Boxing

A 75-Year-Old Lawyer Advises Pacquiao
‘Don’t Cross The River, Manny’

By ALEX P. VIDAL

A well-known lawyer and philosopher in Iloilo City has warned WBC international boxing champion Manny Pacquiao “not to cross the river of no return” and to “follow the dictate of mother nature” when it comes to deciding whether or not to invade the higher division – lightweight (135 lbs).
Speaking in the “Paniudtalk” noon show on IBC TV-12, Iloilo City, Thursday, Atty. Ernesto J. Dayot, 75, said Pacquiao should study his physical barrier saying “there is a danger zone when one crosses over when the current is strong and the river is shallow.”
He was referring to the “danger” that might befall the 28-year-old pound-for-pound ring icon once he will be pitted against legitimate lightweight fighters when he is still comfortable in his current “fighting weight” which is the super-featherweight or junior lightweight (130 lbs).
Dayot’s opinion came after it was bruited that Pacquiao is eyeing WBC lightweight champion David Diaz as his next possible foe in February 2008. Diaz is the same boxer who defeated Erik Morales recently.
Dayot, also a sports and philosophy columnist, said he prefers WBC superfeatherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez or WBA super-featherweight king Edwin Valero to be the Gen. Santos City buzzsaw’s next opponent because “they are the last men standing (in the division).”
Meanwhile, the lawyer from Dingle, Iloilo suggested to Pacquiao “to give space to your body and obey the nature’s law of compensation.”
He said although Pacquiao appears to be showing some proof that he was indeed born to absorb punishments in the ring like James Bond and would always “come out bloody but unvowed”, all boxers, he said, “become physically handicapped when glory fades away.”
“He should know when to retire if it’s time to retire or somebody will retire him,” Dayot said. “Don’t be the richest man in the cemetery.”
Dayot, who describes Pacquiao as “the fastest gun alive”, said Pacquiao should know how to handle his finances well. “His money belongs to him and it does not mean that he will become instant Santa Claus.” /MP