Like everyone else, I was shocked at Oscar de la Hoya?s performance against Manny Pacquiao the other day. Actually, it was more like a non-performance.
Freddie Roach was so on the money when he said ODLH could no longer pull the trigger. Heck, Oscar came in unarmed last Sunday.
He tried a lame “My style is to go forward. Manny Pacquiao fought well on his toes and waited for me to make a mistake” excuse but we all know better.
Manny on the other hand came prepared to do battle. He entered the arena wearing a big grin, loose and bouncy, waving to the crowd and looking every bit the confident and eager warrior.
Oscar looked emaciated, glum, unsmiling and acted like a condemned man being led to the gallows.
Further analyses will serve no useful purpose at this time. Everyone saw what happened.
To be sure, there are different takes on the fight and Manny Pacquiao. We were curious as to how friends and acquaintances felt the day after the Sunday before. This is what I got:
Maria Montelibano, TV director: “The reactions of Filipinos worldwide simply affirm our need for heroes; the young especially showed their search for nobility and knights in shining armor.”
Chot Reyes, coach, Talk ?N Text Tropang Texters: “What a testament to HEART, great COACHING, EXECUTION and Filipino pride.”
Governor Oscar S. Moreno, Misamis Oriental: “Pacquiao has made us proud to be Filipinos once again. Yes, the Filipino can!”
Arben Santos, businessman: “Manny really prepared well. The added muscles in his upper body made him deliver stronger punches. Clearly Oscar struggled with the lower weight. Manny?s adrenaline flowed after the first round when he saw Oscar?s condition. A great day for Filipinos!”
Buddy Encarnado, ex-PBA chairman, board representative Sta. Lucia Realtors: “No doubt Manny has placed himself as the greatest Filipino boxer ever. I join the Filipino nation in celebrating his momentous feat at a time when everything in our country seems to be going bad.”
Jess Mendoza, chairman, Letran Alumni Foundation Inc.: “A welcome surprise and thanks Manny, we needed that.”
Freddie Ortiz, banker: “De la Hoya came out to make money and thought he could win with one lucky punch. Manny?s team-up with Roach was the clincher. Manny was his usual matapang and calculating self.”
Willie Marcial, PBA Media Bureau chief: “Hindi nakaporma si Oscar. Pero tingin ko kahit nakaporma siya, talo pa rin siya sa mga galaw at suntok ni Manny.”
Allan Gregorio, coach, Burger King: “Manny was all heart from the get go. Mabuhay ka, Manny! Mabuhay ang Pinoy!”
Atty. Lino Dumas, practicing lawyer: “Manny did his homework excellently. Epitomized the diligent and hard-working Filipino. Kudos Manny!”
Dominic Uy, sports commentator: “Domination by Pacquiao! Great win, but a bit disappointed. I expected a better fight.”
Danny Espiritu, player agent/businessman: “In my mind, Manny fights best when he is the underdog. He?s the greatest in his class.”
Michael Aldeguer, President, ALA Promotions: “Awesome! Fought an excellent fight that would be talked about for decades.”
Meloy Casas, architect: “Great tactical fight by Pacquiao!”
Minnie Carbonell, businesswoman: “While Manny prepared well, Oscar did not give him a good fight. It seems he fought for the money and the right to promote the Pacquiao-Hatton fight.”
Dong Capinpuyan, TV Director: “Manny is up there with Henry Armstrong as one of the greatest all-time pound for pound boxers.”
Anthony Suntay, sports commentator: “Manny?s win just proves what a special athlete he is. Some say Oscar is old, or always over-rated, but we should focus on the fact that Manny is a special, once in a lifetime athlete.”
Raul Laurente, talent manager: “Manny has improved immensely, very fast on offense, careful in defense. One more win and he can be elected senator.”
Conrad Chan, proprietor Jaffas car accessories shop: “Nakakahiya si de la Hoya!”
Ray Roquero, director, PCSO: “A masterpiece, an incredible showcase of sheer, sweet courage and magnificence that epitomized the Filipino?s indomitable will and human spirit to triumph. Manny?s victory burned so bright it choked my throat and burned my eyes.”
Atty. Romulo Macalintal, presidential lawyer: “Pacquiao proved wrong all the so-called boxing experts here in the States like Angelo Dundee, Hatton and Hopkins. As I said before the fight, what happened when Cassius Clay was a 1-7 underdog to Sonny Liston would be repeated. And it was.”
Jason Webb, ex-PBA player, sports commentator: “Pacquiao is a boxing god.”
Atty. Bert Neri, practicing lawyer: “Unbelievable! I?ve never seen Manny fight that way. Oscar looked old and tired.”
Sonny Barrios, PBA Commissioner: “Awesome!”
Bruce McTavish, international boxing referee: “Manny beat the idea that a good big man beats a good small man. He now rightfully should be rated as maybe the greatest Filipino boxer ever!”
Cucuy Elorde, boxing gym owner: “With the win, Pacman proved his remarkable power and skills. Truly a great champion!”
Boyet Fernandez, coach, Sta. Lucia Realtors: “Proud to be a Filipino. He deserves to be the #1 pound for pound. De la Hoya should retire.”
Herman Salvador (Brod Pete), comedian, writer: “Sorry just woke up. Manny won? Against whom? When was this?”
