FEEDING THE WOLVES

(April 8, 2008)

It wasn’t the usual hype that often characterizes an asian-latino antagonism in this sports; the usual hype that guarantees a massive sell-out. This one was worse than that. Drawing in to the core of the campaign a false sense of national pride and esteem, the promoters have successfully spelled the commercial success of the fight. A predetermined success that will keep boxing fans and bystanders mesmerized for weeks.

The selling line: Invasion: Philippines Versus the World, a spin-off of the Filipino-Mexican war in boxing which is actually a war for commerce inspired by the huge hit of Manny Pacquiao’s triumphant campaign in retiring Mexican greats. Again the people were at frenzy in (re)defining their phenomenal selves as their countrymen in gloves had clean swept the fight, thwarted the invasion, and kept the “supposed dominance” of Filipinos in divisions south of lightweight a clean mythical record.

There is this false sense of national pride and esteem created by the powerful manipulative media. Charmed by the victorious campaign against foreigners, the people have seemed forgotten the core values that once characterized the nobility of competition. Gambling, materialism, commercialism and politicking were simply everywhere ridiculing at face the people and the sports itself. Welcome to the world of professional boxing.

Equally detestable to these manipulations by the promoters is the design to boost the marketability of the fighters at all costs. The Golden Boy Productions who has invested lightly and cleverly into the project Invasion has now several bankable big names under its roof. The future is bright for these boys, especially in commercial terms. Of course, the future also promises to pad the bank accounts of the promoters.

And these couldn’t be made had not they fed the wolves with patsies. For one, mismatches were written all over the undercards as well as the main event.

Caril “El Raton” Herrera, who tested AJ “Bazooka” Banal in a super flyweight match, got totally destroyed by the Filipino in the fourth. People might think that Herrera was a worthy opposition to the fiery Filipino knock-out artist as he was donning an undefeated record going into the fight. Looking beyond his numbers, 21-0 (13KOs) going into the fight, one could wonder how on earth he got the ticket to take on Banal in his hometown. The level of his opposition was very poor to say the least. His supposedly tough reputation was built on feasting on class D-E fighters (most of whom have losing records). The best record of any opponent in his resume was 8-1-1. On the other hand, Bazookas record was a lot more respectable. He beat guys with decent records. He has two undefeated real fighters in his resume. Furthermore, Banal has already ventured outside his country unlike Herrera who has fought his entire career in his hometown Uruguay.

That Herrera was TKOed in the fourth without even putting on a decent fight says everything about the mismatch.

One could argue that anybody who could punch has a chance against Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista. That could very well be true as Boom Booms recent shocking lost was against a big puncher in the person of Ponce De Leon. Bautista’s bout could easily be picked as the closest among the bouts as Mexican Genaro “Duro’ Camargo was a puncher with notable KO record in his résumé. However, Camargos name was nowhere to be found in the top ten rankings of any boxing sanctioning bodies. Breaking down the departments: Power to power, punching technique and accuracy, Bautista was more talented than Camargo.

That Camargo was TKOed in the second without even putting on a decent fight says everything about the mismatch.

The main bout was the saddest among the bouts featured in the Invasion. Reigning WBO Bantamweight Champ Gerry Peñalosa put up a clinic and eventually dismantled in the eighth former WBO champ Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (72-10-0 going into the fight), the same guy he KOed in six rounds eight years ago. Despite of media blitz campaign by the Golden Boy Productions reconstructing Vorapin’s career as a formidable one, the outcome of the fight has still screamed of one clear thing: Vorapin doesn’t even have the right to be in the same ring (once again) with the iron-chinned, smooth tactician Filipino champion. The 31 year old Thai — whose 82-fight career speaks that he is a lot older than 36 year old Peñalosa — was grossly outclassed, totally outmaneuvered, completely out-jabbed and severely overmatched. Vorapin didn’t even win a single round in my scorecard.

That Vorapin was TKOed in the eight without even putting on a decent fight says everything about the mismatch.

Not to take anything from the Filipinos as they have trained well and valiantly fought for the country, for themselves and for the promoters, the fight had been a testimony of their spirit and readiness to take on bigger fights. Banal is now ready for a world championship fight. Bautista is back. And Gerry Peñalosa continuous to dominate the bantamweight division.

The fight over-hyped as Invasion: Philippines Versus the World has indeed bannered the name of these fighters across the boxing world and has increased their marketability. Everything at the expense of real fights and genuine sense of national pride and esteem.

MOVING UP IN WEIGHT

(November 4, 2007)

Gabriel “Flash” Elorde ruled the super-featherweight (130 lbs) division for seven years. He was a master, beating the crap out of everyone sent out to challenge him. He got bored of his strings of victory after victory one day and decided to challenge the reigning world lightweight (135 lbs) champ Carlos Ortiz. Ortiz stopped Elorde in the 14^th round. After two years, Elorde tried to wrestle once more the lightweight crown against the same man but got again KOed in the same round.

Elorde may had the built to fight at 135 as he was already fighting p winning bouts in this division while holding the 130 lb title at the same time (back in those days, a fighter can hold two or more division titles at a time). On the other hand, it can also be said that 135 may just had been be too big for him as he started fighting at bantamweight (118 lbs).

Flash was the greatest 130 lb champion of all time no question, the very same division pacquiao is currently ruling at the moment. Pacquiao’s plan to try himself at lightweight as he was now having a hard time making the 130 lbs limit has raised so many questions in my mind. I can’t help but draw a parallel comparison of the two. Flash started his career at 118 but failed to capture the 135 belt on two occasions; Pac climbed all the way up from 107 and is now planning to capture the 135 diadem.

Can he do it? Natural size is a big issue here.

Manny Pacquiaos recent big win, but un-stellar performance, against Marco Antonio Barrera has one obvious thing to tell: his failure to stop, or even deck, the Mexican fighter in 12 full rounds. Before the fight, Pac telephoned his wife and told her of his having difficulty in making the 130 lb limit. He said that this may be the last time he would fight at 130. During the post fight presscon, Pacs trainer Freddie Roach created a stir when he broached the subject of moving up in weight. Juan Diaz, three-belt holder of 135 lb division, jumped in to the issue and called up Pac for a winner-take-all bout at, of course, lightweight.

Dead in the weight

Pacs questionable conditioning (because of shortcuts in making the training camps) and serious weight drain might be the culprit for his lacking of power to KO Barrera during the rematch. Before the bout, the TV guys reported that he had to shed two more pounds (or was it just .5 lb?) hours before the weight-in. This raised my brows and bolstered my prediction that the fight would go the full distance, with a possible win by Barrera on points.

Admittedly, I was wrong about the Barrera win prediction (a wild prediction as I am a fan) but the fight did go the full distance with Pac chasing Barrera all night and trying to hurt him bad with his combos. But he just can’t stop the guy! Not that the guy was running all night but for some reasons, Pac can’t summon his proverbial deadly combos to deliver the stoppage. And this may be a sign of bad things to come.

Pacquiaos’s first two losses were blamed to weight problem. Now, Pac is being hounded by the same problem he encountered in his first two losses.

Pacquiao has already announced in national TV that he would face first Venezuelan Edwin Valero before moving north in weight class. Valero was a slugger, with a good record of 22-0, 22 KOs. Many were saying (read: dreaming), especially the Mexicans, that this may be the man at 130 who could beat Pac by KO. But no, the guy was a one dimensional lefty—very much like the unpolished Manny Pacquiao of years ago—who throws wide and wild punches and with a very flawed defense (Right, he’s like Manny before Roach took him). But unlike Pacquiao, Valero was too slow in his feet and in throwing his bombs. That won’t work against a monster whose main asset was power, speed and granite chin.

The Diaz hype

I have not bought into the idea of Pacs moving up in weight until this Juan Diaz hype. I believe that Pac has first to get his third world title at 130 before challenging any of the 135 guys, which in itself, would be a formidable assignment seeing the Pacman started at 107. That is if we are to recognize the filthy sanctioning bodies as the legit authorities in ranking fighters and in awarding championship belts. Pacquiao earned his belts at flyweight (112), superbantamweight (122), featherweight (126) and 130 lb divisions, the last two being Ring Mags’ Peoples Champ titles only. He has still yet to capture his “legit” third world title. Of course, there is no question that the Gen San lefty was the lineal champ at 126 for beating King Marco and the recognized ruler of 130 for thrashing Morales twice and Barrera once. But for history, I would love to see Pac gunning for his legit third world title at 130.

In history, No flyweight champ has ever hold a belt at super-featherweight class. And knowing the landscape of 130 lb division, it would be an easy task for the hard-hitting southpaw. No current belt holder at 130 could possibly give Pac a tough night in the ring, much more beat him: Edwin Valero was slow, Joan Guzman was just a feather-fisted loud mouth with a questionable chin and Juan Manuel Marquez was the same guy he decked thrice at 126 in just the opening round. A fight he won—which would have made him a three-division champion—although the judges scored it as draw.

Which lead me to conclude that the real competition for Pac was in the division five pounds plus, the lightweight.

Serious trouble, serious competitions

If Pac were to fight Juan Diaz at 135 lb division, he would be up for a very serious trouble. The reason: Natural size.

Seeing the Pacman climbed up from 107 lb division, the 135, his eighth weight class if ever, would be too big for him. It is almost certain that his power at lightweight would never be as monstrous as it were in lower weight classes. At 130 Pacs power was great. Great as it was the punching power that gave iron-chinned Morales his first taste of the canvass. Great, but far from being monstrous as it was at 122. It is interesting to see how that power would now translate to 135. One lightweight said in an interview days before the Barrera rematch that he didn’t feel the power Pac is known for in several rounds he sparred with him. If that was any indication, Pacquiao is up for a serious trouble at 135.

However, it is also important to note that Pac has never shown any problem in his new weight. He always appeared to be comfortable at any weight he has fought. He demolished the great Barrera in his first fight at 126. He was simply a monster at 122, whacking out each and every opponent (note: he climbed up to 122 straight from 112). He demolished Morales twice at 130. And since he’s comfortably fighting at around 144 lbs every time he fights at 130, courtesy of the rehydration process after the weight-in, we can say that Pacquiao can indeed fight at 135.

He can fight, yes. But can he fight at lightweight, his eight weight class, the way hes fighting at the lower weight classes? He can fight, yes. But dominate? No. He may win some, lose some, but the lightweight is where the real competition for him.

ANG HULING PARADA PATUNGONG HALL OF FAME

(October 13, 2007)

Wala na ngang natitira sa tangke. Matapos ang 12 rounds, malinaw kung saan na patungo ang karera ni Marco Antonio Barrera. Ang pamamahinga ay isang katotohanan at wastong desisyon lamang na ito’y yakapin. Hindi na siya ang parehong kampiyon ng nakaraang mga taon na may katulad na lagablab ang mga kilos, suntok at determinasyon sa ibabaw ng ring. Iniwan na siya ng mga ito; pahiwatig na kailangan na niyang iwanan ang daigdig na niyakap niya, at yumakap din sa kanya, sa loob ng maningning na 18 taon. Tapos na ang parada at kailangan na niyang magpaalam. Kailangan na niyang hubarin ang pares ng gloves.

118-109, 118-109, at 115-112 (teka, Barrera-Pacquiao ba ang pinanood ng Judge na ito?), malinaw na ipinakita ng mga scorecards ang naging hitsura ng laban: lubhang makaisang-panig. Bagamat apat na rounds (rounds 1,4,5 at 8) ang ibinigay ko kay Barrera sa huling laban niya, lubha pa rin itong makaisang-panig. Hindi na siya ang katulad na Barrera na nakipagpalitan ng mabibigat na kamao kay Erik Morales sa kanilang klasikong trilogy, ang Barrera na sistematikong nagpayuko kay Naseem Hamed sa isang labanang napaka-taktikal at lubhang-metodikal, o ang kilala nating Barrera na may hindi mababaling determinasyon upang manalo. Parang hindi siya ang naglalaro sa ring noong lingo ng Oktubre-7. Kunsabagay, ganito rin halos ang larawan noong 2003.

Gayunpaman, nakamamangha na hindi siya napatumba ni Manny Pacquiao, ang puncher na nagmamay-ari ng pinakamabagsik na kumbinasyon sa daigdig na boksing ngayon. Kung ito ang naging layon ni Barrera, ang lumaban hindi upang manalo kundi ang tapusin ang buong distansya ng 12 rounds, tagumpay siya. Masakit sa matang panoorin ang huling kalahati ng labang iyon para sa mga Barrera fans pagkat iisa lamang ang naglalaro upang manalo habang ang isa ay umiiwas upang hindi masaktan. Kung ito ay isang indikasyon, tapos na nga ang boksing para sa kanya.

Pero walang knock-out o knock-down, natutuwa ako doon. Ang lahat ng mga dakilang boksingero ay may mga huling mahuhusay na laban o ang parada ng pamamaalam sa ibabaw ng ring. Kung ang pananatiling nakatayo sa kanyang mga paa sa kabuuang distansya ng laban ang paradang iyon, mahusay na gabi pa rin. Hindi ko kukuwestiyonin ang puso ng Baby-Faced Assassin. Ang Hall-of-Fame ay isang masayang hantungan.

Sa kabila ng umaabanteng edad at tila-gastadong katawan, may mga sandali pa rin sa laban na nagpapakita na ang mamang kalaban ni Pacquiao ang kinikilala bilang tagapagmana ng pangalan ni Julio Cesar Chavez. Mga sandali kung bakit siya ang tinaguriang pinakamahusay na mehikanong manlalaro ng kanyang henerasyon. Nakita sa rounds1 at (lalo na, sa round) 5 ito, bagamat limitado, ang bagsik ng kanyang panukat para sa mga perpektong counter-punches, mga kumbinasyong nakakapagpalito, at mga footwork na nakapagdidikta ng takbo ng laban. Tumatama subalit parang hindi iniinda. Mga marka ba iyon ng katandaan? Mga lamat ng maraming pinagdaanang giyera? o sadyang matibay lamang ang kalaban? Huh! Kung nagtagpo lamang sa parehong edad at naging magkapanabayan ang dalawang boksingerong iyon, maaaring iba ang naging kinalabasan ng laban.

Ang rounds 6 hanggang matapos, maliban lamang sa round 8, ay purong palabas ni Pacquiao. Hindi na niya nasasabayan ang ipo-ipong suntok. Wala na sa lugar at perpektong sandali ang mga footwork at counter-punches. Mga tanda na hindi na siya lumalaban upang manalo. Naglalaro na lamang siya upang makumpleto ang buong distansya ng nakatayo sa kanyang mga paa. Sumusuntok upang manatiling buo ang hangarin na hindi lubusang masaktan.

Ang hindi lubusang masaktan. Iyon na ang naging laban niya. Sapagkat hindi ko alam kung bakit patuloy pa ring pinapayagang lumaban ang boksingerong ito na nagkaroon ng operasyon sa ulo. Hindi lamang simpleng gamutan kundi isang todong operasyon. Kinailangang buksan ang kanyang utak, tanggalin ang mga namuong dugo at patungan ng titanium plate ang bahagi ng bungong tinanggal. Sa kanyang kalagayang medikal, isang tahasang paghamon kay kamatayan ang pagharap sa isang Manny Pacquiao sa ibabaw ng ring. Dalawa ang kanyang kalaban: ang pinakamalas sumuntok sa timbangan ng pound-for-pound at ang babasaging kalagayang medikal.

Kung hindi puso at tapang ang tawag doon, hindi ko alam. At matapos nga ang tantyahan sa unang anim na rounds, tamang desisyon lamang na umiwas sa mga natitirang rounds. Sapagkat kung may boksingero sa kanyang weight reach na may kakayahang magbigay na permanenteng lamat sa katawan niya, o maging ng kamatayan, ito ay si Pacquiao.

Lumaban ba siya hindi upang manalo? Anuman ang sagot ay ayos lang; ang huling parada patungo sa Hall of Fame ay magandang laban pa rin.

WHY THE BABY FACED ASSASSIN WOULD BEAT THE PACMAN?

(July 19, 2007)

Concluding that he’s done is but logical; that the many brutal wars he has fought has finally caught up on him. With that tear and wear thing, anything that is less than a miracle won’t do to pull this one off. Not against a pound for pound king who happens to own the most devastating punches in the business.

Or so they say.

It is safe to say that Mexican star Marco Antonio Barrera’s 18-year illustrious career is fast drawing to an end. Looking closely on his last fights, the 33 year-old Baby-Faced Assassin has significantly slowed down; the sting of his left hook has considerably diminished as well as the power that once defined him as a very dangerous pressure-puncher. The odds are all against him. His best days in the squared ring may be finally over, but if there was something that has not left this future Hall-of-Famer, it’s his heart—that unwavering courage and unbreakable will to win he displayed in his classic trilogy with Erik Morales. That is something that will be tested once more in his coming rematch against Manny Pacquiao.

Many felt that this fight against Pacquiao would be the nail that would seal the coffin of his career. Considering the loads of tough fights he has endured and his now advancing age, it seems that only a miracle can make him win against the Filipino southpaw who, as others loved to put, is at the pinnacle of his career.

Barrera will go to the rematch coming off a loss against compatriot Juan Manuel Marquez (though I personally scored the Marquez fight as a draw; or even a possible narrow win for the Assassin had the ref not penalized him for throwing that stupid punch while Marques was down). Prior to this fight, his two outings against Rocky Juarez were very telling: the master boxer-puncher has remarkably slowed down.

Preview of the coming rematch

But if there was a fight that could best serve as preview of the coming rematch, it was the first fight. Barrera’s total demolition in the hands of the Pac Man in their 2003 meeting was so complete and brutally devastating that many had predicted the downfall of his glorious career and the end of his days as an elite fighter in the pound for pound ranking. He was simply out-jabbed, outclassed, out-sped and overpowered by the hard-hitting Filipino whirlwind. Pacquiao, who was a very hungry fighter back then, brought out the fight to Barrera by relentlessly beating him down throughout the game. Although seemingly uncertain how he would keep up from the heat Pacquiao has brought in the ring, he refused to bow down and continued to fight amidst total confusion. But the hungry Pac monster proved too much to handle. The stoppage inevitably came in the 11th.

But that was just now a footnote to the coming Pacquiao rematch. Expect Barrera to come more determined. Unlike in their first meeting where Pacquiao was the hungry fighter, it was Barrera who needs this fight more than Pacquiao so he could close his career in a high note.

And no, he was not a done fighter yet. How many times he had made the experts looked fool by proving them wrong? Every time they would say Marco’s done, he would annihilate his next opponent. Every time they would say that his days as a world-class fighter were over, he would resurface as a totally different fighter. He’s a very smart fighter who actually learns from his previous defeat and come back a better fighter in his next fight. This amazing capability of re-inventing himself has made the world a believer once and again.

The face-first left hooking brawler

Barrera debuted in pro boxing in 1989 at the tender age of 15. He won his first 43 fights, 31 by knock-out, slashing through the bantamweight and super-bantamweight division. Back then, the Baby-faced Assassin was a typical Mexican brawler who charges with his face first and let that vintage left hook fly to the body. His career shot into prominence in 1995 when he defeated on points the much respected Daniel Jimenez to earn the WBO super bantamweight belt. But it was his 1996 war against Kennedy McKinney that sealed his distinction as a(n exciting) boxing superstar. Both men hit the canvass in the closing rounds before Barrera finally punctuated the brawl by KOing McKinney in the 12th. Barrera busied himself in this year by knocking-out three more opponents before tasting the first defeat of his career latter in this year at the hands of Junior Jones.

Jones demolished Barrera in a strong fashion by peppering him with right crosses. The cross rarely missed and by the 5th, the Assassin was humbled. Jones simply shattered Barrera’s aura of near-invincibility, from which the Mexicans career was built upon. The pair clashed again after few months in a more tactically fought game. Barrera also lost the rematch, but after displaying significant improvements in his defense and overall boxing skills indicative of his metamorphosis from a face-first wild brawler into a more complete boxer-puncher.

Barrera went on a roll after the Jones rematch by knocking out seven more opponents (one of which was declared no-contest) and decisioning another one. Then in 2000 Barrera met the rising Mexican star, Erik Morales, in a unification battle for WBC-WBO super-bantamweight title. Everybody knew what happened in this fight. Many felt that the Baby-faced assassin won the game but Morales claimed the victory.

Shocking the world

After the first Morales fight, where many were claiming that the new kid had just supplanted him as Mexico’s boxing star, Barrera blew up Luis Freitas via round one KO. In his succeeding fight, he had again showed remarkable boxing skills against the respected Jesus Salud by schooling him with his terrific defense, superb jab and excellent footwork before finally scoring a TKO in the 6th. Then Barrera shocked the world by masterfully demolishing Prince Naseem Hamed in 2001 in their featherweight battle. Barrera went into that fight as an underdog that nobody gave him a chance against the great and unbeaten Prince. But Barrera proved the world wrong by displaying masterful skills, showing great patience, and applying more science in the fight. That was a totally different Barrera the world has witnessed: gone were the first-face charges and brawling attitude in the ring. A complete master craftsman was born; his place in the pound for pound elites was cemented.

A master craftsman

The master craftsman went on further in his career by defeating foes either by engaging them in a brawl or by methodically breaking them down in the process. That guy can now comfortably shift styles between a hard-charging brawler and a master boxer-puncher—something that he employed with a great degree of success in his succeeding bouts.

Of course, everything in his vast arsenal was nullified by Pacquiao in 2003. After his shocking lost to the Filipino lefty, people were calling for his retirement and experts were in unison saying that he’s done. But he proved them wrong again by racking successive wins either by KO or by decision. He KOed the slick boxer Paulie Ayala in the 10th and decisively beat the heavily favorite Erik Morales in a super featherweight title fight where he abandoned his slick counter punching and reverted back to his aggressive brawling style. Also, he dismantled Mzonke Fana in two rounds.

Barrera was such a great fighter that he knew how to turn his losses into win by actually learning from them and tremendously improving afterwards. He definitely has an edge against Pacman in terms of overall boxing skills and ring smarts. But can he keep up with the trademark relentless pressure Pacquio would apply to him? He needs to be extra cautious this time around.

Can he win this one? At 33, Marco is still a very dangerous fighter. That sharp, slick, perfectly-timed right hook that sent Marquez down in his knees in the 7th round of their last fight screams something: he is still that dangerous despite of his advancing age and seemingly wearing body. Would that work against Pacman? Barrera is set to prove the world wrong again.