ASIDE issue has surfaced following the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao mega fight last Sunday that saw the undefeated American win via unanimous decision.
Reports say Manny was not in a good shape because of pain in his right shoulder. He was not able to finish his sparring sessions three weeks before the bout because of it. His camp entertained the idea of a postponement so he could heal, but his doctors allowed him to fight.
At the locker room minutes before the bout, Manny requested to be injected with pain reliever and to take his vitamins. But Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) officials denied his request.
Even Manny?s drinking water was not brought into his dugout. On the other hand, Mayweather was allowed to take a pain killer for his problematic fist. Manny cried conspiracy.
As Filipinos, we can accept Manny’s defeat but only if the competition was fair. For me, what the judges handed down was ?hometown decision? because all of them were Americans. Pride for the United States must have come into play. They could not accept that Mayweather would lose to a Filipino.
Besides, Mayweather considers MGM Grand his home. Every time he fights there, there is an upsurge in revenue. So the tendency is to protect this asset.
But let us not allow ourselves to be diverted by side issues. Let us focus on the fight itself and how the judges appreciated the fight. Maybe NSAC is fair to Manny if his opponents are Mexicans but not if he fights Americans.
Next time, if Manny?s opponent is an American, he should demand that the fight be held on neutral ground like in Macau and that the judges should come from other counties.
Look at how the three judges scored the bout. It was as if it was not close at all. But if you watch the fight, Manny dominated all the rounds although some of his efforts proved futile because Mayweather kept on hugging him and running away from him.
That was the first time I watched a Mayweather fight because I don’t watch boxing bouts other than those of Manny. I say the American boxer is smart. He is not only a boxer but also a runner and wrestler. His style is not worth emulating by young boxers.
But what can we do? Running, hugging and throwing occasional counter punches are within boxing rules. Maybe they should revise those rules. Those who run should be deducted points.
Mayweather’s tactics are not meant to entertain but to win with less effort. Why should he sacrifice himself and allow himself to be beaten by his opponent when there is an easy way to win? He is really an intelligent boxer. Pero way lami nga pagka-champion. Champion sa dagan ug gakus.
If Manny will be operated on, I think he should retire from boxing. He will no longer be effective if he continues and his opponent might exploit the situation.
He may have also second thoughts being aggressive. Look at what happened to some National Basketball Association (NBA) players who underwent knee or Achilles tendon surgery. Some of them have been forced to retire.
In my younger days, I used to play basketball and baseball, which is a very popular sport in Zamboanga City. But when I underwent surgery in my spinal cord because of scoliosis, I stopped engaging in strenuous activities. I am now into ?romantic wrestling.?
So Manny has to think twice before submitting himself to an operation. If he does that, his colorful boxing career might end.
But I think he should retire already and enjoy the fruits of his labor. He has nothing to prove. He already reached the pinnacle of his profession. He has billions of pesos.
He should focus on legislation being a congressman and maybe prepare himself for the presidency. That is if he wishes to become president. Pero unsa kahay mahitabo sa atong nasud no kun siya maoy ma-presidente?
