THE PACQUIAO-MOSLEY AFTERMATH: THE BLAME GAME
By Reylan Loberternos
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 10 May 2011
Tungod, Inabanga, Bohol ? When a highly publicized and rather overly-hyped boxing spectacle fails to meet its promised expectations, everybody involved seems to resort to playing the blame game, pointing fingers at every conceivable direction. Most people blame Mosley for playing it safe and pulling off a Barrera, impersonating the Baby Faced Assassin in the equally uneventful Pacquiao-Barrera sequel. Others blame the promoter Bob Arum for once again pitting someone who doesn?t stand a chance against arguably the best fighter on the planet.
A few others blamed Pacquiao himself for not showing in the earlier rounds the ferocity he displayed after getting the loose end of referee Kenny Bayless? erroneous call in the 10th round. Some others even blamed the fans who bought the hype and paid extra dough just to get a glimpse of an unexpected disappointment. Everybody?s just blaming everybody. Be as it may, we shall try to examine a little closely these denunciations, specifically on Mosley?s part, so that we might accurately and reasonably assess the rationality of these reprehensions.
First, we tackle Mosley, not in the literal sense of the word, of course. He?s already had enough beating at the hands of Pacquiao, after all. In all seriousness, it is rather a little bit too exaggerated to say that Mosley was only fighting to survive right from the opening bell. It may be safe to say, however, that Mosley?s confidence wasn?t were it used to be during his heydays, but he sure as hell wasn?t thinking he had no chance at all? at least before that fateful knockdown in the 3rd inning. He thought he could beat Pacquiao.
In fact, Mosley was pressing forward on numerous occasions in those three opening rounds ? perhaps before he felt and finally realized that Pacquiao?s power was for real. Come to think of it, had he fought in those earlier rounds the way he did post knockdown and onwards, would Pacquiao have caught him with a sharp left to score a knockdown? Apparently not? If the Filipino firebomb wasn?t able to catch Mosley when the latter was visibly gassed out, how much more elusive would he have been in the earlier rounds with all his energy intact?
Mosley?s bewildered look when he was decked in the 3rd canto was reminiscent of Erik Morales? facial expression when he looked towards his corner with his butt on the canvass, coincidentally on the exact same round of that 3rd edition of the epic Pacquiao ? Morales trilogy. It was a look that depicted an admission of defeat? a subtle sign of surrender.
The Pinoy ring legend had that exact same effect on every single boxer he?s faced as of late. We can probably consider Juan Manuel Marquez as the lone exception? but we?ll see about that once they tangle this November. The featherweight and lightweight versions of Pacquiao might have had troubles dealing with Juanma?s waiting style? but this welterweight version of the Pacman is on an entirely new level ? in a league of his own, if you may.
Mosley?s pride prompted him to rise up in an effort to at least keep his slate clear of knockouts. Unfortunately, it was that same pride that might forever tarnish his reputation as a fearless fighter. Morales did the exact opposite and eventually paid a steep physical price from the punishing fists of the Pacman. But time heals all wounds, especially the physical ones. ?El Terrible? kept his reputation intact and along with it the respect and adulation of boxing fans. Mosley, on the other hand, rose up and ran and ran and ran some more. Yes, he took Pacquiao the full 12 rounds and finished the fight on his feet. He could have gone down swinging, but he simple chose not to go down. Can we blame him for that? Perhaps not? for not everybody has the heart of Morales, you know!
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