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Monday, December 05, 2005
Espejo: Pacman's fist of fury
By Edwin G. Espejo
Pacquiao Watch
I AM resuming this column after a brief respite from watching the travails and boxing career of Gensan's very own Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.
Manny will face his arch nemesis Erik "El Terrible" Morales in a highly hyped rematch of their March 2005 bout, which the Filipino boxing idol lost to a close but unanimous decision.
As of this writing, Pacman had already left for the US where he will resume serious training.
Before he left, however, Manny found time to visit his long time mentor Adriano "Rey" Golingan during the latter's son's birthday last week.
Manny arrived with his beauteous wife Jinky and a host of bodyguards at a little past 9 p.m. He left before 10 p.m. saying he had to hit the sack for an early jog around the city the following morning.
He looked trim although he confessed to be tired after a basketball game. Manny said he is down to 135 pounds but I suspect he is just a shade under 140. Not bad. Considering there are still over six weeks to go before fight night.
Appearing very much relax before a handful of select visitors and some members of the local media, Manny told everyone, including apparently Morales and his camp, to expect a different Pacquiao come January 21 (January 22 Manila time).
"Hindi ko siya tantanan," he said.(I will no let go of him)
He said he had learned his lessons well during his first fight with Morales.
"It will be a different outcome this time," showing his fists.
Many may have not noticed it but Manny has added some tricks to his arsenal, which he sparingly used against Hector Velasquez. Pacman knocked out Velasquez with one second left in the fifth round last September 10.
It's a novel punch to counter Erik's jabs. That is if the Mexican can still find time to fight outside. For tactical reasons, I will choose not to disclose that new arsenal. But I have seen Manny deliver that punch in one of his shadow boxing sessions inside Rey Golingan's spartan gym. Man, it is a killer punch.
The Gensan pride said he will storm Morales from bell to bell, corner to corner, just as he did against Marco Antonio Barrera whom he brutally subdued in eleven rounds two years ago.
Manny admitted he was offended by the recent remarks of Morales, who insinuated that the Filipino boxing idol would suffer another loss when the two square off again in Las Vegas.
Reminded that Morales may just be pricking his pride to derail his fight strategy, Manny said he is peeved at Erik's comments that his punches never hurt the Mexican.
"Kung hindi lang siya naksandal sa last round, bagsak na yun eh," Manny exclaimed.
Seriously aside, he said, hindi siya napikon sa sinabi ni Erik but the Mexican better watch out.
Watch out for a cat-quick Manny who will pounce on his prey like a wounded tiger. Like his movie idol Bruce Lee, Manny intends not only to exact revenge.
He intends to knock out Erik like no one did before. Come January 21, watch out for Pacman's Fist of Fury.
(December 5, 2005 issue)
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