Friday, April 25, 2008

‘No Political Benefit From Pacquiao’s Win’

By ALEX P. VIDAL
While Manny Pacquiao was being given accolades inside the ring after grabbing the WBC 130-lb crown on a hairline decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez, I took the opportunity to leave my assigned seat as accredited reporter (credentials number SEC 002 Row E#06) to hobnob with several VIPs and showbiz personalities from the Philippines. This was what they said when sought for their comments:
“Sana naman they should not equate Manny Pacquiao’s victory with politics. Iba yong political turbulence sa Pilipinas, iba naman ang panalo ni Pacquiao. Walang kinalaman ito sa politics and politics will not benefit from Pacquiao’s win,” said Helen Gamboa, wife of former senator Vicente “Tito” III and mother of “Unfinished Business” Philippine National Anthem singer, Ciara.
“Yes, definitely. Manny Pacquiao’s victory was expected to change for the better the political climate in our country today as the entire nation was watching the fight and praying that Pacquiao will win for the sake of national unity,” said House Speaker Prospero Nograles.
“I really expected Pacquiao to win even if (Juan Manuel) Marquez came out very strong. Medyo worried lang ako when it reached the full 12 rounds but I had no doubt in my mind that he won. I saw his win as something that can help unite our nation,” said Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Joselito Atienza, Pacquiao’s foster father.
“There was no doubt that Manny Pacquiao won. His punches were tremendous and they landed very well enough to give Manny a clear victory,” said composer-singer Lito Camo.
“Muntik na akong mapa iyak sa saya. Lumulundag nga ako eh. I was very happy to be given the chance to sing the national anthem for our country. I hope that Kuya Manny’s victory will translate into many positive things for our country,” said Ciara Sotto.
When he saw promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud coming out from the event center, Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella embraced the Cebuano hefty and yelled, “Panalo na naman tayo!”
Puentevella’s fellow Negrense and political nemesis, Bacolod Mayor Bing Leonardia said he was personally requested by Pacquiao to again carry the WBC international belt in the ring during the introduction.
“Hindi totoo ‘yan,” protested Lito Mondejar, one of the country’s boxing old timers and perennial carrier of Pacquiao’s belt. “He was the one who requested for it and you can quote me on this.”

Marquez Gave Me A Hard Fight, Admits Pacquiao

The newly crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao has admitted that the Juan Manuel Marquez he fought four years ago is not the same person he challenged and beat by split decision on March 15 for the WBC jewels at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.
“First of all, I would like to thank the Lord for giving me this victory that night,” announced Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs) during a post fight press conference at the media center. “I would like to thank the Marquez Team for giving me a hard fight.”
Pacquiao admitted that “Marquez was better that fight night; he had a lot of improvement and he had a lot of counter punches.”
The 29-year-old Filipino three-division world champion said his strategy during that fight was to counterpunch as he was wary of Marquez’s jabs which “were not like before” during their first encounter four years ago.
Pacquiao acknowledged that Marquez (48-4-1, 35 KOs) had a power but said he could handle it and that if Marquez wanted to defeat him, the dethroned champion should knock him out.
“I could handle his power because of my brave heart,” Pacquiao, who needed at least 10 stitches to close an ugly cut below his right eyebrow, declared.
He suffered two superficial cuts, according to Dr. Jeffrey Ross, who attended to his injury after the fight.
According to Ross, it will take about six to eight months for the wound, caused by Marquez’s wicked right in the sixth round, to heal “but it will not preclude him from training and fighting in his regular schedule.”
After the fight, Pacquiao blamed himself for absorbing that cut which he admitted had affected his performance after he scored a bone-chilling knockdown in the third round that everyone thought would end the fight.
“Masyado kasi akong nag relax eh dahil alam ko na kaya ko ang suntok niya,” he sobbed.
Marquez and his team refused to accept the verdict. At the press conference that followed after the fight, they bewailed the controversial split decision and insisted that Marquez had won convincingly.
“They took away the victory from me even if I won clearly,” Marquez protested. “I’m happy because of the performance I had that night even if I’m already 34 years old. I have proven that Pacquiao is not a superman as what they have been saying about him.” /MP

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