I got what I wanted when Manny Pacquiao beat Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC Superfeatherweight Championship but, honestly speaking, I was not impressed by my countryman’s victory.

It was a close fight, close enough for everybody to see it in three ways: win for the Pacman, triumph for Dinamita, or still an “unfinished business” in a draw. Although the judges saw my countryman the winner, it is not easy to dismiss the fact that it could have gone the other way around.

For all his sacrifices and claims to be the winner, I give credit to Juan Manuel Marquez for giving Pacquiao another hell of a fight. He has the tools to neutralize the Filipino dynamo. He’s got the correct technical skills to slow down the onslaught of Manny; he’s got the quick wits to improvise at every moment of danger; he’s got something that neither his two compatriots, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, don’t have in facing up to attacks of the one they call “The Destroyer of Mexican Legends”.

Despite his age, Marquez was able to give Pacquiao a tough duel which the Filipino seems to put immediately to oblivion. Those right hand leads, uppercuts and counterpunches were like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that Pacquiao almost did not make to show us a victory picture.

The Pacman’s power was there. It floored Marquez once and probably twice more had Marquez failed to adjust properly. But what was missing was Manny’s speed and the improved right hand. Yes, there were moments when his speed was shown but only a few times. His right fist didn’t get to the target most of the time and there were occasions in which Manny seemed at a loss as to how to penetrate JMM.

See it again, folks, but during the time the winner was being declared by Michael Buffer, Manny Pacquiao went over to Juan Manuel Marquez to congratulate the Mexican. He knew he did not do enough to crack the Mexican nut and he thought it was well to accept the “fact” that he lost this time. He thought he failed his countrymen. He wouldn’t be surprised at the declaration of a loss unlike the first time they met when the mention of the word “draw” was for him a victory for Marquez and a defeat for him considering that he dropped the Mexican three times in the first round.

But when he was declared the winner, he painted a face of surprise, an amazement, some kind of unbelief in the pronouncement of his triumph. Noticeable also was the kind of moderate cheers from among the fans. There were many Filipino spectators there but half of them seemed to have been surprised also at the judges’ decision. They wanted to cheer but there was a question in their minds if it was right for them to cheer at the victory of their countryman.

No, I’m not impressed with Manny Pacquiao’s victory against Juan Manuel Marquez.

It’s not because I am a Filipino that I have this bias in favor of Manny Pacquiao.  I believe that the odds favor a victory for the Pacman, racial  and other factors counted out.

First, in terms of hunger, Manny has more.  Although he is the acknowledged king of superfeatherweights, Pacquiao’s not the legal king, and the man he will fight on March 16 is the recognized crown owner.  Manny feels that the crown should be in his hands, and to remove all doubts about his status as the numero uno, he will give all he’s got to legitimize his status.

Second, Manny has shown tremendous improvements in his skills as a boxer since his first meeting with the Mexican warrior.  He has grown more powerful and refined in his boxing craft.  Up to this point, no one has really solved the puzzle that is Manny Pacquiao, except of course, Marquez.  But the Pacquiao he fought that time is not the same Pacquiao he will meet on Saturday.

Third, Juan Manuel Marquez has not really shown much since he fought Pacquiao.  He only got the belt from Marco Antonio Barrera not really through his own efforts but also because of some misdeeds of Barrera himself during their match.  Had Barrera not hit Marquez while the latter was on the floor, Marquez would not have snatched the belt from the Baby Faced Assasin.

Lastly, Juan Manuel Marquez is old.  There’s no question about excellent technical skills but the age factor will take its toll on him especially against the younger and much more improved Pacman.  Pacquiao’s speed and power will wear down Marquez with his aging body.

I expect a knockout win for Manny Pacquiao.

It’s now in the news that the Marquez-Pacquiao II has been done. If things really go the way of the rematch, then this rematch will be one of the most anticipated rematches in recent years.

After their May 8, 2004 meeting, Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao have had different experiences going into their rematch. Marquez went the way of less money and loss of belt. He squared it off against Chris John of Indonesia and loss his featherweight championship belt in the process. On the other hand, Pacquiao decided to move up in weight at 130 lbs. and challenged Fahsan 3K Battery of Thailand and won by knockout.

Marquez then faced a couple more fighters, one of them was Filipino Jimrex Jaca who floored him. Marquez, however, prevailed over Jaca via knockout to make his boxing record still shining. He faced the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera, then the WBC Superfeatherweight champion, and decisioned Barrera over 12 rounds to become the new champion. His latest bout was a successful defense against Rocky Juarez.

Manny Pacquiao, for his part, faced up to the challenge of one of Mexico’s greatest, Erik “El Terrible” Morales. He fought “El Terrible” for 12 grueling and bloody rounds, his face distorted by a cut caused by a headbutt. For the first time in many years, the vaunted Manny Pacquiao was dealt a loss. His famed knockout punch didn’t bring Morales down.

He asked for a rematch and this time, Pacquiao would not be bullied again. He pummeled Morales to submission after 10 rounds and celebrated one of his sweetest victories ever. Morales, not wanting to be counted out that easily, challenged the Pacman for a 3rd meeting. Pacquiao responded and the two wrote one of the great trilogies of boxing. In the final chapter, Pacquiao shut the door completely for Morales when he finished off the Mexican in just three rounds.

Lately, Pacquiao put a period into his story with Marco Antonio Barrera. After rumors flew that Barrera’s loss to the Pacman was based more on the Mexican’s distractions than on the Filipino’s great boxing skills, they finally decided to meet another time. But the Pacman was just overpowering for the skidding Barrera.

If there’s a rematch that would equal if not surpass the magnitude of the Pacquiao-Morales II & III and the Pacquiao-Barrera II, then it’s the Pacquiao-Marquez II.

Of all the Mexican greats, Marquez is the only one who managed to survive the boxing phenom known as the Pacman. Though he was floored three times in their first meeting, Marquez rose from the canvass to register a three-way no-winner decision. His vast skills in the sweet science sent Pacquiao a message that “you can’t KEEP a great boxer down.” Yes, Pacquiao put him down but he could not keep him down. In fact, it was as though Marquez won the fight because after giving away one round, he won a majority of the next 11 rounds.

Marquez is the hardest test for Pacquiao at the moment and it is well that this rematch is finally born. A study of their developments since their first meeting will showcase an interesting battle of Level A fighters who have gone through both devastation and domination. Also, it is interesting to see how Marquez would rise against the age factor. He is now 34 years old and he seems not to be slowing down. His masterful handling of Juarez is an indication that he is another Bernard Hopkins in the making.

On Pacquiao’s part, boxing fans and experts will see how he adjusts after Marquez put to shame his title which reads, “Mexican Assasin.” He has learned his lessons from his previous top level performances and Freddie Roach has fine-tuned his previously erratic boxing skills. It’s only Marquez who survived his dominating bravado in the ring. Amidst the bright horizon of Pacquiao’s success as a boxer, there is the Marquez fight that paints a black picture, a sort of ghostly silhouette which cannot be simply ignored. A win in their rematch will dissipate that ghostly silhouette and make Pacquiao’s fame one of the most colorful in the annals of the sweet science.

I would say that if Pacquiao wins over Marquez, he should be boxing’s no.1 pound-for-pound even when Mayweather prevail over Hatton.

It appears to me that to see Manny Pacquiao fight and win is starting to be a bore.  His bout with Barrera was boring, in fact.

I have a feeling that if he fights still as superfeatherweight, I will still be bored even if he wins.

There could be another level to his persona as a boxer which will bring excitement to the next level.  Yes, I believe this is the next level in weight, the 135-lb. division.

I like to see him win a title as a lightweight.  He has nothing more to prove at the 130-lb. level.

Erik “El Terrible Morales” has decided to retire to life away from the boxing ring after back to back losses.  He’s 30 years old and he thinks he’s got nothing left to prove. 

Marco Antonio Barrera may have the same viewpoint coming into the Pacquiao-Barrera II.  He is convinced he can still fight, but he’s not convinced he could pull a win under the Pacman’s nose.  He’s past the 30-year-old mark and has carved a niche for himself in the world of boxing.  He’s got nothing left to prove much like his countryman, Erik Morales. 

His last fight was a losing cause against Marquez who is probably the most formidable opponent there is for Pacquiao at the moment.  And to face the Pacman, the recorder of the worst loss in his storied career, again is to say the least, putting the icing on the cake, the cake referring to his career.

Losing again to the Pacman will be no shame.  It’s actually an honor he can draw some nice words from.  By the time he loses to Manny again, Marco will be in the best position to say, “I lost to the best in the world!”  And he will enjoy his life as one great general who retires after sterling performances in the battlefield.

But. . . let’s wait until the 6th of October.  An incredible spectacle might happen.

At this point, one can feel that things are already being primed up for Manny Pacquiao after October 6.  The sweetening relations between Bob Arum and Oscar dela Hoya are an indication that the more savory and attractive matches for the Pacman are not far from becoming material.

If Pacquiao prevails over Barrera again, the next megabuck fight to promote for the two most politically powerful personalities in the world of boxing will be the Pacquiao-Marquez II.  That match has so much to promise because it will determine who’s the better man really after their no-winner-no-loser encounter the first time.

And from the looks of it, Manny will again be the favorite and if ever he prevails over Marquez, there are more matches, challenging matches at that for the most exciting boxer in the world today.

John Chavez wrote in boxingconfidential.com that the next time Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera trade punches, Marco will be a better and more dangerous fighter than he was back in November 2003.

I believe Mr. Chavez should have looked into his comparison a little more.  While it is true that MAB was not at his best that time, and that he lost largely because of that, Mr. Chavez missed one point relevant to the inevitable second meeting of the two.

And that point is, Manny Pacquiao is not the same fighter that fought MAB last time.  Since his demolition of the Baby-Faced Assasin, MP has evolved into a more complete fighter. 

Yes, he is still the relentless, fire-breathing, devil-may-care type of an exciting boxer but he has refined these qualities to the point that he takes calculated risks right now.

Also, he has developed a sort of footwork that is dangerously puzzling to opponents.  Ask Oscar Larios, Erik Morales and Jorge Solis about this and they would all agree.  When the PACMAN fought Barrera, he did not use the kind of footwork he used against the three named opponents.

Furthermore, the PACMAN is an enhanced two-fisted champion right now.  Remember that Barrera was knocked down by a vicious left straight by MP in their first meeting and that was all that MP can boast of that time.

But now, Manny has transformed his weak right hand into a potent hooker.  In his bouts with Larios, Morales and Solis, Manny showed good timing of the right hook, right jab and a feigning right hand attack to set up his thunderous left straight.

Now, since Marco Antonio Barrera lost to the PACMAN, what new thing has he shown to make him a dangerous opponent to the dangerous beast from the far east?  Did we see a new Barrera in the Juarez fights?  Did he show anything of the famed Barrera in his losing bid to Marquez? 

I believe the comparison of Mr. Chavez should expand to include more variables before making an assumption of a Barrera invincibility.

It may have been a nice win for the Pretty Boy, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. but his being the pound-for-pound king was nowhere to be found in his split decision victory against an aging but game Oscar dela Hoya.

What Pretty Boy promised to be a pretty entertaining night of excellent and action-packed boxing show turned out to be a catch-me-if-you-can cat-and-mouse exhibition that didn’t really deserve much of the bucks that the spectators, both those in the arena and in the comforts of their own homes, painstakingly paid for.

What we expected was an explosive bout but all we saw was a forgetable match and a lot of the blame must and should be laid down on the persona who is given the venerable descriptive “pound-for-pound king of boxing”.

Expecting a theater full of excitement and thrill, the audience found themselves in a boring and disappointing lecture room of how to be a good boxer.  Dubbed as “The World Awaits” it turned out to be “A World of Wastes”. 

There has to be a shakeup in the pound-for-pound lists and the major change should be to scrap the name Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in the top spot.

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.

Days before Manny Pacquiao tastes the mysterious menu named Jorge Solis, some concerned parties cannot help to air their apprehensions.

They are wary of Solis’ record and Manny’s abbreviated training regimen.  The numbers of Solis are impressive however you criticize his opponents.  Even a level-headed boxing guru knows that it is not easy to dispose of more than 30 mediocre opponents.  To see a boxer with that record, in all honesty, it’s not very hard to be impressed.

The fighter in Solis is apparently tough, learned and strong.  With no loss to blemish his record, one would understand why some Pacquiao fans are worried.

Their worry is even aggravated by the kind of seriousness that Manny seems to show over the coming bout.  They see a Manny Pacquiao who seems to take Solis lightly.

It should be noted, however, that Pacquiao knows the stakes heavily lined for this fight.  He knows that if he doesn’t perform to the people’s expectations, he might lose important votes for his congressional bid in General Santos City. 

He knows that if he loses to Solis, he will have to suffer the ignominy of losing to a lesser known boxer, much like what Barrera went through when he defeated the Baby-faced Assasin in the same place where he will meet Solis. 

He knows that history will repeat itself and this time, he might be the agonizing victim, not the glorified victor. 

He knows that a bad ending in the Solis fight will decrease his stock as a fighter and will probably lose not just glory but also money in his potential fights in the future.

With these things clearly etched in his mind, do you think Manny Pacquiao will prepare in the level of mediocrity and give Jorge Solis all that he painstakingly earned over a long period of time?

At this moment, the poll in PACLAND concerning Manny Pacquiao’s decision to enter politics reveals a 91.5% voting for NO to Pacquiao’s political ambition.

Many quarters have also aired their disfavor over PACMAN’s political desire, but as far as I’m concerned, we should give Manny Pacquiao a chance. Read my thoughts.

First, it’s such an unfair prejudgment to claim that there’s nothing or little that he can do in the political world. People should not measure a person’s capability or incapability by what he does not have because there are many variables to success. It has been proved time and again that the intangibles, variables that are not obvious and hard to measure, are the ones that spell out the difference between success and failure even in the world of politics. Pacquiao may not have an impressive educational background but he certainly has the brain that I think is more than ready to be educated. Now, compare his brain with that of “educated” ones which, more often than not, is not only hard to teach but is unwilling to learn.

Second, Manny has proved something in the world of boxing. Let’s admit it, there are boxers out there who hold respectable reputations as persons. Marco Antonio Barrera has been reported to have a law degree but Pacquiao is way above him in the sweet science despite his lack of even a high school diploma. Boxing is not just about guts and brawn but also of wit, and when it comes to wit, Manny has lots of it. He wouldn’t be named the Fighter of the Year for nothing. Now, if he is able to hurdle the challenges of boxing, what prohibits him from doing the same in politics?

Third, at this point in time, Manny has not much to prepare for as a fighter. In fact, there’s nothing left for him to prove in the world of boxing and he wants to try his mettle in the rough and tough world of talkers and kibitzers. He has beaten the best pound-for-pound boxers and has carved out his own niche in top level boxing. Though he does not have a legit belt at the moment, that lack is not so significant if you look at his exploits and winnings. If at all, it is other boxers who should be coming after him because he defines boxing greatness. To beat him is to be great, but of course, to beat him must come with a price. If the price is not right, he has the right to refuse the challenge. Greatness, after all, is not cheap. Now, he is actually trying to become great in the world of politics. He knows the price of his challenge and he is willing to pay. Why should anyone stop him?

Lastly, Manny Pacquiao’s life already is no secret. We have seen his humble beginnings in his life dramas. We saw how he was able to rise from the cauldrons of poverty and we also witnessed his rise to the pedestal of popularity. We have seen his battles not just inside the ring but even in the courts and in his family. We are not ignorant of the kind of humanity that he has and it is something not difficult to admire. His humanity is, in fact, one that’s inspiring and healthily infectious. Doesn’t this personality deserve even a small space in the world of politics? Are we not tired of the pathetic and lousy personalities that have been exerting malevolent domination in almost all corners of government halls, offices and salas?

There is little left to know about Manny Pacquiao, and it is that which he is capable of doing in the political ring. Let’s give him that chance.