HERMIE Rivera, the boxing man, calls this a lost message.
He filed it from Las Vegas where he covered Manny Pacquiao’s historic rematch with Mexico’s Erik Morales last month.
The good news is that we’ve finally retrieved the dispatch from our e-mail.
Actually, Hermie should be busy filing a post-mortem on Brian Viloria’s latest fight.
Late as it is, we keep this promise to share with readers a good portion of Mr. Rivera’s recovered dispatch:
* * *
A HUNDRED-FIFTY dollars wagered on Manny Pacquiao can bring in one hundred ($100) while one hundred-five crisp US notes placed on Erik Morales give a hundred-dollar return.
But don’t go knocking on your neighbor’s doors betting your carabao lest you look foolish and dumb if you wind up making the wrong bet. (You can bring in the mascot with its apt comments)
Meanwhile, more Latinos are expressing preference for the man called “Pacman” as he gears up for his showdown with the terrible Tijuana Mex.
It is probable that boxing aficionado (Mexican-American) Raul Rodriguez, a respiratory therapist at Washington Township Hospital in Fremont, California, just got swept up with the Pac Mania he’s picking Pacquiao to beat Morales.
Said Se?or Rodriguez: “I grew up in East Los Angeles watching the likes of Ruben Olivares, Salvador Sanchez and Julio Cesar Chavez. My dad used to take me to the Forum to see a good scrap. It would have been fun seeing those guys with Manny.
“Pacquiao is right up there with them in terms of fire, fury and brilliance. I’m picking Manny Pacquiao to beat Erik Morales because of motivation. You cannot help admire a guy carrying the pride and honor of 80 million Filipinos.
“In many ways, Manny emulates what Filipino-American workers are known for – hard work, talent and determination.
“His blood and guts are to be admired especially after firing back at Morales despite being cut in the fifth round the last time they met.
“Manny is the hungrier, faster and younger fighter of the two combatants. Speed kills and that’s what Manny should employ to beat the great Morales.
“I’ve seen all of Manny Paquiao’s fights through PPV and DVD’s my buddy Emmanuel Rivera gives me and I just like the guy. And Pacman gives great interviews.
“A good example that he is his own man is that he doesn’t rely on translators to express himself on national television. He took initiative in learning English.”
Thanks, amigo. Ironically, nationalism sells in boxing. It is special to hear one Mexican aficionado root for a fistic treasure like Pacquiao.
A national treasurer, indeed. And also very, very rare.
“Manny Pacquiao comes once in a hundred years and I’m happy for the Filipino people. He has elevated not only boxing but his fellow Filipinos in terms of worldwide recognition,” Rodriguez concluded.
However, the Arville brothers, John Jr. and Raymond, certified Pacquiao supporters — cautioned Manny to have at least 11 rounds of fistic brilliance in order to topple Terrible Erik.
As it would turn out, Pacman needed only 10 ferociously fought rounds to fashion out the biggest win of his checkered career.
