Philippines, 16 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


VINDICATION: A GENTLEMAN IS BORN


PhilBoxing.com




THE first time Manny Pacquiao took a blazing right hand to the head from Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel in 2012, he jetted face down to the floor.

The result was a lightless night journey, one of the most chilling knockouts in modern boxing.

Pacquiao took a similar right to the face on Sunday, but he hung tough to finish strong and reclaim his stolen WBO welterweight crown by unanimous decision.

His gaping eye-brow wound dripping red, Pacquiao also had the luxury of swooning ?the (boxing) journey continues.?
It?s up, up and away, the legend lives on!

**

Anyway, it must also be told here that Pacquiao was lucky enough the right punch delivered from outside by Tim Bradley in the fourth round was only a poor relative, a distant cousin of the Marquez chiller right that stopped the eight-division world title winner cold on Dec. 8, 2012.

On Sunday, Bradley landed the haymaker as Pacquiao jumped over uncovered, but it was likely the American did not realize he had seriously shaken his fierce, fearless foe.

For the record, the Bradley right, with a slight resemblance to the spear-like Marquez killer blow, landed a little warped, minus the deadly impact of a Bruce Lee lightning blast.

**

Now comes questions on where Pacquiao moves to after having fully re-certified himself among the world?s prizefight elite, maybe equal or next to unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
There definitely won?t be an instant third match with Bradley, called the spinning top (turumpo) by the accomplished poet/essayist Juaniyo Arcellana.

?The classic Pacman is back,? cried young Yousef Velasco of PMS from Dagupan.

?Watch out for the next fight?Pacquiao vs Kim Henares, this will create a media frenzy,? quipped the sharp-nosed Joseph Dumuk, former chief national sports statistician.

Will the tough Bureau of Internal Revenue chief at least consider a slash or reduction from the P2.2 Billion Pacquiao supposedly owes the government in unpaid taxes?

**

There were great moments of joy and fulfillment for thankful people from all walks of life in the country.

The most rewarded, of course, were those who did not mind that Pacquiao failed to deliver a much-sought knockout; their idol after all managed to put up one of the most complete displays of heroism, wizardry and durability on top of the ring.

Himself speaking, trainer Freddie Roach admitted it was not a perfect Pacquiao out there at the MGM Grand Las Vegas on Sunday, calling his prize ward somewhat sloppy. Roach said Pacquiao definitely has the murderous instinct, but was not as quick and smart as he had wanted him to be in that grim battle against the intrepid Tim Bradley.

**

All told, the biggest beneficiary of the great battle at MGM Grand Las Vegas was world boxing itself.

When was the last time a championship match of this magnitude has provided a valid theater complete with the elements of deep drama and, yes, catharsis.

There was redemption (for Pacquiao) and unbelievable reformation (on the part of Bradley).

From brash, abusive champ to a humble Pacquiao admirer, and this happened in a fleeting post-fight closing scene on top of the ring.

Larry Merchant, unusually frazzled, was trying to get Pacquiao?s side of the whirlwind amateur blows Bradley was frantically raining from all over when the dethroned champion butted in:.
?He beat me tonight, he?s the better man, one of the greatest fighters I ever fought,? Bradly was trying to explain to Merchant before he was cut off by a mini commotion caused by the unscheduled appearance of Mommy Pacquiao at mid-ring.

Call it a mini-miracle or whatever, but the drama gave birth to a perfect gentleman, who before the all- revealing battle had also distinguished himself as a mean, villainous heckler.

Meanwhile, after rekindling his heroic romance with adoring countrymen, Pacquiao pauses, rests and licks his eyebrow wound.
Then it?s up and on with the journey--even though, this late, the sky is no longer the limit.

Photo: Pacquiao during the post-fight press conference after he defeated Bradley April 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Because Comebacks Matter: Pacquiao Fights for Us All
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • FILIPINO OLYMPIAN EUMIR MARCIAL, HARD-HITTING CONTENDER OMAR SALCIDO & MORE ROUND OUT LOADED EVENT THIS SATURDAY, JULY 19 AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS
    , Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • Dumam-ag fights in Japan on July 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • UNDEFEATED KO ARTISTS COLLIDE! ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI SET TO FACE ALBEIRO PAREDES
    , Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • Arca to compete in 9th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships 2025 in Zhuhai, China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • Sampson Boxing Announces Signing of Super Lightweight Prospect Jorge De Jesus to Promotional Contract
    , Wed, 16 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 14 JULY 2025: Katie Taylor Makes 3-0 Over Amanda Serrano; Baumgardner Defeats Miranda; Stevenson Outclasses Zepeda; Sheeraz Stops Berlanga
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Champion Forever: A Century On, ‘The City By The Bay’ Honors Francisco Guilledo
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Philippines Shuts Out South Korea, 7-0, in WBSC Women’s Softball Asia Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Manny ready for Barrios
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Don King Productions Rejects Jake Paul's Demand for Mikaelian Step-Aside, Citing WBC Ranking Rules
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Argentinian former world champion "Locomotora" Oliveras Suffers Stroke
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • GM Antonio to compete in Taiwan chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • PACQUIAO-BARRIOS FIGHT WEEK IS HERE
    , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Unbeaten Prospect Alex Bray to Face Lesther Espino July 18, Live on DAZN
    , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Blu Girls Crush Thailand in Explosive Start to Women’s Softball Asia Cup 2025
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Jul 2025
  • Manny motors to Vegas
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Bakbakan sa Elorde on July 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 14 Jul 2025
  • Ringside, Still: Remembering Chino Trinidad
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 13 Jul 2025
  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    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


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.