Businessman and sportsman Hermie Esguerra would rather keep a low profile. Even when his race horses win, he prefers to stay in the background and leave his jockeys to bask in the glory. That’s his style. Esguerra doesn’t like to trumpet his achievements. It’s enough that he succeeds in whatever he sets out to do, not for himself but for those who benefit from his accomplishments.
Not too many people know that Esguerra was invited by Erik Morales to witness his attempt to become the first Mexican to win four world boxing titles in Rosemont, Illinois, last Saturday night.
Esguerra met Morales during El Terrible’s two visits here to film commercials for the San Miguel group. They hit it off like long-lost buddies. They played bowling, watched horse races, went to Amanpulo, ate out and enjoyed each other’s company. Esguerra opened his home to Morales.
So after Morales signed to face David Diaz, he phoned Esguerra long distance to invite him to the fight as his special guest. Esguerra and close associate Manny Viray left Manila last Thursday and made it in time for the weigh-in the next day.
Typically, Esguerra didn’t want it known he was Morales‚ guest because he shuns publicity. But the cat jumped out of the bag when Morales insisted Esguerra to wear the team jacket and join the entourage on top of the ring for the introductions. TV cameras caught the only Filipino in Morales‚ camp.
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Throughout the bout, Esguerra sat at ringside beside Morales‚ wife Andrea. When it was all over, he climbed into the ring to console his friend. Diaz won by a unanimous decision but it stunk to high heavens. Morales deserved the verdict because he landed the cleaner shots and had a higher rate of accuracy, 29 percent to Diaz‚ 22. He also scored the fight’s only knockdown.
Sure, Diaz was more aggressive and threw a lot more punches. But Morales blocked or ducked more than he took. And he gave back with authority.
Referee Benjie Esteves, Jr. did a poor job of controlling the fight, allowing Diaz to get away with forearms, elbows, butts and bullying tactics. The three judges did a worse job because they saw the loser the winner. Two of the judges even scored the first round 10-9 for Morales despite the knockdown.
I watched the fight on TV and scored it 115-112 for Morales who, I thought, took seven rounds handily. Fans booed the decision even if they were from Diaz‚ home state. They knew better than the Three Stooges who were disguised as judges.
Morales gained the admiration of his countless Filipino fans for his gallant effort. He was robbed of making history and that’s a travesty. In announcing his retirement, Morales deserved much more than a tainted send-off.
Esguerra joined Morales, his wife and some relatives for dinner at an Italian restaurant after the fight. The mood was somber.
Esguerra is spending two nights in Morales‚ home in San Diego before traveling to New York City for business. He‚ll be back in Manila this weekend.
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“Of course, we‚re all sad because of the decision but as Andrea mentioned, we know Erik didn’t lose so that’s our consolation,” said Esguerra in an overseas call. “Life goes on. Erik will be in Las Vegas on Thursday to watch his brother Diego’s fight. I think the decision wasn’t fair. Someone should investigate how one judge scored the second round 10-8 for Diaz when there was no knockdown and he didn’t really dominate. Another issue is how two judges scored the first round 10-9 when Erik scored a knockdown.”
Esguerra said in the post-fight press conference, Diaz remarked that he won’t apologize for the decision, that he came to fight, that he wasn’t out to please the fans and that he did what he had to do to win.
More on the fight in tomorrow’s column.
