Saturday, December 08, 2007 Quijano: Of low blows and low ratings By Jingo Quijano Last Round
IN a recent article posted at www. philboxing.com sportswriter Ronnie Nathaliesz reported that the boxing spectacle “Payback” generated dismal TV Ratings. According to Ronnie, the “AGB Nielsen Media TV Meter data showed an average rating of 8.2 percent from 10:30 a.m. to 4:26 p.m. in Mega Manila although it rated higher in the suburbs at 9.6 percent. …The coverage of the PBA games which followed…also over ABC 5, had a steady 6.9 percent average in the suburbs but a lower 4.2 percent for the first game and a higher 6.3 percent for the second game in Mega-Manila.”
What does the foregoing imply? It’s simple. Allow me to elucidate:
1. People in the suburbs attend Sunday mass in the morning;
2. AJ Banal and Rey Bautista are good performers, but even they can’t hold a candle to the riveting action and compelling drama (read: nonsense) dished out by showbiz talk show hosts who lord it over the Sunday afternoon slot;
3. Suburbia breeds servility, ergo, suburbanites don’t really mind being subjected to psychological and mental anguish brought about by the endless commercial breaks as opposed to their mega-Manila counterparts;
4. Ex-playboy model Amy Hayes who did the announcing chores needs to wear something more provocative to make the meter go up;
5. People are mortified at the sight of pardoned ex-presidents attending live boxing matches;
6. A six-hour show should not precede the PBA games. Hell, it should not precede anything at all. Finishing it is a feat in itself.
OTHER LOWS. It looks like not only the ratings were low that day, but Last Rounders Melvin Lock and John Pope emailed me to point out that so too were some of Bautista’s blows.
Here’s John: “With referee MacTavish’s view obscured by their backs, Bautista hit Meza with a full-force low blow that was half-a- foot to a foot below the beltline. If it had been seen by the referee, it should have been ruled a flagrant, low-blow foul with a point deducted immediately. Yet the commentator said the WBO rule was that you had to have three referee warnings before a point can be deducted. If this is true, boxing is in serious trouble…..This punch for me marred an otherwise great fight by both fighters.”
Well John, I checked the WBO World Championships Rules and Regulations, and no mention is made of what the commentator stated. In fact, Rule 26 par. B which deals with intentional fouls states that: “If an intentional foul causes an injury, and the bout is allowed to continue, the Referee will notify the authorities and deduct 2 points from the boxer who committed the foul.
Point deductions for intentional fouls are mandatory”
I hope I can catch a replay of the fight so I can examine the incident you mentioned.
Speaking of replays, Dr. Truce Taneo Ordona, a psychologist based in the Quad Cities, Iowa-Illinois, USA inquired about the possibility of acquiring a DVD of “Payback.”
Here’s Truce: “I have been vainly trying to send a letter of encouragement to “Boom-Boom” since his Ponce De Leon KO; I wished Filipinos abroad like myself- who are staunch boxing aficionados- were able to reach to boxers to send them e-mails of affirmation and encouragement, not just the usual negativity and jeremiads heaped upon our poor fallen heroes. Surely many people- apart from spaniel-fawning sycophants—have told you how telling your incisive and insightful boxing columns are. We have 250 Filipino families here and most of us- women included- are boxing fans. We often have “boxing parties” to offer Cebuano dishes while watching Pay-Per-View. “
Thanks for your email doc. I’m sure Boom’s manager, Michael Aldeguer would be more than happy to grant your request. I will also forward your email to him so that “Boom” will know he’s got fans in your neck of the woods.
MMA. Guys, don’t forget to check out Ground and Pound IV called “Shockwave” tonight at the New Cebu Coliseum. It’s a mixed martial arts event organized by the prolific guys behind Yawyan Ardigma Martial Arts Federation Inc.
THE LAST ROUND. It’s on Pureza “Ampog” Mangubat-Tero who celebrates her birthday this week. Cheers!
