PEOPLE’S champion Manny Pacquiao, the fighting pride not just of General Santos City, but of the whole Philippines as well, fought what was supposed to be his last fight in the ring, with aplomb.
Manny, just by being himself, was enough to win against American Timothy Bradley in their third fight that was decorated with a WBO International Welterweight title. It was just a secondary title by boxing’s standards, but it had the glitter of a world championship.
Manny said it was his farewell fight, but his promoter Bob Arum couldn’t believe it. He knows Manny so much that his fighter could always say yes to make a ring return—especially if it’s going to be against Floyd Mayweather or Juan Manuel Marquez, against whom he has an in issue to settle.
Should Manny finally hang his gloves?
Yes, he should retire now while he is still at his best. He should retire now because he is embarking on a more demanding role of public service—from congress to the senate and it would be unfair if, should he win, people would be shortchanged of his time and attention. Yes, he should retire because he has given his country so much pride already.
Manny said he wants to spend more time with his family and serve the people. As of now, he’s retired.
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Against Bradley yesterday, Manny was at his best. He simply did what he does best and he looked so special against the man, who didn’t have a back-up plan except for the big right counter that never came.
Teddy Atlas was overheard yelling at Bradley at the break before the bell for the 10th round that he wanted to see the “big right hand.” That instruction came following a knockdown in the ninth.
Bradley and Atlas were buried so deeply in that game plan, even if it was so obvious that Manny and his long-time trainer Freddie Roach have effectively prepared for it. Bradley was trying to be a Juan Manuel Marquez copycat, for which he was not.
Bradley was hoping to use the same big right counter that Marquez utilized to put the lights out on Pacquiao in their third fight. But Bradley was definitely not Marquez.
Bradley’s mistake was he didn’t fight his own fight.
The old Bradley attacks relentlessly and throws flurries all fight long. That Bradley of old was only visible in Round 8. He took the round lopsidedly. But he couldn’t sustain that kind of fight against Pacquiao, who definitely was the more power-puncher between the two.
And the fact that Pacquiao has the most awkward style among today’s boxing greats was proven again as Bradley couldn’t predict where Pacquiao’s next punch would come from. That knockdown in the ninth round was a perfect example.
After throwing a left hook, Pacquiao immediately followed with a left that hit the already out-balanced Bradley. Psychologically, the end came after the ninth round as Bradley, frustrated and all, was seen throwing his hands down after the round.
There were no furious rallies nor attacking for all the marbles in the final three rounds the as eight-division world title owner cruised to the win that would definitely make a big boost to his candidacy for senator.
Will Manny’s latest victory translate into votes? I say yes…if the elections would take place today or tomorrow.
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Filipinos love winners and people decide hastily when they are happy. There are 12 senatorial slots available and Filipino voters could easily say, “Bakit hindi? Puwede naman isingit, labindalawa naman ‘yan.”
More things will happen between now and May 9.
But today, what’s important is that Pacquiao had just made most, if not all, Filipinos happy.
