(excerpt from my journal entry dated November 14, 2011, a Monday.)
Nanalo kahapon si Pacquiao over Marquez, although it was such a close fight. Of the four, three judges voted, or rather majority decision went for Pacquiao’s win, kasi one of them scored a tie between Pacquiao and Marquez, 14–14. The other two were for Pacquiao.
Ok, the Mexicans were not happy about it, although they can’t really accuse Pacquiao of anything because it was the judges’ decision. Besides, at the end of the 12th round, Marquez immediately raised his hand as if in victory…and those who were for him had their expectations raised. That was stupid. Now those people are disgruntled. How do you promote sportsmanship now after that kind of behavior?
I myself am not comfortable about Pacquiao’s win. I didn’t get to watch the fight as intently as most people, but judging from the replays of each round, it was such a close fight, had Marquez won, I don’t think I’d be comfortable either (that is, if I am for Marquez).
Marquez’ style involved throwing a punch immediately after Pacquiao throws his punch. So it’s like “mirroring*” (albeit not exactly) Pacquiao’s moves, thereby presenting an opponent who is equal in intensity (I wouldn’t say "strength" because Marquez is stronger, by the looks of it, although Pacquiao is faster). Intelligent a fighter that he is, Pacquiao was probably caught off guard by that style.
There are analysts who say that Floyd Mayweather may now have an idea on how to fight Pacquiao. But knowing Pacquiao and Freddie Roach (yeah, close kami, noh! Ahehe), I’m sure they are already thinking up ways to deal with such a segurista style/technique.
I think, ultimately, it will depend on Pacquiao’s speed and agility to be able to counter this style, should it happen again in future bouts. He will have to be unconventional in his moves, transcend—or rather, push the limits of boxing styles and moves, and catch his opponent off guard by it. I mean, how do you “mirror” something that is not familiar to you, right?
But behind all this, I have this nagging suspicion that the fight may have been “staged” to a certain extent. That Pacquiao had intended to “seem vulnerable,” that it was meant to be just a ruse to have Mayweather finally fight Pacquiao.
Hmm…I’d be more comfortable if this is true, because I wasn’t that “sold” to his performance at the fight. I felt insecure. There have been fights before wherein Pacquiao “allowed” the bout to last more rounds than was necessary. I’m not sure of this, of course. People say Manny wanted to give the people the entertainment they paid for. Some say Pacquiao just wanted his opponents to leave the fight with the dignity of knowing they lasted more rounds with him. I think the latter is more probable. Pacquiao is humane and a gentleman fighter, what do you expect?
Overall, I think Marquez paid Pacquiao a tribute. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right? I guess it was like, you can’t defeat Pacquiao unless you’re Pacquiao. Also, I think it should be included in the rules that, at the end of the fight, no boxer is to raise his hand (or gesture in any way indicative of “victory”) until the judges have made their decision and declared the winner. It’s just manipulative and irresponsible!
*P.S. The term the experts use is “counterpunching,” although what else is there in boxing if not for two boxers “counterpunching” each other? Huh?
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