For all intents and purposes, last Saturday’s boxing fiesta could have been called “Thrilla For Manila”.
The Philippine flag flew high and proud that night at Staples Center where thousands of boxing spectators saw three Filipino boxers show with their lethal fists what Filipino might is.
Before boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao roundly pounded his opponent Hector Velasquez in a thrilling slugfest, Bohol native Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista secured an early victory in the first undercard fight of the night. The other Filipino fighter, Hawaii-born Brian Viloria, stunned the crowd with a spectacular first round knockout win prior to the main event.
With their own big wins, the two previously lesser-known boxers’ days of anonymity seemed to be over. Both aspire to being and are already being talked about as the next PacMan, Pacquiao’s boxing moniker.
But PacMan, as evidenced by his ferocious performance, is in no hurry to relinquish his throne especially after just being crowned as the new WBC International Super Featherweight champion.
The very religious heavy-hitter, who got down on his knees to offer a thanksgiving prayer immediately after winning, had his own theory for his victory.
“Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa,” Pacquiao said in his locker room after his victory. “Ang nagpanalo rin sa akin ay ang mahusay na training ko.”
His trainer, Freddie Roach, who also trains Viloria and Bautista, imposed strictly private and distraction-free training sessions with his prized fighter. After Pacquiao’s big loss to Erik Morales last March, the power puncher and his hardworking trainer endured criticisms.
Last Saturday with all of his boxers stepping into the winner’s circle, Roach was vindicated four times over.
For Pacquiao’s rematch with Erik Morales in January, Roach plans to take Pacquiao to boxing camps for intense training in the Philippines and in the U.S.
Although Morales’ unpredicted loss to feisty boxer Zahir Raheem had boxing fans initially worried that the Pacquiao-Morales rematch won’t push through, promoter Bob Arum announced at the post-fight press conference that it would go as planned.
For that highly anticipated rematch, Pacquiao is expected to earn even more than the $750,000 fee that he got for this recent fight.
“If anything, seeing Erik lose tonight, Filipinos will be more emboldened to see a rematch,” Arum said.
“I still want to fight Morales again…I want to recover my name,” said Pacquiao.
A lot of the General Santos native’s supporters were heartbroken when Morales won over him last March.
But this time, cheers of joy and unabashed Filipino pride pervaded the sports arena. For them, Pacquiao is a true definition of a country hero.
“What’s up with our government? What’s up with the president? What’s up with Philippine politics? They don’t give us pride like Manny does,” said Nelson Padilla who flew in from New Jersey with his buddies, Kish Cachola and Jeremy Picache, just to watch the fight in person.
Among the notable attendees at the fight was First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sent congratulatory messages to the Filipino boxers immediately after their wins were reported.
“Even if you’re in the Philippines, or you’re a Filipino American, or wherever you are, Manny makes us proud to be Filipinos. He is our true hero,” said Padilla.
They added that when Pacquiao was embroiled in a lawsuit with his previous promoter several months ago, they came to court everyday to show their support.
During the early part of Saturday’s fight, they cheered him on as Pacquiao tried to find his footing when Velasquez initially displayed a ferocity that some observers said was somewhat unexpected. But from the third round till the brawl’s end, Pacquiao grabbed control and didn’t let go.
“He took down his opponent methodically,” said Arum of Pacquiao’s winning strategy.
“His power never diminished. His punches were as strong in the first round as they were in the last round,” Velasquez said through an interpreter after the fight.
