This may not be the usual topic of this column but I know many of us were perhaps a lot like Manny Pacquiao the other day, sitting tearful and crumpled in our own little corners, dejected at what happened to our hero in what many saw as the biggest fight of his career because of the coverage it received on the world stage.
All the issues and scenes before the Pacquiao-Morales fight set us up for it so completely, so emotionally, that when it was over, we were drained.
Like I suspect many of you, I too received a text message informing me that Manny lost by a unanimous decision a couple of hours before local TV started airing the fight. The news was passed on to me by a reliable source and corroborated by several people who personally witnessed the fight in Las Vegas.
Yet, I watched the fight just the same, absurdly wishing that somehow the news was wrong, that the Manny Pacquiao whom we know can throw punches from every point of the compass could deliver a blow that would send Morales tumbling to the canvas in a heap.
But the hoped-for miracle was not to be. No three-time world champion like Morales was going to be hit by a phantom punch. We might land a punch like that in a bar fight, but not in a fight with so much at stake. And as smart a fighter as Morales is, he was not going to lean into the more powerful punches Manny could throw.
Yes, Manny had a lot riding on the fight. He wasn?t just fighting for personal glory. He was providing psychic compensation for the entire Filipino nation, especially at a time when the country?s state of affairs has made life quite unmanageable for most of our people.
Morales also carried the pride and hope of the Mexican nation on his shoulders, but there was a more telling reason why he could not afford to lose. While a loss against Manny might not sound the final siren on his boxing career, it would certainly lead to a lot of boxing critics writing him off, especially after his loss to Marco Antonio Barrera only last November. He needed to win if doors are to be left open for another title shot.
To underestimate Morales was foolish for he needed to win and win well to keep his storied career afloat. As they say, the more desperate fighter is also the more dangerous one.
The fact alone that Morales chose to fight Manny, a stronger and faster foe than his nemesis Barrera, speaks of the Mexican idol?s character and confidence. Morales certainly could have opted for an easier comeback fight but that wasn?t him. He has battled unforgettably with the best, earning him the moniker ?El Terible,? and he wanted to prove he was still worthy of such a title.
His impressive performance against Manny proved the gamble was well worth it. It proved that his best ring exploits were not behind him. The doubters began coming out of the woodwork to praise him, and his victory against Manny will carry him confidently towards his next challenge, surely a second chance at a championship belt.
As for Manny, he did surprise us with a miracle, because it was indeed a miracle that despite everything Morales threw at him, he not only finished the fight but finished it fighting toe-to-toe.
Manny showed the whole world that regardless of all the negative things that have been written about us and our country, the Filipino is really a champion at heart. He showed the whole world why boxing as a sport can involve us on an elemental, sometimes even a savage level?because at its finest, the sport is about heroism and realizing your potential, about giving it your best shot, and yes, taking the best shots from your opponent and standing your ground, for your self, for your family, for your country.
It takes guts to face such a significant loss squarely and find the resources to start again, but I have no doubt in my mind that Manny has those guts in abundance. He is certain to make a dramatic rise after this fight, take my word for it.
Boxing is such an unpredictable sport, and there aren?t many places in life where you can get as many chances as you do in the boxing ring. Indeed, boxing is the sport of second, third and fourth chances. How many times have we seen fighters struggle through a string of setbacks only to eventually end up with the championship belt? Such scenarios are what make heroes out of boxers. People love it when the guy who struggled all the way finally arrives at the top.
The good fighters learn from their defeats and use these lessons to become better. After Morales, Manny will become better.
And because Manny is Manny, relentless until the final bell rings, he will always be in an exciting fight regardless of who he faces. This alone guarantees his shot at redemption.
