DON’T be surprised if other people would like Manny Pacquiao to lose against David Diaz. Some Bacole?os (particularly those of Baha) are against the Pambansang Kamao because their mayor was nowhere to be found when typhoon Frank lashed the region and flooded the city.
Mayor Bing was off to US for the Sunday bout of the adopted son of the City of Smiles. But many are not smiling on Manny, as his official championship belt holder during introduction happened to be Bacolod’s top executive. If it were true that Bing is the lucky charm of Pacquiao, the mayor’s critics would rather see Manny kissing or lying on the canvass so that it might end the career of his official belt carrier.
Boxing experts tend to favor Diaz despite the pro Pacquiao analysts prediction and media hype going Manny’s way. As Filipinos are very popular in having a crab mentality and the Negrenses on top in that category, it is no big deal for people to think and act that way.
Many have doubted Pacquiao’s last bout. The same people will most probably bet for Diaz this coming Sunday. But whatever the result, it will be another headline, which will cover other devastating stories left by ‘Frank.’ Manny’s victory will be a good make up work to temporarily lessen the agony of those affected by the storm.
Storming Manny will get some stitches but his victory or downfall will replace the footage of Princess of Stars doing ala Poseidon Adventure. Pacquiao’s venture to add another title will be heavy on his belt. But he need not worry. Somebody has already taken care of that.
Even that “superstitious number” channel that has been padlocked has been done over with. Frank V. was spared by cyclone Frank but the anchorman, reportedly very close to a congressman, never evaded that legal punch going his way. Frank has to learn from Manny. Anticipation. Quick evasion. Quick retaliation.
By the time you are staring up to the stars, you are still figuring out what hit you or where it came from. An uppercut, a straight or a hook? That closure of his battle station sounds similar to that bingo game at SM. We are witnessing a different sport here and the competition is heating up. Unlike boxing where it can be a maximum of 12 rounds, the new encounter has no boundaries.
It will spill over and many will get involved. It can even reach the courts. It will be a long battle. We are just hoping that what is happening in the broadcast will not infect the print media. After all, what we are talking here is boxing.
Perhaps in the next Monico Cup, a special event for open weight category will be included among Seven Hole Defenders and Media Channel Offenders. SCOOPers will get a quick referee clinic from Greg Jimena and his compadre Quiatchon.
