|
Monday, January 23, 2006
Capillas: Pacquiao's vindication
By Stephen Capillas
The Lowdown
THAT was quite a masterful show displayed by Manny Pacquiao in Sunday afternoon's (Saturday evening in the US) match against Erik Morales that was televised live on Philippine shores thanks to the miracle of satellite TV and cable.
Prior to Sunday's telecast not a few Filipinos, including this writer, expressed some doubts regarding the Pacman's ability to beat Erik Morales despite the fact that the General Santos born pug was narrowly beaten by points only.
What made the doubts linger was the post match interview given by a tearful Pacquiao to Chino Trinidad in which he showed his fists still raw from the pounding he gave on Morales's face, which he admitted to being quite hard.
He also showed his feet to Trinidad which had a blister or two though Pacquiao hastened to clarify that he soldiered on, not wanting to make excuses for the Filipinos.
Based on that post-match interview this writer had his doubts about a Pacquiao victory. It didn't help any that the national media outlets like broadcast giant ABS-CBN covered Pacquiao in every aspect of his training prior to Sunday's victory.
Those of you who watched the "Rocky" movies of Sylvester Stallone know that extensive media mileage is the last thing a trainer would want on his fighter especially if he's a champion.
Rocky's trainer in that movie Mickey--as played by Burgess Meredith--would shoo away every reporter and anyone even holding a camera in order to keep his fighter Rocky as hungry, lean and mean as possible. To make him into a boxer "that eats lighting and craps thunder."
Pacquiao's victory virtually casts those pseudo boxing theories out of the window. As it is the Filipino pug only needed optimum training conditions, a balanced diet and a nice pair of gloves that somehow cushioned his fists from the granite-like face of Morales.
True there was no title at stake but national pride. If Pacquiao had lost doubts about his future as a fighter of international repute would linger on and he may even suffer a drop in his rankings.
The glitter of his victory somehow didn't dull despite the presence of opportunistic politicos who proved anew the adage that "victory has a hundred fathers and defeat is an orphan."
And while ABS-CBN bigwigs are grinning from ear to ear at the ratings and advertisement killings they made we are jubilant and laugh along with Manny as he tries his darndest best to speak English with mixed success.
He may not be good at the language of dollars and Hollywood but at least for this instance Pacquiao made us proud to be Filipinos.
(January 23, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
|
