In the Game

No other single Filipino can, in an instant, lift the spirits of the entire Philippines like world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

The whole country stopped for a few hours yesterday as Manny Pacquiao ko'd WBC Lightweight champion David Diaz in the 9th round to become the first Filipino to win the lightweight crown and first Asian in history to claim 4 world titles in 4 different weight divisions (he formerly held the flyweight, super bantamweight, and super featherweight titles).  Police recorded a zero crime rate in Metro Manila from 8am to 3pm which spanned the live and delayed telecasts of the fight.  Even criminals stay home to watch Manny fight.

I missed both telecasts as I was assigned to oversee Victory QC’s Victory Weekend which ended late Sunday afternoon.  I repeatedly announced that noone tell me the results, didn’t check my phone for fear someone texted me the results, and waited in suspense for the replay at night.  Although the fight had long ended by the time the replay started at 9pm, I was still nervous and excited!

Many were skeptical if Pacquiao was biting off more than he can chew when he signed up for the fight.  Boxing logic dictates that you lose power and speed as you move up in weight.  He started fighting professionally at 106 lbs. while Diaz was a natural junior welterweight who moved down to have a better shot as a world champion.  A naturally big guy versus a naturally small guy.  But the moment the opening bell sounded, all doubts were erased.  I was surprised by how much Pacquiao dominated Diaz.  He wasn’t as fast as when he was fighting at 128 lbs., but he looked like a natural at 135 lbs (once the territory of Roberto Duran, Alexi Arguello, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.).

I kept thinking Diaz was saving himself for the later rounds and waiting for Manny to tire before pouncing on him.  It didn’t happen.  He absorbed too many powerful punches (he got hit with an average of 20 power shots per round) including a newly unveiled right hand and an uppercut.

Diaz was a gracious former champion at the post-fight presscon.  He made no excuses and even made fun of himself.  He started by asking the reporters, “Did anybody get the number off that truck?” inferring he felt and looked like he had just been hit by a truck.  He also added that “I thought (Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach) was in there hitting me too.”

A special side treat was the Boston Celtics watching from ringside (I’d hate to have been seated behind KG after paying thousands of dollars for my seat) and later making their way to the locker room.  Kevin Garnett led the cheering, “Manny, Manny, Manny!!!”  The Big Three were there with Cassell and Rondo.

I never saw the other great Filipino “Flash” Elorde fight.  He is the second longest reigning champion in boxing history next to Joe Louis (Elorde was world junior lightweight champion for 7 years and 3 months from 1960-67).  But I think Manny Pacquiao has to be the greatest Filipino boxer of all time.  He dominated future Hall-of-Famers Barrera and Morales, ruled each division he fought in, cemented his place as best pound-for-pound fighter, and now holds 4 world titles.

Thank you Pacman for another beautiful Sunday.