I ONCE said in this column that Manny Pacquiao is too good for them. Them, meaning the business handlers of Barrera, Marquez and Morales Arum, etc. That they are afraid to expose their merchandise, (Barrera and Morales) to possible spoilage in Pacquiao, is now proven beyond doubt. That Barrera whipped Morales (the second time around?) only confirmed their fears. Had they pitted either of their pambato (mainstays), (including a contemplated return match with Juan Manuel Msrquez) with Manny, all would now be as saleable as yesterday’s leftover, wilted saluyot (an Ilocano leafy vegetable) in Mang Tikyo’s sari-sari store.
Now, I will say it again, neither of the two (or Marquez, either) would stand in the way of Manny. That they all have seen it even then is plain enough, more especially the Morales camp. Had they agreed to meet Pacquiao when called, they would be in the kankongan (where water spinach grows, the bog) by now, and wouldn’t even sell for pig forage.
Manny then, would not have to fight this so-so supercharged 3-K Battery something. I have to give it to this Thai pretender, though. Where the, heretofore, much vaunted Mexican gladiators turned tail, this Siamese erstwhile kick boxing artist, took the dare. Just facing Manny in the same ring is enough indication that he’s got grit. By that I doff my hat to him. (I seldom wear one, though.)
Nevertheless, it is also understandable. Fighting Manny would be a win-win situation for this daring Thai. If he get’s beat, nobody would begrudge him. He’d still be in the playing field as good as any of his class.
After all, he’s just, by everybody’s reckoning (except his own), an interloper in Manny’s playground. On the other hand, if, perchance, he lands a lucky wayward roundhouse at a right spot when Manny isn’t watching or if he (Manny) get’s too careless, he’d blaze a brilliant streak, like a shooting star on a Good Friday evening. In that unlikely event, it would be a Good Friday for us GenSanians, until we get over it, anyway.
Now, we’ll all just have to wait for December and hope those guys (particularly Barrera, who might have regained some self-confidence after beating Morales) would gather enough courage to face Manny thereafter. Then, Manny would have a chance at the championship of his division, which would have been already his had things been as they should have been.
