AS ‘MOST EXCITING SPORTS EVENT’: Campus writers pick Pacman-Barrera rematch over 2008 Beijing Olympics
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 26 Jul 2007
ILOILO CITY – Some 200 campus journalists from different colleges and universities in Western Visayas have chosen the October 6, 2007 rematch between WBC international superfeatherweight champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao over the 2008 Beijing Olympics as the “most exciting sports event” this year and next year.
The young writers, all campus editors from the provinces of Capiz, Antique, Aklan, Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental gathered at the Iloilo Grand Hotel here for the Basic Journalism Seminar-Workshops sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), have also predicted a knockout win for Pacquiao.
They were asked to pick between the international boxing match slated at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas and the World Olympic Games which will be hosted by China for the first time since its revival in 1896.
Meruya Venezar of La Consolacion College, Bacolod City, saw the rematch as “another epic battle for Philippines versus Mexico.”
Darren Naelgas of Aklan Catholic College, has predicted the fight to last in the third round. “Five rounds,” he said, is “too long for Pacman to demolish Barrera.”
“This is another must-see fight of the year; everyone will again be on their respective poses in front of their TV sets,” wrote Mark Wilfred Popioco of West Visayas State University (WVSU) quoting a certain Pacquiao fan Don Anthony Falsis.
Mary Rose Lyn Violanda of The Riverside Collegian, Bacolod City, said “Pacman will eat up the Mexican.” She added that “Pacquiao will The Baby Face Assassin to his grave.”
Sajid Pelayo of The Forum, Aklan said “the October clash between the two memorable brawlers of boxing will be one of the highlights in this year’s roster of events.”
But Erika Demaguila of WVSU Forum-Dimension, predicted that this time “Barrera will try to snatch the title from Pacquiao.”
Joey Ajera of Capiz State University said Pacquiao will once again frustrate Barrera saying “the Filipino icon carries explosive left hook and a potent right jab.”
Shareen Maria Villanueva of WVSU said between the two fighters, “Pacquiao has the edge because of his flexibility and attitude.”
Some of them claimed that they liked the Barrera-Pacquiao fisticuff because “boxing is an explosive and action-packed sports” while they find the Olympics boring because the country has not yet won a single gold medal.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
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