THE golden era of Philippine boxing continued well into 2013, with our ?Pambansang Kamao? making a successful comeback and three of our countrymen continuing to hold on to world titles.
Let?s take a look at the state of Philippine boxing as we look forward to another year of fistic excitement.
THE ICONS. Manny Pacquiao?s triumph over Brandon Rios in Macau brought much relief to our boxing-crazed archipelago.
There are fighters who never fully recover from concussive knockouts, but Manny bounced back nicely with a unanimous decision victory over a young, former world champion.
Granted, Rios?s plodding style was perfect fodder for a whirling dervish like the Pacman, but Brandon was a true threat with his feral, aggressive style coupled with knockout power in both hands.
This Last Rounder was seated 11 rows away at ringside when Manny?s hands were raised in victory. It was a seminal moment that took my breath away as his triumph was an inspiration to a nation that had been beaten down by consecutive calamities.
Pacquiao too, had his own personal demons to exorcise after suffering that knockout in the hands of no less than his arch-nemesis, Juan Manuel Marquez. His win should be emblematic of how we too, as a nation can endure and triumph against the odds.
On the technical aspect, there was some measure of disappointment that the much expected knockout never came. Afterwards, Pacquiao himself shared his take on the matter, explaining that he already had the bout won and there was no imperative need to take chances and become careless.
To me, this was a perfectly valid explanation and I am satisfied with it. Yes, Brandon pretty much looked like a punching bag out there, and was ripe for the taking. But it wasn?t like Manny didn?t try.
In the championship rounds, he eased up on the throttle as he already had the fight won and the specter of that one-punch knockout must have been still fresh on his mind.
I don?t mind if he takes his time to slowly ease his way back into his old ways. If it takes a couple more fights, then so be it.
He?s entitled to that, and has definitely earned it.
On the flipside, his enemies will be quick to pounce on that perceived infirmity, but only time will tell if Manny becomes a better fighter offensively if he?s more cautious or whether losing that killer?s edge will cost him in a big fight.
Nonito Donaire had a mixed bag of goodies s last year, losing his WBO and WBA super-bantamweight crowns to Cuban southpaw Guillermo Rigondeaux via decision in a boring fight, then redeeming himself with another spectacular knockout victory over truculent rival Vic Darchinyan.
Rigondeaux will always be a stylistic nightmare for any opponent, Donaire included. He engages only when he wants and is constantly moving and feinting. In many respects he cancels out Donaire?s counter punching prowess as you cannot counter something that rarely hits and is constantly on the move.
There were some pundits who found fault in Donaire?s knockout of Darchinyan as the latter was holding his own up until the coup de grace came in the ninth round.
Granted, Donaire looked vulnerable in that fight and his defense was spotty, but he was clearly gunning for another knockout and ergo, had to take some chances.
Admittedly, Donaire?s partiality towards knockouts makes him susceptible in defense, but boxing fans would certainly prefer that to Rigondeaux?s coma-inducing techniques. Next time I have trouble sleeping, I?m gonna pop in that Rigo fight on the player.
But really, these critics just can?t be pleased with one hellacious knockout. Truth be told, I see six losses on vicious Vic?s record but only two by knockout, both courtesy of ?The Filipino Flash?.
Abner Mares, Joseph Agbeko, Anselmo Moreno and Shinsuke Yamanka could only win via decision and even these were closely fought. But Donaire got him out of there. Twice. Criticize that.
(On Wednesday, the world title holders)
LAST ROUND. It?s on Raquel T. Choa of The Chocolate Chamber who celebrates her birthday today.
Cheers!
