Fernando Lumacad posed as a paradigm for Filipino boxers who want to fight in big time boxing last night here in the United States. The only thing is, the example he set was what aspiring boxers from the Philippines should not replicate.
Lumacad?s demeanor from the press conference all the way to the ring entrance showed his nerves and apparent lack of confidence. Although not encouraging signs, a fighter that?s nervous before the biggest fight of his life is not uncommon. I had mentioned in my previous article about the final presser for the bout that Lumacad had a chance as long as he stayed confident and not allow the bright lights of US boxing get the best of him. Unfortunately it did.
Don?t get me wrong, nobody was truly expecting for Lumacad to beat Arce, as his experience and record alone does not hold a candle to Arce?s, although he did cut Arce in the secod round. It wasn?t his lack of skill or experience that got a lot of people tripping though. It was his lack of heart.
Being nervous isn?t a crime and I?m sure a lot of Filipinos are understanding and compassionate enough to let it slide but one trait Filipinos truly hate is quitting. You got to understand, the Philippines is a third-world country, stricken by poverty, violence and all kinds of negativity you can think about. The one thing that Filipinos pride themselves in is their resolve- the fight inside them that despite the hard times and difficulties in life, would not allow them to quit. Filipinos, if not born fighters, are raised by adversity to never quit. You don?t give up on your country. You don?t give up on your friends. You don?t give up on your family. And most importantly, you don?t give up on your self. But I guess Lumacad was from a different breed, or perhaps the lights and the nerves messed up with his senses bad enough for him to forget what he was representing.
Lumacad, which if translated in the Philippine?s native language Tagalog means ?to walk? or ?walked?, ran away from a fight as he laid down in the third round after getting dropped by Arce with a vicious right hook. Lumacad seemed dazed but in no means incapable of getting up. Instead of trying to beat the count however, Lumacad looked as if he was content to take his beating and live another day like Starscream from the Transformers: Rise of the Fallen movie who left earth and Megatron in the face of defeat and saying cowardice may not be the most honorable of traits but it sure kept one alive. Well, Lumacad is going back home to the Philippines paid and unscratched with an autographed Jorge Arce memorabilia in tow as our New York Boxing Examiner Michael Marley reported, but his big time prizefighting career is as good as dead.
Let this be a lesson to Filipino boxers who aspire to fight in the big time here in the US. You are not only representing yourself, but the pride and honor of your country as well. It?s one thing if a fighter is outclassed, beaten and devastated. The Gerry Penalosas and Manny Pacquiaos of Filipino boxing did not pave the way with their courage and class for boxers in the Philippines to get an opportunity here in America only to be tarnished by quitters. Win or lose, you are also fighting for the hopes of other fighters after you who dream to get a break. The last thing Filipino boxers need is to start being doubted as pushovers and lemons ready to lay down at the first sign of defeat. If you do not intend to give it your all, best not wave that Philippine flag behind you and fight unclaimed like Viktor Navorski from the Tom Hank?s classic movie “The Terminal”
QUOTES:
“I’m no fighter, but it looked to me like the Filpino kid just quit. That is so unusual for a Filipino fighter.”
— Top Rank Boss Bob Arum
