When Pacquiao enters the ring, the Filipinos at home and all over the world are with him. From Round 1 till the end, the Filipinos are there for him, cheering him on, praying for him, hoping that he will finally deliver his famous Pacman punch and TKO.
Sadly, that TKO never happened last Sunday. Worse, Pacman looked like he got more beatings from Marquez. There were some rounds Pacman looked stronger, his jabs very strong, had these landed on Marquez. But most of his jabs did not land firmly on Marquez. The few that did hurt Marquez was strong proof that Pacquiao’s punches are really to reckon with.
However, at the end, it was a bloodied Pacman who appeared on TV, not Marquez. Not boxing professionals or fans even (we watched the match to closely observe the reactions of our kababayans in Tsukuba, Japan), we noted the following remarks of our friends.
“Sinong panalo sa round?,” they would ask each other after the bell rang to signal the end of one bout. In total, Marquez seemed to have won most rounds, even among the Filipinos who were glued to the TV that day.
“Mukhang nahihirapan si Manny, ah, remarked some in the group.”
“Di kasi nag-sign of the cross before the round,” observed another.
While waiting for the final decision of the judges, there were some moments of silence as they watched Pacquiao linger at his corner, praying. Seeing his wife cry as well added to the apprehension that maybe, just maybe, Pacquiao would lose his crown and that Marquez would win.
“At best, it will be a draw,” the optimist in the group declared. Then, the group went on a round by round review summary of who was stronger, why.
Then, the announcement was made. Judge 1 declared a draw. That elicited applause from the Filipinos. Then Judge 2 gave one boxer 1 point more than the other. The Filipino watchers became very very silent.
Finally, Judge 3 gave one boxer more points more than the other. And to everyone’s surprise, from Pacquiao to his wife, to Marquez and all others inside the ring, among the watchers all over the world, the unanimous decision declared Pacquiao, the defending champion, the winner!!!
Of course, there was much rejoicing, there was much applause and relief, yes, relief that Pacquiao came out the winner!
But did he truly win, fair and square?
Marquez felt robbed of his victory. Even the Filipino people were divided about the unanimous decision.
And all sorts of discussions and debates ensued and for sure, are still continuing without resolution until now.
Like this letter of request to Pacquiao.
“Pakisulat sa The Freeman, ask pacquiao to stop na yong boxing nya kc may mga signs na. first yong kantiaw ng mga tao at feel nla si marquez ang nanalo, na hindi naman. nandaya pa si marquez nangapak pa ng paa.“
“Sbihin mo there is such thing as joyful detachment. Marami ng blessings na binigay si LORD sa kanya. Ang gustong ng mga promoters nya laban pa kc greedy sa pera.
“Tell pacquiao to help na lang the poor, tuwa pa si LORD sa kanya.
Sbhin mo we are always one with him sa prayers sa mga fights nya. Yong ang nagpapanalo sa kanya, prayers ... “pero yong nagsasabi sa kanya na go fight evil forces yon gusto lang pera. Eh naduling duling na nga mata nya at tumatanda na rin sya ... kc kung fight pa sya di na nya ma enjoy yong pinaghirapan nya. cge paki sulat sa freeman ha.”
“Pacquiao shld listen to family like mommy dionisia, sister na ayaw na nila mag boxing pa pacquiao at mga bata affected iyak kc akala matalo papa nila. Yung ganun aywan ko kung ano, Divine Intervention or Joyful Detachment. There is always a time for everything ...”
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Email: cherryb_thefreeman@yahoo.com