Quijano: Waiting with bated breaths

THE big decision still has to be made and the boxing world is now keeling over as to when that knot of uncertainty will be untied.

Last week, it was announced that the suspense would end this week, but then again, we heard the same pronouncement the week before that.

Thankfully, one name has been eliminated in the Manny Pacquiao sweepstakes since Miguel Cotto opted to tangle with a Trout (Austin, that is) rather figure in a rematch with boxing’s apex predator, which is just as well.

Though I think Cotto would probably have fared better in a rematch being a cerebral fighter able to make adjustments, I do not subscribe to the idea that he got better over the years.

I see the same ending with Manny brutalizing Cotto-albeit the latter would probably survive the distance, since the Pacman we have been seeing of late isn’t the same voracious monster he was when they first fought three years ago.

That apparently leaves us with either Timothy Bradley or Juan Manuel Marquez.

BRADLEY. Regardless of the larceny that transpired on the night of June 9, 2012, Bradley has to be arguably given credit for acquitting himself well on top of the ring against the Pacman.

I thought Pacman was only at 70% strength that night for some reason or another, and a preeminent Pacquiao could have walked through Bradley. But for some opponents, 70% potency would have been too much (go ahead, ask Shane Mosley about it).

The fact that he also was able to finish the fight and resisted the urge to quit despite suffering a foot injury that later had him on a wheelchair is a plus for him.

MARQUEZ. We all know what Juan Manuel brings to the table, and despite 36 rounds of furious action and four knockdowns between them, debate will forever rage on who is the better fighter.

Since that controversial loss to Pacquiao in 2011, Marquez kept himself busy by fighting Serhiy Fedchenko in 2012 winning via unanimous decision.

He also found the time to write a book entitled, “Yes, I beat you Pacquiao.”

If you ask me, it might be a little premature as he might yet get that coveted fourth fight—and yes, although he morally feels he won that last fight, the record books will bear out that he has yet to get that coveted “W” to make it official.

If he loses badly in a fourth fight, that pretty much takes away the luster from the bluster in his book.

MY TAKE. Word from the grapevine has been sketchy with several persons reportedly working to get the inside track on finalizing Manny’s opponent.

A win against either fighter would solidify his legacy, but from this boxing fan’s perspective, I would resolve in favor of a Bradley rematch despite its alleged lack of financial “viability” in the pay-per-view ratings.

A fourth fight with Marquez will probably end up in another controversial decision, and again polarize boxing fans. But Manny still has to lose to Marquez officially.

On the other hand, Bradley officially owns a miscreant split decision win over Manny. The fans simply demand the wrong to be righted.

Lately, Bradley has been yapping to the media about how Manny is ducking him. I say he deserves the prolonged sustained beating he’s going to get.

VERBATIM. “My zone is going to be as if me and Chad Dawson are the only two people in that arena. That’s how I approach these fights”
-Andre Ward on his fight with Dawson this weekend (www.miamiherald.com)

LAST ROUNDS. Are on Jomari Gorne and Atty. Eufemia Bacalso of the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas who are celebrating their birthdays this week. Cheers!