Thus said Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao who’s probably the Philippines’ most adored person at this time after scoring an electrifying win against ring rival Erik “El Terrible” Morales last Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sin City became Filipino Pride Central when Pacman dealt the blows that sent the Mexican boxing icon for the first time in his career to the floor on the 10th round of their rematch.
In the under-card fights, another Filipino boxer, 26-year-old Jimrex Jaca, excited the crowd when he took down his opponent in the second round.
But nothing compared to the frenzy generated by the main event, the Morales-Pacquiao battle.
When at the beginning of the fight, Morales, a terrific counter-puncher, started displaying his considerable boxing talent, Pacquiao’s fans at the Thomas and Mack Center as well as those watching via satellite were on the edge of their seats as they worried whether the Mexican will once again win like he did the first time they battled.
During the break before the third round, his trainer Freddie Roach, with a Zen-like calmness, told Pacquiao to take deep breaths and get back to their game plan.
He did, and that’s how the Filipino superstar began to prove that during this particular war, the force was with him.
Throwing powerful jabs and making Morales’s slight height and reach advantage a non-issue, Pacquiao connected early with a left punch that made Morales hang on to the ropes during the early part of the bout.
Although El Terrible kept coming back with feisty vigor, by round six, Pacman’s steady barrage prompted a journalist reporting from ringside to comment that the bout was turning into a “one-sided fight.”
Pacquiao, whose friendly off-ring demeanor and generous smiles are as legendary as his punching power, said after the fight that he knew by the third round that he would be the winner.
“This time I could see him coming and I was ready for him,” he said.
He added that unlike in their first fight when blood from a cut above an eye obscured his vision of Morales, this time he knew he could finish the job that he believed he could have done the first time they fought.
Even before their brawl began, Pacman could hardly contain his eagerness.
“Go back. Go back,” referee Kenny Bayless repeatedly told Pacquiao when he saw the Filipino boxer prematurely and aggressively leaving the neutral corner.
Later on, as Morales wilted to the ground, Bayless proclaimed the fight finished two minutes and 33 seconds into the 10th round.
As loud and lusty cheers erupted from thousands of flag-bearing Filipinos in the arena, Pacman raised his arms in victory.
Challenged and humbled by the defeat he suffered from Morales 10 months ago, he and Roach worked on a strategy that included strengthening Pacman’s right hand hits to complement his always strike-ready left. They also targeted Morales’ body to weaken him.
And using his beloved Reyes gloves that evidently matched his fists’ immense power, Pacman got his groove back.
“Revenge is sweet,” said Roach at the post-fight press conference. “That’s the Manila Ice.”
In the first Morales-Pacquiao match, the Filipino boxer’s previous promoter dealt away his right to choose his preferred gloves. Roach and Pacquiao said that the pillowy gloves that Pacman had to use then were a factor in his inability to deploy his so-called Manila Ice fighting strategy.
Aside from other distractions, the Pacquiao team said that the gloves cost them the fight.
Excuses, their detractors countered. Even Morales commented several times before the rematch that gloves don’t matter.
But last Saturday’s outcome might have changed Morales’ opinion about gloves.
“Well, look at his face. (Reyes gloves) are puncher’s gloves and I think tonight was proof that the gloves make a huge difference,” Roach said.
Morales missed the post-fight press conference to get his injuries checked at the hospital where reporters waited in vain to interview and take pictures of him.
Pacquiao expressed nothing but good wishes for Morales’ health and career. It is unclear as of this writing if another rematch between the two will happen.
This loss was El Terrible’s third in four fights.
“I had trouble making the weight for this fight,” Morales said through an interpreter. Even at the weigh-in one day before the match, he looked emaciated, a far cry from his usual larger than life presence.
“I am praying that everything is okay with him,” Pacquiao said “This is just a sport, you know, one wins and one loses.”
Pacquiao endeared himself even to Morales’ Mexican fans whom he thanked for supporting boxing.
“I like and I thank the Mexicans because they always support our sport,” he said.
The cheers of Morales’ fans for “Me-hee-co!” at times drowned out Pacquiao supporters’ chants for “Ma-nny!”
Pacquiao offered his victory to his countrymen. He said: “Mahal na mahal ko ang bansa ko at ang mga kapwa ko Pilipino. Para sa inyo ito.” (“I love my country very much and I love my countrymen. This win is for you.”)
“He’s the pride of our country,” said Lily Sy of Bacolod City who came with husband Jonathan, his brother Julio and his wife Pia. Altogether they spent more than $12,000 to fly from the Philippines to see the fight.
“It’s worth every penny,” said Dr. Honesto Poblete of New Jersey who was at ringside with his brothers Conrado and Luis.
“Hopefully, through Manny’s example of always giving his best, our countrymen back home will be inspired to do the same,” said Conrado.
At least during the fight, none of the serious economic, corruption and insurgency problems roiling the Philippines mattered.
Some Filipinos in the crowd though wondered aloud as to who funded the expenses of the Filipino politicians who came to watch the fight. Seen were First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, Sen. Lito Lapid, Rep. Mikey Arroyo, Rep. Monico Puentebella and Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson were among those who were seated in the VIP section of the fight arena.
They were all seen with other celebrities at the victory party at the Wynn Hotel bar, outside of which waited dozens of fans who waited for hours to see him.
Pacman appeared at the party with an apology, saying, “Pasensya na po kayo, gusto ko po kayong i-shake hands lahat pero magang-maga po talaga ang kamay ko kaya kakaway na lang ako sa inyo.” (I’m sorry, I want to shake hands with all of you but my hands are really swollen so I’ll just wave at you.”)
He then excused himself and went back to his suite to rest.
With his win, Pacquiao’s popularity in the U.S. has surged dramatically. More big fights are being lined up for him.
He has also become quite a media darling. Mainstream sportswriters have not scrimped on the superlatives to describe his talent and charisma. They have dubbed the match a “classic.”
American boxing fans are also taking notice.
“He has the heart of a champion,” said Napa, Calif., businessman Rory Dimick who said he bet $10,000 bet on Pacquiao. “It’s like he has an ESP with his fighting so I always bet on him.”
Aware of his growing fan base, Pacquiao promised to get intensive “training” on yet another thing that he felt he still needed improvement on.
“I’m sorry for my English. But I’m learning it. Next time, I’ll be better,” he said with his winning smile before leaving the press conference.
