As a Filipino, I should be happy that my compatriot Manny Pacquiao won a majority decision over Juan Manuel Marquez, yet again. But I must confess: if many of us were confused with the decision in the second match, I was distressed and joyless at the heart-rending outcome of their third fight.
Pacquiao won, so the judges swore. But most of the Filipinos in the Philippines or in the big theater where I watched the bout were not happy either. They were simply “awed.” After the winner was announced, the comments I heard were one in agreement that Marquez should have won the fight. I looked around and saw they were not Mexicans.
In the restaurant where we took late lunch, people were saying the same thing. Then my wife turned on the radio to tune in to commentary programs in AM stations. Most people who texted and called in, including the anchormen, were of the same mind. We asked our children who saw the delayed telecast on TV upon arriving home, “Marquez won!” they exclaimed.
So sad, but if only for that, I am happy and I am proud to be a Filipino because majority of us still have eyes to see the truth and the magnanimity to admit that our Pacquiao lost. “Dinamita” is the better boxer and is now the new WBO welterweight champion. Congratulations, Marquez! We love you, Pacman!
The trilogy brought to light some fraud and pretenses in boxing. Among them is PPV “genius” man Bob Arum who talks about another “rich” rematch only to use it as a leverage against the Mayweather camp as he dreams of a bigger paycheck with the Pacquiao-Mayweather match.
Second is that boxing CompuBox is like the anti-Christ who tells you certain facts and statistics that lead to hell.
Third is that boxing judges today are at their “best” looking at the numbers where numbers are mere numbers—to judge a fight fought while they were fast asleep.
Fourth is that the two proud credit-grabbers—Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza—are the biggest losers in the fight. They need to be served sumptuous desserts for eating their words.
What’s happening in the sport of boxing?
—RENI M. VALENZUELA,
renimvalenzuela@yahoo.com