Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Quijano: Manny’s turn to elect By Jingo Quijano Last Round
IT had to take a diminutive, smart and charming opponent of the fairer sex to knock Manny Pacquiao out. Of course, this was for a different title, one wherein no purse bids are held but the protagonists nonetheless exchange punches of the different kind.
Just like boxing, we take punches in life, and as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill us is supposed to make us stronger. Is Manny a stronger person for what happened to him? That only he can answer but I definitely hope he remains to be a strong fighter as the list of probable opponents ready to take his head off continues to lengthen.
While Manny was busy shaking hands, signing autographs, attending rallies or parties, or whatever it is candidates do, undefeated Joan “El Pequeño Tyson” Guzman (27-0-17) was most likely hitting the heavy bag in the gym, intent on increasing his punching power to match the Pacman’s offensive arsenal.
Juan Manuel Marquez was most probably doing the roadwork, knowing that he has to outlast Manny if he is to have a chance.
Marco Antonio Barrera, still smarting from his loss to Marquez, was most likely reviewing tape of Manny’s last fight against Jorge Solis, specifically the instances wherein Manny got tagged by straight right hands.
Humberto Soto, who is preparing to fight Bobby Pacquiao, was surely shadowboxing in the gym, imagining it was Manny and not Bobby in front of him.
The list goes on…. Who will Manny choose? The local elections may be over, but now it’s Manny’s turn to elect whom he wishes to fight. Please make the right choice, Manny, and train harder than you have campaigned. A second knockout loss would be too much for our poor hearts to bear.
A LEFT HANDED COMPLIMENT. In the meantime, it was reported on www.philboxing.com that reigning WBO and IBF super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe of Britain was chosen to present the Boxing Writers Association of America “Fighter of the Year” award to Manny Pacquiao on June 8 at the Copacabana in New York.
They couldn’t have chosen a better and more fitting presenter. Calzaghe throws the straight left with precision and perfection just like Manny does.
By the way, when southpaws meet, do they shake using their left hands? Just asking…
THE NEXT GREAT MIDDLEWEIGHT? Middleweight champ Jermain continues to be a big disappointment. After narrowly beating the great Bernard Hopkins twice, much was expected of Mr. “Bad Intentions.” Instead, he escaped with a draw over Winky Wright, beat blown up middleweight Kassim Ouma by close decision and last Saturday, eked out only a split decision victory over former welterweight champ Corey Spinks. If that’s the best he can do against Spinks, who twice tasted the canvass against Zab Judah, then he’ll never be ready for super middleweight king Joe Calzaghe, whom he is reportedly eyeing.
He has not dominated his division the way a champ is supposed to do and has not scored even a knockdown in his troubled reign. He may not even be ready for unbeaten Kelly Pavlik (31-0-28) who pulverized fearsome banger Edison Miranda ( 28-2-24) inside of seven rounds in the undercard.
It’s just too bad for Mr. “Bad Intentions,” that we prefer our middleweight champs to be dominant and superior, much like the way Marvin Hagler and Hopkins ruled the roost.
THE LAST ROUND. This week’s last round goes out to the people of Dapa, Surigao del Norte who have accepted me as one of their own. Thank you for the support you have shown this Cebuano who grew up thousands of miles away and for welcoming me into your homes and your lives. It is a bond forged by love and loyalty and is stronger than money. God bless and cheers!
