impressively bounced him around the ring earlier, were starting to slow down. Perhaps the trouble making the weight was telling on him.

Eighth round, a three-punch combination in the first minute bounced Solis off the ropes, and down onto the canvas. It happened so quickly, it was hard to tell what did him in. Barely beating a quick count, Solis got up, signaled he was all right, and waded into the center of the ring.

Another combination by Pacquiao quickly floored Solis again, and this time, he was a second too late in getting up. Pacquiao kept his title.

A few things bothered this writer, as well as other observers. Pacquiao admitted that he took it easy at the start, because he felt he could take his opponent’s punches. But this also opened him to several risks: a lucky punch, a head butt (which happened), and other possible tactics.

The champ gambled by relaxing early, although he was clearly in better shape. He had trouble against an opponent who was below the level of past rivals. He allowed himself to get hit and exposed weaknesses against someone who is not a known counter-puncher. Lastly, he was lucky that Solis could not throw as many punches.

Pacquiao also asked for understanding from his detractors regarding his decision to enter politics, and said he wanted to come home right away. Let’s hope that distraction and others will not prevent him from addressing the weaknesses he exposed yesterday.