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.