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Thursday, March 24, 2005
Post mortems on Pacquiao-Morales ring battle
By Manuel N. Oyson, Jr.
Counter Punch
“O, PRAISE Manny Pacquiao’s courage, ability and fighting spirit.” – PGMA. “For us, Manny is our champion. What Manny did is not something to be ashamed of.” – Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.
“It seemed like we were seeing the Ninoy Aquino assassination all over again. Tragic.” Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) sports columnist Al Mendoza.
“He fought and fought even with blood in his eyes.” – First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.
“If people want me to fight him again, then we will fight again.” – Erik Morales.
“From my perspective, Pacquaio failed in his promise to win because he was overconfident and he probably miscalculated Morales, who had the height advantage over him.” – Sun.Star Cebu columnist Elias L. Espinoza.
“It’s sad because most of us expected he would knockout his foe.” – Eid Kabalu, spokesman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
“Pacquiao wasn’t his normal self. He was out-boxed.” – Bruce McTavish, international boxing referee.
“Some say Pacquiao’s defeat was reflective of the deteriorating state of the country and of Filipino blood on foreign property, while others say it signified the Filipino’s fighting spirit despite many obstacles.” – Sun.Star Cebu columnist Nini B. Cabaero.
“The gloves mean nothing and the result would still be the same.” – Erik Morales.
“He makes us proud to be Filipinos, win or lose.” – Sen. Francis Pangilinan. “His defeat would make him a better fighter. And a better champion in the future. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.” – Sen. Richard Gordon.
“In this sense, Pacquiao’s loss to Morales can be considered a metaphor – Morales had what Pacquiao did not fully have: Boxing skills to go with the warrior spirit.” – Editorial, Sun.Star Cebu.
“He gave his best shot in his match with Erik Morales.” – Sen. Manny Villar.
“Sure, Erik Morales won inside the ring. But wasn’t it the sponsors who won inside our minds?” – Sun.Star Cebu tennis guru John Pages.
“The whole Philippines will cry with Manny’s defeat. We should get even.” – Olongapo City businessman Ernesto Santillan.
“Paita aning pildi uy...Minghoy.” – Sun.Star Cebu columnist Frank Malilong Jr., quoting a texter.
“He’s a great fighter, he’s a very great fighter but honestly I wasn’t hurt by his punches.” – Erik Morales.
“It’s unfair, of course, to criticize Manny Pacquiao for hitting the blackjack tables in Las Vegas, but in case anyone wants to do so, remember he was only following the example of government leaders.” – Editorial, PDI.
“The better fighter simply threw the better punches.” – The Philippine Star.
“Ring Magazine and International Boxing Association featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao showed his courageous Filipino heart and incredible gallantry, but they were not enough.” – Manila Standard Sports.
“It wasn’t such a bad cut but it impaired Manny’s vision.” – Leny de Jesus, Manny Pacqiao’s cut man.
“Morales scored a unanimous decision and reestablished the Mexican as one of the truly great champions of our time.” – Manila Standard Sports.
“Our Manny doesn’t have what it takes to bring down an elusive foe, who was crafty, cunning, and calculating who also fought bravely and studied the Filipino’s pugilistic style almost to perfection. “ – Teodoro C. Benigno, one-time sportswriter, and former Press Secretary, writing for Philippine Star.
“There’s moaning and groaning all over our Philippines – but most of all among those who fought their money on our hero.” – Philippine Star publisher Max V. Soliven.
“I do know that the way he comports himself after this defeat will decide whether he will go the path of Muhmmad Ali or Rolando Navarette” – Conrado de Quiros, PDI columnist.
“Pacquaio is far from finished. He remains pound for pound, one of the best fighters in the world in his catch weight.”
“To me the real reason was that Erick Morales just had too many more boxing skills than our Manny. It was a toreador playing with the bull.” – Lawyer Hidelito S. Pascual.
“It soon became apparent that ‘Manila Ice’ was nothing but a hoax, and that Filipinos would be marking Black Saturday six days ahead of schedule. When the judges’ decision was announced, the whole nation went on to mourn Pacquiao’s passion.” – Editorial, Cebu Daily News.
“A very reliable source who knows the ins and outs of Vegas said possibly as much as $2 million (P110 million) in bets (were) placed by Filipinos during last Saturday’s Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales boxing match at the MGM Grand. “ – Philippine Star Sports.
“Let’s eat now while we still have our appetite.” – A General Santos (Pacquiao’s hometown) native, after receiving an SMS message from the US that Pacquiao had already lost, hours before the fight telecast began.
“This is an eye-opener for Pacquiao. Maybe he realized now that he is still a mortal being.” - Rommel Rebollido, bureau chief of PNA in Socsargen.
“I tried my best.” – Manny Pacquiao.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Manny Pacquaio’s fans are grumbling that their idol lost because there were too many congressmen during the fight in Las Vegas. They said while fans were cheering him ‘Manny, Manny, Manny!’’ the congressmen were shouting ‘Money, Money, Money!” – Today’s Joke’ portion of PDI columnist Neal H. Cruz in “As I see It”
(mno(at)sunstar(dot)com(dot)ph)
(March 24, 2005 issue)
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