What controversial win for Pacquiao?

We do not agree that Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Juan Manuel Marquez was controversial at all.  Promoter Bob Arum was simply being the businessman that he is—trying to continue milking the hype and hoopla generated by that third showdown to the last drop. Another rematch is being richly planned and it is already sickening to just think about it. When is enough enough? The two pugilists had given it all they got. What more could they possibly entertain us with? More waltzing in the ring; or worse, newfound geriatric moves? Marquez is fast nearing 40!  Let’s give the guy a break.

Pacman can very well rest on his latest laurels. He beat Marquez fair and square.  From all those fights, he emerged the better prize-fighter. The first encounter ended in a tie (one judge for Marquez, one judge for Pacman, the third even-steven). The second was a split-decision (one judge for Marquez, two for Pacman).  But the third was clearly decisive. This time around no judge had Marquez winning on his card (it was a tie for him), while two went for Pacman.

That’s two out of three encounters.  What more is there left to settle?

Regardless of what his Latino fans are now saying, Marquez goes down in the books as a loser. That’s why we have judges to make such decisions and there is good reason why el fallo del juez es inapelable in the boxing arena. That’s it.  Trilogy over. If it were up to the protagonists’ fans and cheering squads, eh di paramihan na lang ng texts!?  Duh!

Arum should just move on to the next fighter he can put in the ring with Pacman. We are not the gullible schlemiels that he thinks we all are, who will buy anything he’s selling.  He was booed when he thought aloud about cobbling a fourth face-off after the last. He should take a hint. It’s time for a change of scenery.  That blabbermouth Floyd Mayweather Jr. is long overdue. Despite his own advanced age, he keeps bragging he’s been re-charged from his self-imposed hiatus from the ring. So let’s see what the schmuck can schlepp back to the ring this time. We are sure Arum can whip up something to make that look like the real fight of the century.

—STEPHEN L. MONSANTO, [email protected]