Sunday, October 7, 2007
Pacquiao Wins!
Round 11: Marco Wobbles and Throws a Foul Shot
Barrera bleeds and suffers a cut just below his right eye.
He then throws a hard hitting foul shot while referee breaks the lock sending Pacquiao dizzying around the ring.
Four Rounds Per Hour
Just by looking below the timestamps of earlier entries, it takes one hour to finish four rounds. Round 8 has ended and round 9 is about to start as I write this. I seems to take forever before this one closes out. The coverage of channel 7 is typical commercial biased broadcasting. Unlike last April, Jorge Solis versus Pacquiao, channel 2 had shown two successive rounds in between commercials. I hope that the next Pacquiao fight will be channeled by ABS-CBN.
Still, no one has kissed the canvass. Pacquiao remains powerful and full of life. Barrera looks aging and tiring-- half of what boxing analysts has predicted.
Barrera Starts to Run Away
I Feel Like I'm Watching A Rerun
Yes, you read me right. The fight begins to bore me at this point. This is what happens when commercials take control of the event.
I just wished I am watching in a bus station or in a tv repair shop where dozens of people share the same sentiment and cheer for Pacquiao. That would surely bring the excitement a notch higher.
Especially when the two are exchanging power fists straight into the head. Pacquiao overpowers Barrera in round 6. Barrera counters a good right. Pacquiao delivers effective punching at this round.
More Punches from Pacquiao
The phone rang the same time round 5 is taking place. It was my dad, asking about the status of the fight because broadcast in his location was unavailable. I told him what round it is though.
I wasn't able to pay attention closely but I think Pacquiao looked more the stronger fighter with series of punches clobbering Barrera.
Pacquiao Hits
Commentators talks about range.
Manny seemed to have just found his rhythm and found his punches received unnoticably by Barrera. One punch slipped through the close arms defense of Marco, that one shooked his head back and forth.
Still no knock down at this point, I just remember Pacquiao has promised a knock out win.
I still hate commercials.
Sharp punching from Barrera in Third Round
The crowd seems to be ruled by Mexicans. They've been cheering "Barrera, Barrera" and "Mexico, Mexico". I wonder where are the Filipinos in the audience?
Tough battle continues to be shown by both fighters. But Marco launches sharper punches that landed on Pacquiao's face.
It is still early to predict who's the clear winner. Judges should score this round in favor of Marco.
Barrera Takes 2
Pacquiao shook his head left and right showing he's not hurt. Probably, Marco's punch doesn't hurt him.
This one I think goes to Barrera.
Pacquiao Takes Round 1
I really thought someone is gonna get hurt at the opening round. But it appears more of a knowing each-other-phase.
Barrera twice hinged Pacquiao's head when the latter tries to go deep. Some punches were thrown and received.
Pacquiao appears his usual snappy and jumpy state at the beginning.
Marco looks dead-serious. I haven't seen his teeth come out yet. He must be seething inside for revenge.
And Quinito, Chino and some vice-governor seemed to have just taken a quick break. Their voices are back doing their thing.
Both Fighter Enters
Red is the color of the day.
Marco and his cohorts are all wearing red bathrobe-like dress with a mexican rock song heard across the coliseum.
Manny is dressed with white robe. Roach and the rest of the cast are on red. Bilog ang Mundo, Pacquiao's recent song is played on the background as he enters the ring. Upon hearing that song yesterday, it somehow feels good to be a Filipino if and if you're one of the persons belting their voices in the cheering crowd
I Hate Commercials; Kyla Sings Beautifully
But commercials eat a lot of air time three times more than the duration of a round. That's a hair splitting reality. I guess this is just one of things that don't qualify in the norm, "the best things in life are free"
What makes it more funny and irritating is the commercials between anthems.
At least Kyla sangs beautifully from deep within her more exceptionally than the previous singers of past Pacquiao fights and more excellently than that of Bautista's blooper.
Let's Get It On
Today is the fight that the entire Philippines has been waiting for several months now.
Manny Pacquiao will go up against Marco Antonio Barrera. Dubbed as the Will to Win, Manny's objective is of course to further cement his stand and prowess against all super feather weights this world has to offer while Marco Antonio Barrera main driving point is to avenge his 4-year old 11 round knock out loss to the Pacman.
Since I am sitting home here in Angeles City, I will try to do a live blogging of his fight and show to you my round to round opinion once the fight started.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Boom Boom Knees Wobbles
While waiting for passengers in FX terminal in Edsa Central, I got a call from a friend about Gerry Peñalosa snatching the championship belt from his opponent Jhonny Gonsalez.
I was able to watch Gerry pummeled Jhonny in his ribcage because the bus I took from Laguna has a free tv on board. I was delighted that prior the main event, the Filipinos has won and taken the first 5 matches, leading the Mexicans team, 5 to nothing.
On the phone, I told Mark that I feel something is not right about Boom Boom's fight. He was facing Daniel Ponce De Leon, the same warrior boxer who trounced Gerry Peñaloza almost to retirement.
His call was just minutes before Rey Bautista, a promising and unbeaten boxer from Bohol, wobbles his knees into the ropes and on the verge of getting knocked down. He told me, its over.
I was dumbfounded. I never thought he would lost, not in the first round.
So I got out of the FX taxi and took a stroll were people had assembled like a mob just outside a goldilocks watching beneath the glass walls. They were peaking at a 14 inch tv with Boom Boom sullen face being shown.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Mayol Falls Down on 8
I have to write this, else, my mind will go ballistic trying to find the truth.
In the undercard fight of the War for 4: Erik Morales vs. David Diaz, Rodel Mayol received a devastating punch 1:13 left in the clock at 8th round from Ulises Solis for the IBF Mini Flyweight championship.
Ulises Solis is the brother of Jorge Solis whom Manny Pacquiao stopped also in the 8th round last April.
I didn't actually see this fight start and end.
I only saw the flashes of their fight in Channel 2, with the usual Spanish speaking host Diane telling the report.
Undoubtedly, the replayed scenes of Mayol kissing the canvass left him no chance of adding another title belt to the growing number of Filipino boxing champions. What caught my attention was when the host reportedly said, in reference to her after-fight interview, that Rodel admitted having less practice and preparations in challenging the current champion Solis.
Earlier Sunday, the sports page of my fave broadsheet had a news clipping telling a completely different story, that Mayol had prepared so much coming to this fight.
Suddenly, there is a knot in my head that let my hand scratch it quickly. Which news media is telling the story? I can't accussed anyone of them to craft a different scenario, because what purpose would it be if they change slightly the facts behind Mayol's plight.
The news reports was made on entirely different schedule. The broadsheet story came out before the fight, whilst the tv newsflash was shown hours after the bout concluded. There is greater chances that an interviewee would respond to questions with made-up answers before the battle, than reason out a humbling loss in an after-the-bout interview. Logically, losing in the 8th round would mean less practice and exercise in the gym.
Nonetheless, I feel sorry that Mayol had lost. It would have been a varied story, overall, had he snatched the title belt and strapped it in his torso.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Erik Morales Fails to Make History
The El Terrible has tasked himself to become the only Mexican to win 4 championships in different divisions. A feat that not even Julio Cesar Chavez has accomplished during his time.
Come 12 o'clock in the afternoon, I turned on the television and press the channel 9. It was already the Round 8. Replays of the early rounds has been flashed repeatedly as the fight went along.
This time, there were shorter commercial breaks in between rounds which made watching a lot better.
But watching Erik exhausted himself, he was denied the history he's about to make. The fight was decided unanimously in favor of his opponent, Dangerous David Diaz. It was his first title defense and his uppercut was his main weapon in trumping Erik. Probably the reason that let the judges decide on matters was his unconvincing stance that he can take care of Diaz. He just became powerless in the end.
Erik Morales, a Mexican, now 48 wins - 6 losses, has deserved to land a story in Pinoy Balls for the following reasons:
- He is the contra-bida of Manny Pacquiao during their trilogy fight last year and regarded by some as one of the best fights in history.
- He has brought the best of Manny and that alone is worthy of a reason
- El Terrible has a commercial with Manny and Freddie Roach that still runs as I write this. With that, Erik Morales has become a household name in our country.
- He patronized our beaches in Palawan when he came here.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Manny Should Learn His Lesson
Manny Pacquiao is all set for a rematch against his old nemesis, Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. It was finally decided that two should meet again inside the boxing ring after legal dispute between the Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank has reached its end.
The dispute, as every boxing fan can remember, started when the Filipino slugger tried to dance with the two at the same time. His contract with Top Rank was about to expire, and prior to his first rematch with Erik Morales last year sometime in September, he reportedly signed a deal and received a pre-bonus amount with the GBP. Later on, he surprised the boxing world by declaring that he was staying with Top Rank and inked a separate contract.
Eventually, GBP sued Top Rank and suddenly, Pacquiao's career was on a tailspin. After his last fight with El Terrible, there seemed to be no interesting fighter to match against him, with Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and other interesting fighters under GBP's control.
On Friday, we received the news that the supposed fight between Humberto Soto and Pacquiao was canceled to give way for a much better and exciting match worth waiting. Barrera and Pacquiao will do the waltz on a boxing ring with gloves on their hands to be staged on October 6. This match and the future fights Manny is going to battle with an opponent handled by GBP, will be co-promoted by the two camps. For other matches when the opponent isn't a GBP, Top Rank will be promoting Pacquiao whilst the other remaining to have an interest in co-promoting it.
This is good news especially for Pacquiao himself as he will regain the wide options in terms of who will be on his next list. He's on the top of his game and he deserves worthy opponents. Let lessons be learned from this, before putting back that gloves on for practice.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Revenge Episode
Humberto Soto unleashes a shocking left hook.
Bobby Pacquiao humbly received it and kissed the
His brother, Manny, was at the ring side at the start of the match in his support.
I was in the bus so I missed watching that fight.
Later on, the local Channel 2 showed video clips of Bobby losing.
Days before the fight, Manny was awarded Fighter of the Year by a group of American boxing writers.
It could have been a double celebration had Bobby win.
Instead, it made Manny furious and seeks to avenge his kin’s loss.
However, still, there is no confirmation as to who will be Pacman’s next opponent.
If it would be Humberto, I guess his mindset will be focused on revenge.
Now that’s a great next episode to watch out.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Stupid
Yesterday, my favorite broadsheet quoted the WBC president saying that he is scared of facing the current super featherweight champ after declaring that Pacquiao formally denied through a letter, his gaining of the mandatory status in challenging Marquez.
Their last meeting was swarmed with controversies when the fight was decided a split draw, after Marquez was knocked down, three times in the first round. He managed though, to stay up until the last bell sounded. That failed Pacquiao to capture the title belt Marquez was currently holding that time, the WBA/IBF super bantamweight.
My take on the issue is this: Pacquiao is not scared. Actually, I’m not sure if there is anyone or anything he fears these days. He’s alleged to have his own private army as the news reports tell. He isn’t even afraid of any critics with regards to his nerve in singing, that’s why he basked into that career by launching his own music album. He even had his own concerts.
Declaring Pacquiao scared of Marquez or of anything or anyone is a little bit of an off shoot.
The news article cited further that Pacquiao has now three mistakes in his career.
1. Signing contracts with Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank
2. Losing in the political arena
3. Rejecting a bout against the current champion
Think about this, in any matter that involves signing a contract that would tie you up in certain conditions set in agreement between two parties, would you let yourself be in a situation where you’ll have to agree with two different parties of conflicting interest? Of course not! That is plain stupid.
Manny was reported having talks and plans of joining GBP, because last year, months prior Morales-Pacquiao II, his contract with Top Rank was about to expire. It was alleged that he even received a sum of money as a term of pre-payment for his supposed inking a deal with GBP. Then all of a sudden, he surprised everyone to have already closed a deal with Top Rank.
Think about this, if you’re studying engineering, would you be applying for a nursing job after you graduate? Of course not! That is simply stupid.
The boxer from GenSan was born from a poor family. He wasn’t able to finish high school. And he’s been into boxing since he was a young boy who fled his home and went to Manila to in search for a better life. He was once a baker boy and he showed us Filipinos how he rose from the pit of poverty with his pure boxing talent and raw power. Running for a congressional seat is clearly out of his league.
Lastly, I can’t think of any reason why he would deny an offer where he can show to the world that he’s the best pound for pound fighter (and not the Pretty Boy Mayweather) by facing just about any fighter, let Marquez feel his power once again and prove to the judges wrong about their 2004 match up ending in a split decision. Is he now a paycheck fighter looking for a bigger purse because he lost a lot last May elections? I am not sure.
But one thing is certain, these aren't really mistakes. These are results from very unwise decisions.
Monday, May 7, 2007
It's BOOM BOOM Time
~Photo Credits Goes to ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images~Last Sunday, I can only scream at the top of my lungs witnessing Rey Bautista struggled a couple of times against Sergio Medina in a fight highly valuable for both boxers.
Battle of Zero Losses
It was a match of the undefeated. Rey, a native Boholano from Tagbilaran, sported an umblemished record of 22 wins, 0 losses, 17 KOs while Sergio "Rocky" Medina from Argentina was tucked in his wallet with 28 wins, 0 defeats and 16 KOs.
Channel 2 was the one who bought all the rights in showing the bout, featuring the main event between Mayweather Jr and Dela Hoya. As expected, it was packed with galores of advertisements twice or even thrice longer the duration than each round. Good thing I have with me a Sudoku puzzle to while away the commercials.
2-3-1
For majority of the Filipino fans who were glued on the tv sets, they may have observed a glitch on their tv screen. Round 2 was shown first before round 1, followed by round 3. I know I was dizzy the night before because of a couple of drinks with my kababata's, but I wasn't drunk the morning after. Maybe showing round 2 connotes to being channel 2 or number 2, that I can only guess. Somehow, that made the fight quite confusing on who's above and leading at the beginning of the match.
Since I highly regard Boom Boom to follow the footsteps of Pacquiao, and even better than him, I was quite rattled at the course of the fight. Medina is not a boxer you would take for granted. He did give Bautista, the fans and me, a chill on the nerves and spine.
Hardly a knock-out
I was expecting a knockout early in the rounds because Boom Boom is a power puncher. But it only came on the sixth round after a series of flurry exchanges. Bautista managed to corner Medina a couple of instances but the referee may have force Bautista lose his concentration. He persistenly warned Boom Boom to "go up" with his punches in the early rounds, even stopping Bautista in his tracks and finger point him like a kid who stole a candy in a candy store.
Round 5 came the deduction but instead of losing focus, a left uppercut in the 6th round made Medina scuffling backwards and knockdown was ruled. Although the replays showed a slightly different story, the punch seemed to have not clearly landed solidly on Medina's mestizo face.
I thought the referee was to stop the fight
Rocky fought back and rocked Boom Boom to his senses. An avalanche of punches came through him, and into the corner. The punches were drawn and received with a wide open face of Bautista. His right hand was on the ropes. Punches came like bullets of M-16, and his head gobbled back and forth. It appeared as though Boom Boom was helpless and the referee stopping the fight soon. However, referee instead came to the rescue and pulled a busy Rocky from annihilating Boom Boom in the corner and started the mandatory 8 count. It ruled there was a KO because he was clinging into the ropes. He struggled to keep standing in the rest of the round as Medina failed to close the round with another KO.
Date with Destiny
With the match looming to an end, Boom Boom finally end all worries by letting a solid right hook that shook Rocky down on his butt. The match was declared a UD with all three judges’ scores in favor of the Boholano.
Rey improved his record to 23-0-0 (17 KOs) and awarded a crack at the title belt against DeLeon who recently defeated Gerry Peñalosa. That’s a match worth waiting and I suggest he seriously train hard and further develop his power punch even more.
