Every boxing aficionado in the country last week expected Manny Pacquiao (41 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws, 33 KO’s) to transform the Araneta Coliseum or the Big Dome in Cubao, Quezon City July 2 into an instant roped slaughterhouse when he tangled with dynamite-fisted Oscar "Chololo" Larios and do what Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, Sr. did to Harold Gomes on March 16, 1960 on the same venue: wipe the canvas with the visitor’s lips.
They placed heavy bets that Larios (56 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, 36 KO’s) would not finish the full route and capitulate in the third or sixth stanza as predicted by prized coach Freddie Roach. (But Larios proved them wrong. Larios was still standing as the bell sounded to end round 12, the end of the fight. Larios though was knocked down in rounds 7 and 12.)
QUICK KILL
Like in the Elorde-Gomes tussle, Pacquiao’s strong determination to execute the visiting rival in grand fashion ala matador aiming for a quick kill in the Barcelona bullring is fueled by high public expectations whipped up by media mileage and gargantuan publicity of the ABS-CBN-backed US$4 -million promotion.
Pacquiao was aware that his failure to put up a gallant show before an adoring hometown crowd meant a terrible disappointment as fans expected for no less than a knockout win for the local hero. (But Pacquiao fans got a scared of their lives when Larios showered Pacquiao with his left and right fists in the third round.)
That psychological baggage has victimized the likes of Alejandro "Cobrita" Gonzalez and Luisito Espinosa to mention only a few. Heavy-favorite Gonzalez, aiming to snatch Espinosa’s WBC featherweight belt in 1997, was brutally disposed of by Espinosa in the fourth round during a rematch in Gonzalez’s hometown in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Gonzalez, who kayoed Espinosa in two rounds three years earlier, had predicted a more destructive ending for Espinosa and paid dearly for his pre-fight braggadocio.
The same Espinosa kissed goodbye his WBA bantamweight bauble in 1991 when he was mauled black and blue en route to a shock fourth round knockout defeat to the visiting Venezuelan underdog Israel Contreras also at the Big Dome.
NO MATCH
Espinosa had the crowd behind him but their cheers and jeers were no match to Contreras’ blistering fists, thus momentarily ending the Tondo boy’s colorful fistic career (He bounced back to grab another world crown in the higher division.
Battle-scarred Pacquiao was heavy favorite to roll past his tune-up customer Larios in route to a multi-million third match with Erik Morales in November in Las Vegas.
Since he fought in front of his compatriots, Pacquiao should have obliged himself to put up a devastating performance to please his benevolent sponsors led by San Miguel Corporation, movie producers, relatives, hangers-on, etc.
He must have impressed including those who didn’t believe in his invincibility as a certified ribcracker. (However, he allowed the fight to last the distance to avoid lucky punch from Larios. Moreover, "Na awa ako sa kanya as he smiled when I hit him", Pacquiao said.)
DREAM
Fighting before a hometown crowd has always been a dream for superstars like Pacquiao.
But there are also big risks—overconfidence, distractions, over-hyped and burn-out.
In his eagerness to quickly flatten Larios, Pacquiao might prematurely empty his gas and fade away in the long run. (This did not happen.)
Sources from the Teiken Gym in Tokyo where Larios was holed up for at least three weeks prior to arriving in Manila, said orthodox Larios trained hard to last the distance; meaning, his training regimen included revving up his lateral movements and honing his dizzying footwork. (His rigid training paid off as the fight showed.)
Larios will never engage the dangerous Pacquiao in a phone-booth brawl and will avoid the boxer-cum-movie actor like a leper until the final bell. The plan is to prevent a visit in the canvas and finish the 12-round shootout with head unbowed win or lose. (Larios deviated from his fight plan according to his manager Reynaldo Mendoza. He fought Pacquiao toe-to-toe that enhanced two knockdowns.)
If the fight went the distance, a point victory for Pacquiao isn’t far-fetched considering that his outfit, the Manny Pacquiao Promotions (MPP) has the "bigger say" in the rich promotion. (Accurate prediction).
BLOOD THIRSTY
The blood thirsty Filipino fans who expected Pacquiao to dismantle Larios, went home empty-handed and dissatisfied as they have lusted for Larios’ blood like spectators in the Roman Coliseum. (Pacquao boxed his own way) and allowed Larios to remain fighting until the bell sounded to end the boxing.)
Larios, received his biggest paycheck of US$400,000 after the fight in a checkered career, who lost nothing but gained everything much. He thanked the Filipinos for giving him the chance to fight.
Pacquiao, maintained his reputation as a Mexican killer and the universal billing as "one of the most exciting fighters in the world today." /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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