Once again, leading Filipino pugilist Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao lifted the spirits of his countrymen as he battled his latest opponent, undefeated Mexican Jorge Solis, in the packed Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday (Sunday in Philippine time).
Solis tried to wrest the WBC international super-featherweight crown from the Philippine champion but his high hopes were dashed as Pacquiao’s lethal barrage of punches sent him crashing to the canvas.
Thousands of Filipino expatriates living and working in the United States were massed in the Alamodome to cheer their sole pride and champion, while back home millions of Filipinos sat in front of television receivers with high expectations that Pacquiao would not fail them.
Early in the fight, Solis tried desperately to hit Pacquiao in an initial frontal assault but was never able to crack his stout defense.
At one point, the boxing warriors’ skulls smashed together in an accidental head butt that left a nasty cut over Pacquiao’s eye but the feisty Filipino rallied and sent Solis down to the canvas.
In the seventh round, Manny started putting pressure on Solis as he prepared to finally rout the reeling Mexican. Pacquiao then unleashed his artillery of power punches that sent Solis staggering and falling on the canvas. Referee Vic Drakolich counted Solis out.
Moments later, amid a throng of jubilant fellow Filipinos and supporters, Pacquiao reviewed his recently concluded match and said, “Solis is a good fighter, but my hits against him are more powerful.”
With Solis out, Pacquiao is now the main contender for the WBC super-flyweight title and crown currently held by Juan Manuel Marquez, another Mexican.
On May 14, Pacquiao will face another battle of an odd sort as he decided against most of his fans’ will to enter the dirty world of Philippine politics. He is hoping to win a seat in the country’s legislative council under the banner of unpopular President Arroyo’s political party, the Team Unity.
