SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — It is a well-worn clich? — those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Boxing wordsmiths are, no doubt, minting a new version of this aphorism days before Manny Pacquiao fights Marco Antonio Barrera: Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it every four years.
Almost to a person, sportswriters say Barrera is one of boxing?s true legends.
Almost to a person, sportswriters are also quick to point out that the younger Manny, the sport?s perpetual motion machine is too much for Marco Antonio.
Deadline beaters would not dare admit it. But with the outcome of Saturday?s fight at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas certain in their brains, their post-fight homage to the Pacman are all but written.
In Vegas, pulling one-armed bandits instead of pushing pens is probably more tempting at this point.
But what if the lesson of history is lost on Pacquiao, not on Barrera since his demolition at the hands of the Filipino ring megastar in San Antonio, Texas in 2003?
Hey, strange things happen. Remember the not too well worn saying that even the best laid plans of mice and men go oft astray?
Heaven forbid!
That our own Recah Trinidad and the rest of the boys in the press box would have to grapple with the unforeseen.
Heaven forbid!
That Barrera turns the tables on Manny, because Recah and the boys will have to sing Marco Antonio?s tune. You expected the expected. Now you have to deal with the unexpected.
True. After his convincing win over Barrera that night at the Alamodome four years ago, Pacquiao has made millions beating Mexico?s finest fighters, including Erik Morales, Hector Velazquez and Oscar Larios.
But Barrera is no pushover, at least not yet. After a loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, Barrera has returned from his defeat to Pacquiao by beating Paulie Ayala, Morales and Rocky Juarez twice. Besides Manny has trouble with boxer punchers. That Barrera has positioned himself as one will be known in Saturday night?s (Sunday morning in Manila) 130-pound rematch.
What?s also more troubling to Pacquiao than his foe?s secret plan is his many distractions. He lost a political campaign and tons of money in the process. When not in the glare of boxing, he is under the klieg lights as a movie and television star, rolling with the punches of intrigue — including an alleged extramarital liaison with a starlet.
Besides, his stardom as the ?national fist? did not allow him to move about without attracting adulation while training at home for this fight.
Which brings me to a lone wolf of a writer who acknowledges that Pacquiao is his country?s national treasure.
But then the bold guy also says a treasure chest can turn into Pandora?s box.
Heaven forbid!
Sports note: The newly elected brass of the CuyapoUSA Association are calling on members to rise up to its call for more contributions for the group?s scholarship fund. The fund helps deserving high school and college kids in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija. New president Omet Nido of Vallejo, California can be reached at: [email protected].
