IF you believe that Manny Pacquiao won fair and square on Sunday, fine. Everybody has the right to either agree or disagree with any opinion. To be sure, the belief generally is Pacquiao was deserving of victory.
Ah, belief. It is the rock that one can lean on when principle is at stake. Vacillate and a core value could get compromised.
With his seventh-round technical knockout (TKO) victory over a tentative, if not hesitant, Lucas Matthysse, Pacquiao, 39, did not only defy Father Time but made his detractors wrong as well. Deviate from that and your mind becomes the devil’s playground. Like mine?
Was Pacquiao’s latest feat done by design or through destiny?
Anybody’s call.
As the world welterweight champion again (World Boxing Association version), Pacquiao clinched a record 12 titles across 8 record belts in eight world weight divisions. The one to surpass, even equal, that is yet to be born.
Sen. Ping Lacson has echoed yet again the refrain playing in the air for the longest time: Retire now, Manny, while still on top.
Correction: While on top again.
When was the last time Pacquiao won by knockout? On Nov. 14, 2009, when he stopped Puerto Rican slugger Miguel Cotto by a 12th-round TKO. From there, he lost four times.
Before Sunday’s fight, almost everybody was of the opinion that the Matthysse bout would, should, be Pacquiao’s last. Last hurrah, so to speak.
Now that he won, will Pacquiao hang up his gloves—finally?
I don’t think so.
As the fight’s chief promoter, Pacquiao spent millions of dollars, including $2.5 million or so for Matthysse. How to recoup his investment?
His win ensured that as it would now catapult Pacquiao back to Las Vegas, boxing’s perennial grandest stage where the big money is—as always.
Haven’t you noticed that almost immediately after Pacquiao’s victory, Lomachenko’s name cropped up just as fast as PacMan’s possible next opponent? Lomachenko is big-money draw anytime.
And how about Terrence Crawford, another mega-money prospect foe for Pacquiao?
Pacquiao isn’t just your typical mythical boxer now but one endowed, tremendously, with a business acumen as well.
Move over, Bob Arum?