YOU ARE STILL OUR CHAMPION MANNY
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 04 May 2015
After more than five years of waiting, you have finally engaged with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in the Battle for Greatness last Sunday. It was a battle but many did not consider it as the real Fight of the Century.
You have aggressively fought to connect your punches amidst the vaunted tight defense of the pound-for-pound king. Floyd's counterpunching really took its toll on you in some instances. Like that of Juan Manuel Marquez, counterpunches were Mayweather's strength turning as your weakness.
But you showed to the world that you were far from intimidated by your opponent's size and five inch reach advantage. As Floyd backpedalled to evade your stinging punches you chased him as if you are a police running after a suspect.
Running and clinching were part of his strategy which many considered as uncalled for tactics of a real champion. Your style of fighting was that of a true champion - fearless and lionhearted.
Yes, Floyd landed 148 punches compared to your 81 and his 81 power punches connected were more than the 63 you landed on him. It may be the reason for Dave Morreti's 118-110 favoring of him which many of your supporters considered an overkill scoring.
Glenn Feldman and Burt Clemens' identical 116-112 may be nearer the truth, but the 115-113 unofficial score of Associated Press giving Mayweather a slight edge may be more realistic.
It was predicted that without a knockdown its hard for you to win in a Floyd promotion. It was indeed difficult to score a KO on an elusive foe who evade himself from flurry of exchanges.
They call him a tactician. But for us he was a graceful dancer and a tight clincher. And the fight could never surpass the classic that was Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier and the nonstop action packed Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns.
The pro-Pacquiao MGM Grand Arena crowd booed Mayweather when Jimmy Lennon, Jr. announced the scores and declared him winner by unanimous decision. It just showed that people in Las Vegas wanted Manny instead of Money to win.
Not only Filipinos liked your courage but as well as a great majority of Americans and Mexicans. A horde of celebrities sympathized with you and felt sad with your loss.
Millions wanted to see a rematch before Floyd hangs up his gloves for good. It will be a good idea to give you a chance for revenge but the cards are still in the hands of Mayweather.
Nevertheless, the whole nation is waiting for your return and will give you a hero's welcome.
Win or lose, you are a winner Manny. You are still our champion.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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