PACQUIAO SAYS 5 SECONDS AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER
By Ferdinand Dalope PhilBoxing.com Thu, 20 Mar 2008
Newly-crowned WBC superfeatherweight king Manny Pacquiao revealed for the first time that had he been given five more seconds in the third round, it would have been lights out for dethroned Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.
According to GAB Commissioner Angel Bautista, who had a conversation with Pacquiao early morning on Sunday right after the fight in Las Vegas, Pacquiao was about to apply the finishing touches of a knockdown he scored earlier, but the bell somehow saved Marquez from what would have been a knockout.
"Sana pag may five seconds lang, tapos na sana," Pacquiao was quoted as telling Commissioner Bautista, who flew to Las Vegas in lieu of GAB Chairman Eric Buhain who could not make it.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao is scheduled to fly back to Manila on March 22 along with his team, and should be in Manila early morning of March 24, Monday.
A big welcome is expected for the conquering boxing hero, whose exploits abroad would put the country's woes, problems and political strife to a temporary halt every time he fights.
Pacquiao is expected to next face WBC lightweight king David Diaz, and then possibly take on Marquez in a rubbermatch later in the year.
The author, Ferdinand Dalope, poses with GAB Commissioner Angel Bautista and Dr. Nasser Cruz at the Mandalay Bay.
Businessman Jun Laquindanum with Commissioner Bautista at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com
