TRYING to prove he is the real champion after their first controversial encounter in June 2012, American boxer Timothy ?The Desert Storm? Bradley failed to defend his title against 8-division world champion and Filipino boxing icon Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao in their World Boxing Organization (WBO) rematch at the MGM Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bobby G. Nalzaro
Saksi
View profile
Manny won the fight via a unanimous decision. The three judges gave Manny high scores as he dominated all rounds through his aggressiveness and power punches.
In their first encounter, Manny lost to Bradley via a split decision. Manny?s supporters claimed he won the fight then, and questioned the integrity and credibility of the judges. But there was nothing irregular in the first fight. The decision prevailed and only a rematch could settle the unfinished business. As printed in the masiao tipsheet: ?El pallo del juez es en inapelable (A judge?s decision cannot be appealed).?
And that unfinished business was finally settled yesterday. It was boxing coupled with entertainment, as Bradley adopted a hit-and-run and dancing strategy. It looked like he was teasing Manny, as if he was saying, ?Hey guy, hit me.? He left himself open in the last seconds in the middle of the 12 rounds but he frequently distanced himself from the Pambansang Kamao.
It was also very touching because after the fight, Manny?s mother Mommy Dionisia went up to the ring and embraced Bradley, thanking him for a good and professional fight.
Earlier, though, Mommy D was caught on camera making signs at Bradley, while holding her rosary.
In round nine, Bradley staggered twice. But it was not due to the power punches of Manny. The American fighter adopted a hit-and-run strategy, thinking he would win the fight because he was the defending champion. That was with the assumption that Manny would not make an offensive.
But Bradley was wrong because Manny was in the offensive, throwing left- and right-hook combinations and straight jabs in every round, especially when Bradley was cornered. It was observed that the stamina of Bradley had weakened starting in the eighth round, as he kept distancing himself and would embrace Pacman every time the latter gave him oozing punches.
Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, who shared the same table with me at the Parklane Hotel where I watched the pay-per-view, said: ?Naluya man ang tuhod ni Bradley. Nawad-an man og hangin.?
My little analysis is that Bradley miscalculated Manny?s strategy. He was aiming for one final blow to knock out the Pambansang Kamao like what Juan Manuel Marquez did to Manny in their fourth encounter. But it was a mistake because every time he released his powerful punches it did not hit Manny. They were all empty punches. And mind you, it is more tiring and frustrating for a boxer to make empty punches than make contact.
I told my readers in Sun.Star Superbalita in yesterday?s issue and my radio listeners in dySS Super Radyo Cebu that if Manny lost this fight, he should retire. But now that he won, I?m saying: ?Continue Pacman until your last breath because you bring pride to the Filipinos in the entire world.
Congratulations, Rep. Manny Pacquiao.?
