(SINCERE THANKS: To those who attended, offered speeches, prayers, drinks, and all sorts of kindness–mainly Dr. Ruel Reyes of ATR-Torres Wines and Spirits–despite the inclement weather, sincerest thanks from me and my family for the successful launching of “Pacific Storm-Dispatches on Pacquiao of the Philippines” at the National Bookstore, Shangri-La Plaza Mall last Thursday. Keep punching, dear friends.)
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THERE WAS AN ECSTATIC YELP FROM THE crowd whenever Juan Diaz would rip at the gallant but outmatched Randy Suico yesterday at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, venue of Manny Pacquiao’s past twin frustrations.
The cry rose to a piercing crescendo the moment referee Joe Cortez wrapped his arms around the dazed Suico to prevent the Filipino fighter from being irrevocably crushed.
This was late in the ninth round, after Suico swayed limbless, glassy-eyed to another solid combination.
Actually, Suico, often caught helpless against the ropes, could’ve gone down in any of the previous rounds.
But he just would not melt or crack despite terrible bombardment.
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Of course, Suico was totally outclassed by the fierce, methodical Diaz, the Mexican-American who displayed the gifts and grit of a future Mexican ring great in the tradition of the great Julio Cesar Chavez.
“Suico, no good footwork, he did not use jabs to his advantage,” advised writer Rogelio Ordonez, who watched the fight via cable at his place in Alapan, Imus, Cavite.
But Suico had no jab to speak of, the writer was advised, he was pushing, not snapping those limp jabbing attempts.
Diaz was not only rock-hard, he had a buzz-saw attacking style; but he remained calm and never rushed the execution.
Actually, Suico could have tried to fight from outside, but he just kept getting sucked into a furious tug-of-war inside, the champion’s favorite turf.
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All told, the conquest was doubly sweeter for Mexicans in the crowd who repeatedly issued vengeful shrieks over the Diaz triumph.Mexicans at MGM yesterday could not help but see in Suico someone representing Manny Pacquiao, now the subject of combined ire and awe among the fans of Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, who had both been crushed and humiliated by the RP boxing super hero.You see, Mexicans had long been waiting to savor a full-fledged win over a ranked Filipino, following the incredible Pacquiao dominance of a slew of Mexicans, including his latest victim, former two-time world champ Oscar Larios.* * *The Diaz win over Suico hardly settled the issue, but Mexicans could not help but celebrate beyond the merit of yesterday’s one-sided victory.It was not even close, and those who knew their boxing were one in swearing that the challenger, except for a big fighting heart, was never in the league of the Mexican 135-lb king.Maybe Mexicans felt yesterday it was their time to rehearse for a victory cry for the scheduled Nov. 18 rubber match between Pacquiao and Morales at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas?At least, that’s what Morales has been vowing to his countrymen–that he would strike back and emerge triumphant–for his third, and maybe final, encounter with Pacquiao.You can bet Mexicans also welcomed the news of Pacquiao being rushed to the hospital on Friday for vomiting and stomach pains.Anything that could diminish Pacquiao’s fabled might and sharpness is expected to be welcome news among paisanos of both Morales and Barrera. * * *
Pacquiao knows he would be carrying an immeasurable responsibility in his third clash with Morales.
On the other hand, you can bet a Morales revenge win over Pacquiao would result into a national day of redemption all over Mexico.
Morales has been bragging that he has finally found a fool-proof winning (ganador) formula against Pacquiao, as reported by the Bulletin’s Nick Giongco quoting Mexican sources.
Morales has vowed to be a hundred percent in shape “to guarantee a win.”
Of course, there will be no guarantee of victory for either Morales or Pacquiao.
Morales is coming wiser from defeat.
Pacquiao could enhance his chances if he stays on his toes, and brings in new might and skills based on what he has learned from his victory over Morales.
