LUTONG PACQUIAO?

UNFINISHED BUSINESS? The latest Pacquaio win is controversial.
Photo courtesty of  Chris Farina

With the results of the latest Marquez-Pacquaio fight out, we expected that this "Unfinished Business" would be put to rest. But as the judges gave a decision which favored Pacquaio, looks like Marquez will still have something to complain about in the next coming months. Even Filipinos are convinced that while Manny won Sunday's bout, it wasn't the best fight he'd given throughout his career. Some are even convinced that Marquez won being the more aggressive of the two. Reports are out that Bob Arum fixed the match for various reasons which will no longer be mentioned.

The majority decision given by judges Dave Moretti, Robert Hoyle and Glenn Trowbridge are as follows: 115-113 | 114-114 | 116-112 respectively (in favor of Pacquaio). Also, the stats from the bout's Compubox shows that Pacquiao landed more jabs (59-38), and more power punches (117-100), compared to Marquez. Pacquiao landed a total of 176 punches compared to Marquez's 138. There should be no doubt that Manny won this fight fair and square even if he wasn't able to knockout Marquez.

And yet, Filipinos are still unconvinced. They see the latest Pacquaio win as a Pyrrhic victory. After all, we are so used to Manny being able to knockout his opponents in the early rounds of each fight. But we got to give Manny and the judges the benefit of the doubt. Considering his age, and the preparation of his opponents, let alone the determination of Marquez to win, Manny would really have a hard time knocking him out. Whether he knocked him out or beat him in the scorecards, one fact remains, Manny fought hard to win this fight. Isn't that what boxing is all about?

Nevertheless, while Pacquiao won this fight fair and square, the era of Manny Pacquaio performing in the way he performed in his earlier years is almost to an end. Definitely, it will be harder for him to knockout his opponents in his coming fights considering his age and the wear and tear to his body. There is another fight left for him to finish, which I think would be more exciting to watch. And that is if he could deliver on his promise to win the fight against poverty. I'd be more prouder if he does that. TSS