LOS ANGELES?Manny Pacquiao neither had a bruise nor a bump to show when he left here for home Monday, after figuring in the biggest, richest battle of his boxing life.
Actually, it would?ve been very fitting if Pacquiao had, say, agreed that his swollen right hand be administered a balm and wrapped for the whole world to see.
In fact, a couple of days back, that overworked hand, used as a fiery tool in the one-sided demolition of the legendary Oscar De La Hoya inside a sweltering, overfilled 17,000-capacity arena at the Las Vegas MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, was still covered with a wide, white plaster.
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How nicely heroic it would?ve been if Pacquiao, say, descended from the plane upon returning home with that taped hand on display.
You know, to serve as a badge of courage.
He was returning to the adoring embrace of poor, suffering countrymen whose hope and spirits he had revived, so wearing a decoration, not unlike a medal of valor, would?ve added a deserved hue to his heroism.
Sorry, but the greatest Filipino boxer won?t have anything unnecessary, artificial.
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The injured hand was swollen and the main knuckle discolored, dark-brownish slightly resembling the face of a warrior who had his share of merciless beating inside the ring.
But the Pacquiao who showed up at the major airport here for his triumphant trip home wore no trappings of a great warrior.
Something in his face resembled honest joy.
He was in a singing mood and, in fact, loomed luminous like a pop star in a cool, classy light brown suit.
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Who knows? Maybe it was Pacquiao?s way of sending across a message against boisterousness and unnecessary loudness.
Listen. A couple of days before the De La Hoya fight, the opposing camp went all-out to demean and disparage Pacquiao.
A tirade was launched through ageless boxing hero Bernard Hopkins, an ex-convict.
In the main press conference, a smirking Hokpins proudly assured international reporters Pacquiao would end up taking boxing lessons from the Golden Boy when they clash in the Dream Match.
Hopkins, speaking like the pope of pugilism, hollered that De La Hoya, yeah, would take Pacquiao to school that Saturday.
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Not content, Hopkins showed up at the official weigh-in where he continued his verbal offensive, belittling Pacquiao?s race and ability.
The way Hopkins put it, Pacquiao should not be flying first class, only his boss Oscar De La Hoya should.
Naturally, this alarmed one perfect gentleman from Manila who took Hopkins to task for insulting Pacquiao, a national sports treasure.
Feeling insulted himself, sportsman Hermie Esguerra rose from his seat fuming.
Esguerra gallantly hollered from the floor and challenged Hopkins to a fight.
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Either Hopkins goofed or he must?ve realized Filipinos cannot be pushed around indefinitely.
The commotion was cut short, with Esguerra receiving nodding approval from many countrymen who showed up for the ceremonies.
Well, to make the long story short, Pacquiao, bullied and demeaned, went on to show the world it was De La Hoya who had no business flying first class.
It?s boxing history now, but didn?t Pacquiao, the underdog, literally trash Team De La Hoya with a masterful performance that saw him dictating and controlling the fight starting second round?
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De La Hoya succeeded with big bluffs. But he was totally unprepared for the Dream Match which the promoters had successfully sold out through the promise of a classic ring encounter.
There was no longer a need to check and certify Pacquiao?s courage, speed, power, overall capability to wage a great unforgettable battle.
Just too bad that, as it turned out, De La Hoya was speaking of his past in projecting what he would be able to do with Pacquiao during their duel.
De La Hoya even sent Pacquiao a red boxing glove with a message saying he would surely knock out the Filipino hero.
As it turned out, De La Hoya was riding loud on complete, shameless falsehood.
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Now, here?s the main point of this report:
During the post-fight conference, while they were waiting for the big victor from the Philippines, the King of Boxing no less, Hopkins was asked by this reporter how he felt now about Pacquiao?s incredible feat.
Didn?t Pacquiao, who was supposed to be taken to school, end up sending De La Hoya to the hospital?
No, stop it, said promoter Bob Arum, who assured Pacquiao was like a son to him.
We, Filipinos don?t gloat, Arum barked red-eyed from the center of the interview stage.
That?s not the point, Arum was assured.
It?s just that, although Pacquiao did not design it, he ended up telling his dishonest American hosts that loudness and falsehood don?t combine to make great, heroic warriors.
Indeed, it was a lesson that was hard to take.
