Two Cents on Pacquiao’s Victory Over De La Hoya

A year ago, it was just a joke made by a sportscaster. A De La Hoya - Pacquiao fight seemed “too farfetched” in everyone’s thoughts, except two men who thought of giving the world a Dream Match.

A few months ago, the buzz of the upcoming fight was all over the news, blogs, TV, etc. A few weeks ago, everybody is giving their own two cents and predictions. Boxing critics all over the world are saying, this fight is lopsided. That this fight is going to be De La Hoya’s comeback fight. That this fight will be too easy that it is widely predicted that the Filipino brawler’s face will be on the floor come 6th round. That hurtful words were even thrown on blogs, forums and distinguished sports networks, all saying that Pacquiao is going down. The odds were 70 - 30 in favor of De La Hoya. It was as if Pacquiao was some rookie boxer who decided to dig his own grave by even daring to go up against a legend. Some Filipinos are even doubtful of Manny Pacquiao’s chances.

We all know how that went. 

To the critics who threw hurtful words, I’d very much would like to go up to you, grab your collars and scream on your faces “Who’s the bitch now, bitch?!” Kidding. But I digress. The thought that they feel stupid after the fight already gives me the same satisfaction. Harhar.

Much to the surprise to many boxing critics, Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao won the much awaited Dream Match against Oscar “The Golden Boy” De La Hoya by TKO. They thought it was ridiculous for a “small” guy to beat a much bigger opponent. I say, these so-called boxing experts depend much of their judgements on math and statistics. True. On paper, Pacquiao can never defeat De La Hoya. His reach is 6 inches shorter and his opponent has a 4-inch height advantage. Plus the fact that Oscar De La Hoya is a boxing legend, garnering championships in different weight divisions. That’s math. But the ring Saturday night (Sunday morning, Manila time) gave everyone a different equation. In fact, they’re forgetting one important thing that even Oscar De La Hoya is aware of - “Everything is different on the ring.”

I say, since when did math become so important in boxing? The math should be limited to the money matters and not on the boxer’s performance. Have you guys forgotten about Mike Tyson already? The dude is as short as President Arroyo and yet he can knockout a guy as big as Shaquille O Neal any day. Where’s the math in that? We’ve seen smaller guys beat the hell out of bigger guys on almost half of boxing history. And yet to these critics, a bigger fighter is almost equal to the winning fighter. Sigh. I just hope those guys gave Manny some slack when they were giving out their predictions. I will not argue anymore how they should have based their predictions on each of the boxer’s skills and not on the tale of the tape. The results on Saturday’s fight is hopefully enough to make them realize that boxing is not about math. Boxing is about skill.

Since we weren’t able to get Pay-Per-View access, I had to watch the delayed telecast on GMA-7. A 4-hour delay that is. After enduring thousands of television ads about car batteries, chicken feed, rubbing alcohols and express delivery services every commercial break, by the time De La Hoya threw in the towel on the 8th round, I was tired as he is and was determined to get some rest myself. Only difference is, De La Hoya will go home with a fat paycheck. I, on the other hand, simply wasted an afternoon of my life.

It was a good fight. Manny showed the world what kind of a fighter he is. A smart brawler. His speed and skill ensured victory as early as the first round. At first I thought De La Hoya was only playing bait. Waiting for that right time when to strike that powerful right hook and crush the Filipino’s dreams with it. That hook never came. By the third round the Oscar’s knees were already tired from Manny’s lateral movements and the American’s body is now sore from the relentless barrage of jabs, uppercuts, and hooks. The handsome face of the Golden Boy was already swollen by the sixth round.

It’s a good thing De La Hoya decided to accept defeat by the 8th round. There was practically nothing else he could do. Pacquiao could hold his pace and exhibit the same energy level even if the fight went on for another 50 rounds. Also, if this was indeed his last fight, going out on a stretcher by being knocked out by a “smaller” guy is too humiliating that it already is. I hope he retires already. For his own sake. For his own health.

As for the Filipino champion, he has once again proven his might. Manny Pacquiao is surely headed for the history books. I wonder what he’d do with his (guaranteed) 11 million US dollars ++. That’s how many in Phil. pesos? That’s a lot. Multi-millionaire much? I also hope he uses some of that cash to help out his countrymen. Especially in the Mindanao area. Lots of people needing help over there.

In the end, David did slay Goliath. The torch has been passed.

Congratulations to Manny.

Congratulations to the Filipino people.