Saturday, August 30, 2008 Quijano: Staying true to the script By Jingo Quijano Last Round
I RECKON the script for Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista’s much awaited ascension to the pinnacle of Philippine pro boxing may not allow for any further revisions.
The stunning loss to Daniel Ponce de Leon actually added a intriguing twist to this unfolding saga, but whether or not Bautista can transcend that debacle and eventually ensure a happy ending to this tale is an eventuality only his prodigious fists can dictate.
EFFECT. Experience has shown that a loss suffered early in a boxer’s career may actually prepare him mentally and strengthen his resolve. Indeed, it is only through attrition that we learn how good or bad we can become.
Manny Pacquiao’s early career losses to Rustico Torrecampo and Medgoen Singsurat definitely made him realize the folly of his ways and through the years, he morphed himself gradually into a more complete fighter.
However, on the other end of the spectrum are those fighters who never fully recovered from devastating knockout losses. Junior middleweight champions Fernando Vargas and David Reid were never the same after Felix Trinidad got through with them.
Ironically, “Tito” himself would suffer the same fate at the hands of “The Executioner” Bernard Hopkins.
BURDEN. Sometimes a first loss is a terrible psychological burden to bear. Some fighters have confessed to actually having felt like a load being taken off their chests after their first loss.
But of course, there’s an elite few who would never even entertain the thought of losing. Who can forget Floyd Mayweather and his “39 have tried and 39 have failed” mantra?
In Bautista’s case, it may not be the actual loss per se, but on the manner that it was administered. It was swift, brutal and anti-climactic to the impressive wins earlier registered by his World Cup of Boxing teammates on that fateful night.
As he prepares to duke it out tonight with a tough Mexican hombre nicknamed “Anestesista” for the numbing power in his fists, Bautista must take into account that he is not really a “young” fighter anymore.
Sure he’s still 22 years old, but there a lot of young, world champions out there. Promoters are forever watching out for the next great champ and if he doesn’t put together a couple more impressive performances the parade might just pass him by.
The sooner he matures and grows out of the “prospect” tag the better for him.
During the press conference for tonight’s fight, Bautista’s savvy manager, Michael Aldeguer revealed that an undercard appearance on the Dela Hoya-Pacquiao mismatch on Dec. 6 is a distinct possibility.
But of course, there’s this no small matter of an appointment with his anesthesiologist.
See you tonight, Last Rounders.
DELA HOYA’S DEADLINE. In the end, Oscar dela Hoya’s self imposed Dec. 6 deadline for his career to end left him with little choice but to pick the most available fighter out there who will bring him the most money.
Had he opted to take back his word, he could well have waited for the results of the Sergio Moya vs. Vernon Forrest bout or Antonio Margarito vs. Joshua Clottey and availed himself of a credible opponent his size.
Is that how you end a brilliant career? Tsk..tsk…
THURSDAY CLUB HOOPS. Thanks to the teams and participants of the Thursday Club Basketball tournament and to Coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug for gracing the affair.
Our very own Sportswriters Association of Cebu City will take part in this tournament as we are hoping to demonstrate that we actually practice what we preach.
Of course guys, the operative word here is “practice”, if you get my drift.
LAST ROUND. It’s on Roger and Moying Lee’s healthy, bouncy baby boy, Aron Ryan Lee. Cheers!
