They finished it

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Well, they finished their business. Saturday night, Manny Pacquiao, the national pride, proved he was the better fighter compared even to the holder of the world’s championship in the super featherweight division in a heart-stopping exchange of blows that had spectators at the Mandalay Hotel’s Events Center on the edges of their seats all throughout twelve grueling rounds and a bloody encounter that ended in a split decision in favor of Bacolod’s adopted son.

* * *

I will not dwell on the details of the much promoted as the “Unfinished Business” between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez that the famous boxing announcer called the most famous players in our boxing history. Anyway, I know the fight had been shown live in Bacolod City and probably replayed dozens of times on national TV. What I saw of the fight was exactly the same as what viewers in the Philippines and all over the world saw. I know they had seen how savagely the two strived to prove that the decision rendering the fight they had before a draw was questionable. Even if one of the judges then had later admitted having made an error, the decision remains, hence the need to end the unfinished business between them.

* * *

One thing that would not be questioned in Saturday night’s bout was the presence of thousands of Filipinos in the audience many coming from the various states of America, other nearby countries, and, of course, the Philippines. In the section where I sat there was hardly anybody not of Filipino origin. All around me I could hear chattering in Tagalog, Pampangeño, Ilonggo, Cebuano, Ilocano, and other dialects. I think the big crowd must have consisted of 60 to 70 percent Pinoy, how we cheered and chanted Manny’s name as the fight progressed. The Mexicans did the same, but I think we outshouted their “Marquez! Marquez!” with our “Manny! Manny!”

* * *

I’m sure folks back home must have suffered the same anguish and fear whenever Marquez scored a blow. I’m also sure their heart ached when they saw Manny’s eye begin to bleed, and wickedly rejoiced when Marquez also got a cut over his eye. And that they gleefully relished the site of Marquez flat on his back on the floor in the third round. What a beautiful feeling it was to hear Manny Pacquiao proclaimed the winner. The Pinoys and foreign fans of the Pacman, all heaving sighs of relief, laughed and hugged each other, even the strangers sharing their triumphs. The halls of the Mandalay continued to buzz with people still talking about the event, having their pictures taken, and happily recounting the details of the fight, far into the night. We heard later from his friend Wakee Salud that 18 stitches had to be made on Manny’s head. But Sunday morning we are having a thanksgiving mass in his suite here in the hotel.*

back to top