It was in the same venue that a relatively unknown Manny Pacquiao became a sensational hit when he stopped the legendary Baby-faced Assasin Marco Antonio Barrera. Since then, the name Manny Pacquiao has echoed to every corner of boxing gyms and other circles as the new sensation in the sports called Sweet Science.
Jorge Solis knew that name too well and the Alamodome was probably what he most preferred to be the venue where he would be giving Pacquiao a dose of his own medicine. He was aware of the legend of Pacquiao and of his stature as a nobody in the sport although he owned an excellent record. But when they suddenly touched gloves started hitting each other, Solis realized it was not meant to showcase his own version of spectacular boxing. He became just another one of the unlucky Mexicans of which Pacquiao has been making mincemeat of.
Spoiled Dream
Jorge’s dream of making it big in the pugilistic sport did not come true and only the brief moment of which his name was attached to Pacquiao’s that he could claim the pride of being known. After the fight, he still remains a nobody in the world of boxing and there may be longer years before he comes back and stamps his name again in a world class fight.
Deceiving Records
Jorge Solis’ record of 32 wins without any loss was deceiving. One thinks who the men he fought. Were they boxers of bystanders? There was admittedly some kind of quality in the way he fought. He made Pacquiao a little off the rhythm in the first four rounds. It was evident, however, that he has not fought anyone in the mold of Pacquiao. He may not even stand a big chance against Barrera or Marquez with the way he performed.
Political “Buffer”
Michael Buffer may have convinced himself to make a change in the way he introduced boxers especially when he learned that Manny Pacquiao is not just fighting in the boxing ring but also in the political ring. His insertion of the descriptive “congressional candidate” in his announcement of Pacquiao suddenly made him more of a campaigner than an announcer. In whatever way you see it, that was Pacquiao’s political “Buffer”.
Cerebral Fighter
Let’s talk about Pacquiao now. At this point in his career, Manny Pacquiao has learned the importance of using the brain as ferociously as he uses his speed and power. What I saw in the Solis fight was a Pacquiao that decided to teach than to entertain. He taught Solis a lesson in boxing that you cannot just brag about records. He, however, didn’t put in the drama of a world class performance. He didn’t have to anyway because Solis turned out to be not a top level opponent, so he decided to give himself the benefit trying to figure out how to dispose of the Mexican.
Boring Greatness
With all the many names, both well-known and obscure, that Manny Pacquiao has dropped to the canvass, one may not already have the kind of excitement leveling up when Pacquiao was just trying to build his monumental success in boxing. He is a great boxer right now and unless there is one marquee name that could pose a grave threat to his greatness, every great performance of Pacquiao from now on will just be met with a cold but positive boredom.
Uncertain Future
After the fight, Manny mentioned names he likes to face next but mentioning their names and facing them in a fight are two different things. His promoter’s legal squabble with the Golden Boy Promotions remains a stumbling block to his megabuck rematch with both Barrera and Marquez. Let’s see what will happen in the next future for Manny.
