Finally, it is fight day.
After yesterday?s weigh in, many grizzled sports writers cannot help but notice some of the contrasting demeanor and physical get-up of today?s main attraction (is there any other?) ? the Manny Pacquiao-Brandon Rios fight.
While Rios was in his usual loud self ? he walks and talks like he owns Pacquiao ? the Filipino boxing icon and national hero was all smiles.
But TV host and sports reporter Chino Trinidad warned looks can be deceiving. Pacquiao, he said, was all fire.
His body ripped and all, Manny will be ready o the let go.Pic by Edwin Espejo
?Nananalisik ang mga mata (His eyes are piercing),? Trinidad said as he described Pacquiao?s pre-weigh in disposition inside his suite at the West Suites of the Venetian hotel.
Philboxing.com?s Dong Secuya said this definitely is a mismatch while the eminent Recah Trinidad, father of Chino, was worried Rios will collapse like a log once Pacquiao hit him in the body.
?Naku, baka titiklop ?pag binodega,? the veteran sports writing icon.
US-based Hermie Rivera cannot wait to see it happen.
I myself saw what appeared as soft torso of Rios and he could bloat his 146.5-lb official weight by fight time today.
He could be dragging himself to get into the ring. That is of course just a figure of speech.
I do not think Rios will bring anything new to the table when he clashes with Pacquiao. If anything, he will be the same slugger who rushes forward to his target.
Which suits Pacquiao well.
But if there is anybody who can bring surprise inside the Cotai Arena in Macau, it will be Pacquiao.
His speed, power and stamina are already given, every.
But we may have not seen the ferocity and electricity in Pacquiao before when he takes this career-defining fight.
While Pacquiao is definitely good for at least a couple of years, win or lose, the fight this morning will dictate which road his career will take thereafter.
He will use this fight not just a tune-up affair.
He will make this one loud and memorable.
You will see an aggression ever seen before.
You will see a Manny ? the fierce predator.
He is not trying to prove he still has what it takes to get back to the top.
He is ?merely? sending a message for the one guy out there, in case Mayweather forgets.
Rios should be afraid. Be really afraid.
