Nalzaro: A ‘reinvented’ Pacman

After he lost to Australian boxer Jeff Horn last year, I was one of those who gave an advice that it would be better for the Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao to hang his gloves.

I observed in that fight that he was no longer the Pacman I used to see with his powerful punches and stamina. At 38 then, Manny was no longer in his usual shape. His age was catching up with him. Horn was much younger and had adopted a dirty strategy in his fighting skills. He closed his body to Pacman and frequently embraced the latter. Thus, Manny had difficulty knocking him down with his powerful punches at a distance. Matod pa ni Mommy Dionesia, mama ni Manny, nga lover boy to si Horn kay

manggakos man.

But the Pacman again showed his usual antics in his fight as the challenger against Argentinian fighter Lucas Matthysse, the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight world champion. The fight was held in Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Pacman was quick in his foot work and with his power punches. We witnessed a “reinvented”

Pacman. He showed his ring experience.

Paquiao has a record of 68 fights, 38 by knockouts, 59 wins and seven losses. While Matthysse has 39-4-0 with 36 knockouts. The Argentinian fighter is much taller than Pacman and has a long reach. He is also much younger than the Filipino boxer who is an eight division world title holder.

It was a technical knockout by Pacman in the seventh round. Matthysse was knocked down in the third and fifth rounds after being hit by Pacman’s powerful punches. He was sent to the canvas in the third round and forced to kneel in the fifth round. But the final blow was in the seventh round where referee Tony Bayless stopped the fight.

Pacquiao came out too aggressive from the first round and was really looking for a knockdown. He was successful in the third round when Matthysse was sent to the canvas after being hit by his left upper cut. Then, two rounds later, there was a repeat.

Pacman earned the second knockdown when a short right hook landed square on the temple of the Argentinian boxer, which forced him to kneel.

But the final blow came in round seven. Pacman scored another big left upper cut that put Matthysse down for the third and final time, giving Pacman the knockout. In round six, the fight was suspended for few minutes when Pacman complained about being hit below the belt. Naigo ang lagay ni Pacman. Sakit baya na. But Pacman retaliated by releasing successive jabs to Matthysse.

However, the Argentinian boxer survived. If it’s a knockout, there are no more questions. But if it’s a unanimous or split decision, there are so many nagging questions and doubts. Kay gitikasan. Kay ang mga judges dunay gipaburan.

Boxing experts like Oscar “Golden Boy” Dde la Hoya, who co-produced the fight under MP Promotion, predicted a knockout against Pacman. De la Hoya said that if Manny wins, it will be a unanimous or split decision, but not a knockout. He thought Manny was too old enough to knock down Matthysse. De la Hoya was Manny’s contemporary but he retired earlier. De la Hoya was wrong in his prediction.

In the post-fight interview, Matthysse was all praises for Pacman. Though defeated, he said it was memorable fighting a great fighter. I am not a boxing expert but in my own analysis, Manny is still good for one or two fights. But it will depend on his opponent. Mabuhi ka, Manny. You bring another pride for the Filipino people.

Thanks to my friend Jay and wife Maridel Ruiz for inviting me to watch the fight in their residence. We then celebrated Pacman’s victory until the evening.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph