A nation obsessed with too much politics that has divided the people rejoiced as one the other day, thanks to Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao, whose sensational sixth-round knockout victory over Mexican Hector Velazquez in Los Angeles, California has united the Filipino people as one race, even if momentarily.
His victory was a pleasant distraction to all things unpleasant. It would indeed be good if he gets to fight during moments of trouble that affects the citizenry because he is now the people’s rallying point. His triumph is the triumph of country and flag.
But for a time in the fight, Filipino fans had their anxiety when Velazquez engaged Pacquiao in a toe-to-toe battle, until the sixth round when the Filipino pride unleashed a 15-second, nonstop, two-fisted attack a la Sugar Rey Leonard, sending his Mexican foe to the canvas.
Velazquez managed to get up, but the referee saw him glassy-eyed and signaled a halt to the fight. Pacquiao’s victory capped a “triple treat” for the country as a two other Filipinos — Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista of Cebu and Hawaiian-born Ilocano Brian Viloria — also knocked out their Colombian and Mexican opponents, respectively.
Bautista scored a third-round stoppage of tough Felix Flores and Viloria did a similar thing, although very much earlier in the first round over defending World Boxing Council flyweight champion Eric Ortiz.
Pacquiao’s return match with Mexico’s Erik Morales will go on as scheduled in January next year despite the shocking loss of the Mexican at the hands of American underdog Zahir Raheem in the scheduled companion 12-rounder.
