I FOUND it hard to believe that even though boxing made them rich and famous, Manny Pacquiao, the people’s champion; Ms Laura Elorde, wife of the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde; and Fil-Am sensation Brian Viloria, the newly crowned World Boxing Council junior flyweight title-holder, would be so vocal to show aversion to the sport.
Said Pacquiao (of his 10th round demolition of Mexican idol Erik Morales): “Parang madaling tingnan, pero napaka-hirap talaga (It looks so easy, but it is not; it’s really very tough).” He added he would not encourage his sons (5-year-old Emmanuel Jr. and 4-year-old Michael Stephen) to pursue a career in boxing, noting the dangers inherent in it.
For her part, the 77-year-old, Tokyo University-educated Laura Elorde said, “Ever since Bay (Gabriel) died on Jan. 2, 1985 when he was only 49, I have stopped watching boxing bouts. Kasi hanggang ngayon kapag nakikita kong tinatamaan ang boksingero parang si Bay ang tinatamaan. I can feel the pain every time a boxer gets hit.” Laura, by the way, correctly predicted a Pacquiao victory over Morales in their rematch.
“I know death surrounds us every time we climb the ring,” said Viloria, who will be making his first defense of the WBC crown on Feb. 18 at the Alladinn Hotel in Las Vegas against former champion Jose Antonio Aguirre.
A college student in Hawaii, Viloria lamented the spate of ring fatalities and injuries, including the recent death of International Boxing Federation lightweight champ Leavander Johnson, who died from a severe brain injury he suffered in a fight with Jesus Chavez at the MGM Grand Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas. Viloria also noted that Indonesian boxer Antonius Rahaman lapsed into a coma after he underwent brain surgery following a 6th round TKO loss to Filipino Ayon Naranjo, who in turn, also suffered brain injuries after taking a beating from Venezuelan Jorge Linares in a subsequent fight.
Viloria added every second counts in a boxing bout and it is up to the boxer to do what is good for him. “A boxer can stop the fight on his own. There is no need for the referee to stop the fight or for his corner to throw in the towel when he knew he was already hurting.”
Around the world more than 500 boxers have died in the ring or suffered injuries since the Marquis of Queensberry Rules were introduced in 1884. In the Philippines, some 20 boxers have died while many more have suffered brain injuries, including those who are disabled, destitute and blind. Too many people have been paying lip service to save the ailing pro boxing industry, but hardly anybody has been making a substantial progress.
Boxing, without question, is a poor man’s sport. It is a sport that pulls many poor kids out of the pits. Still, one can count with his fingers the lucky few who made good and struck gold, among them Hall of Famer Flash Elorde, the late Tirso del Rosario, the pride of Tondo; and now Manny Pacquiao, who has earned enough money to fill his pockets for several lifetimes.
Speaking of Pacquiao, there is no other Filipino boxer at present who can fill the fight venue to capacity like him. Gone were the good old days of Pancho Villa, Ceferino Garcia, Dado Marino, Tirso del Rosario, Speed Cabanela, Bonnie Espinosa, Little Cesar, Dommy Ursua, Flash Elorde, Rene Barrientos, Ben Villaflor, Young Terror, Baby Lorona, Danny Kid, Roberto Cruz, Pedro Adigue, Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria, Frank Cede?o, Luisito Espinosa, Dodie Boy and Gerry Pe?alosa and Rolando Navarrete.
“There’s only one Manny Pacquiao,” said Amateur Boxing Association of the Philipines president Manny Lopez.
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IN BEHALF OF BERT, THANK YOU. Ever since we first came out with a plea for help for colleague Bert Cuevas, Manila Standard Today sports editor, many friends and acquaintances have been offering concern for an ailing buddy. Gus Villanueva of the Journal Group said several kind-hearted people have already called him to extend support. “We have to help him,” he said.
TV analyst Ed Picson and jazz artist Richard Merk are slated to hold a fund-raising concert for Bert Cuevas, a diabetic; and another ailing colleague, Butch Maniego, who needs a kidney transplant.
