There will always be participants of the sport for the perils of it is transcended by the honor and dignity that boxing brings to the country, family and to the competitor himself.
The enormity of Manny Pacquiao’s triumph last November 14 has taken over the headlines nationwide the following day by landslide, clouding up all other relevant events in the country. Pacquiao’s demolition of the erstwhile WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico put the Philippines in the annals of boxing history as the home country of Manny Pacquiao, the first professional boxer to have ever captured the unprecedented seven world championships in seven weight divisions. It’s now a week removed from that ecstatic Philippine Sunday, but people are still having hard time pushing out the hang over of the national euphoria as it was enkindled by the conquering hero’s return Friday. Expectedly, a deluge of stories regarding the conquest and personal life of the 30-year old humble and legendary boxer hit the print and electronic media once again like the massive flood that hit the capital just recently. Certainly, Pacquiao has toiled and earned such heavy attention of the masses towards him and indeed, he is the pride and joy of this troubled island nation in eastern Pacific. And so we are highly grateful to have him in our lifetime and whether some one else will be able to trace his footsteps in the foreseeable future is decidedly doubtful, but not close to impossible.
In truth Pacquiao was not alone in the same boxing battlefield last week; a couple of fellow Filipino fighters fought along side with him and who, in one way or another were able to help raised the tri-colored Philippine flag in fulsome strings of victory on that day which was seen around the world.
Richie Mepranum of Sarangani Province, in one of the under cards was able to defend his post, but at the expense of a very harsh battle against the formidable, tough and determined opponent in Eden Marquez. Mepranum was able to deposit his Mexican opponent to the canvas in one of the heated exchanges of biting leaders during the 2nd inning of their 6 – round battle. But the sturdy Marquez being a descendant of the greatest warriors in both boxing and political history came back and reversed the situation of the fight by hurting the Filipino in the fourth round. Until then, the fight became extremely difficult for Mepranum holding to dear life as he tired, whereas, Marquez was still visibly strong that, had it not been for the knockdown earned by Richie, he would have lost the fight. He barely escaped defeat via split decision.
For his own fight, the hometown mate of Pacquiao himself, Eden Sonsona of General Santos City started strong and confident with unforgiving intent to inflict pain on his opponent as quick as possible. Sonsona’s projectiles of cruising left straights was reminiscent of the young version of Pacquiao that right in the opening round he was able to canvassed his overwhelmed American opponent. For good, Eilon Kedem from New York did two more trips to the canvas in the 2nd round, prompting referee Joe Cortez to stop the fight, allowing Sonsona to collect his one sweetest victory via stoppage.
In the same venue, MGM Grand Garden Arena, another Filipino headlined a fight card arranged by Top Rank as a taster to the epic battle. Z “The Dream” Gorres of ALA Boxing Gym in Cebu City was dominating his hard-punching Colombian adversary by utilizing his classical boxing skill until a sudden and gloomy but concomitant event befallen him. 30 seconds left in the last round, Z Gorres in a life-changing twist of fate was hit on the chin by a hard punch from the stone-handed Luis Melendez; he went down but survived the customary eight-count interval. Every boxer perhaps who is fighting on a foreign land deeply aspires victory not only for himself or family but for the glory of his country and had it not been for this highly noble cause Gorres would have refused to get up as his legs appeared still wobbly while receiving his due recognition for his win. Shortly after his hand was raised in victory, he walked back to his corner and there, the native of Mandaue City fell unconscious. He left the ring on stretcher and was rushed to the nearby University Medical Center in Las Vegas where he was at once subjected to a medically induced coma while a portion of his skull was opened in order to remove a blood clot. Providentially, it did not take days for Gorres to be able to show hopeful signs of quick recovery and indications of his chance to live a normal life again; albeit his patron Antonio Lopez Aldeguer, owner of the popular ALA Boxing Gym in Cebu City has been vocal not allowing Gorres to fight again. Meanwhile, Michael Aldeguer, business manager of Gorres and son of his long time patron concernedly look into the well-being of Gorres as he fights the toughest fight ever of his life thousands of miles away from the comfort of his own family. His fighting could be over but the philanthropic Aldeguers made it clear that an off-boxing job awaits every retiring boxer under their care.
Gorres case is the common danger associated to the sport; every boxer is conscious of it once they step unto the ring, but in a safer conjecture, there will always be participants of the sport for the perils of it is transcended by the honor and dignity that boxing brings to the country, family and to the competitor himself. Boxers are equally heroes irregardless of the magnitude of the fights they were into. Richie Mepranum, Eden Sonsona, and above all Z “The Dream” Gorres, you too, certainly made our country proud and happy for your gallantry and triumph in that war of last week.
