THE PHILIPPINES REJOICES PACQUIAO'S TRIUMPH THROUGH LIVE SHOWS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 13 Apr 2014
The Maasin City Gym was filled with thousands of boxing enthusiasts cheering for the National Fist in the free live telecast. Traffic was very light as motorcab drivers were glued on the big screen and on TV sets at home. Only a handful of churchgoers attended the 11AM mass at the Cathedral near the City Gym.
Elsewhere in the Philippines, almost in every town and city, the showing of Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley Rematch was the main highlight of the day.
The nation rejoiced with the convincing victory of the fighting congressman from Sarangani. It was sweet revenge for the eight-division world champion as he proved to the whole world that he deserved to win the first fight against the previously undefeated American.
Criminality was again reduced to almost zero as society's bad elements as well as law enforcers viewed live telecasts. Rebels and military alike ceased hostilities to give way to the popular world title fight.
In the first round Pacquiao immediately showed his stuff when he threw combinations to the head and body of Bradley through the sound of the bell ending the round. The second and third was truly Pacquiao's when he landed a flurry on the champion trapping him against the ropes which he repeteadly done many times all throughout the fight. People at the MGM Grand Arena began to cheer "Manny! Manny! Manny!" People at the gym applauded the quick moves of the national sports hero.
In the fifth round, the champion began to taunt Pacman by uncovering his face as if inviting the challenger to hit him. The crowd jeered the champion's act of ridicule. He just showed his frustration of not being able to connect effectively to the Filipino icon with Pacquiao piling up more points.
Several times Manny trapped the Desert Storm on the ropes, with some counterpunches from the American not as powerful as those of Pacman's blazing guns. The fans shouted for Pacman to floor Bradley especially in the ninth round when the fallen champ almost hit the canvas with a hard punch. If not for the ropes, Bradley could have been knocked down.
The audience booed when Bradley clinched many times eluding Manny's powerful punches, to the point of running away from Pacquiao, especially on the eleventh. Pacquiao suffered a cut in the eye in the last round, but it was only seconds away from reclaiming the WBO world welterweight title.
Michael Buffer announced the result: "116-112, 116-112 and 118-110, the winner by unanimous decision and new WBO welterweight champion of the world...Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao!" The crowd roared in approval. Anywhere in the Philippines and all over the world where Filipinos are, we are once again proud of Manny's comeback.
When Mommy Dionesia was shown on the screen that she was so delighted above the ring, the people laughed and cheered with her. She was a symbol of how close Filipino families are. It was past 1:00 AM yet some people at the City Gym listened to the interviews on TV.
Everywhere I went people would greet me, "Pacquiao won!" And I would reply with a smile, 'Yes, we won again!"
Congratulations Congressman Manny Pacquiao from the people of Maasin City, Province of Southern Leyte and the Filipino people.
A full-packed Maasin City Gym watched Pacquiao's triump over Bradley Sunday morning in the Philippines.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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