Pacquiao-Marquez IV

And that's that.

With one crushing blow, Manny Pacquiao was out cold. With one crushing blow, the people of the Philippines were out cold, as well. In a sport where crushing blows sell fights and end fights, it only took one to write history. It had all the makings of a classic. Two of the best pound-for-pound fighters slugging it out, their respective countries on their backs. Pacquiao-Marquez 4 was supposed to be the end. It ended in spectacular fashion but it also started another round of the blame game.  

Blame Manny. Blame Jinkee. Blame Freddie. Blame Buboy. Blame Ariza. Blame Chavit. Blame his entourage. Blame his new beliefs. Blame his extra-curricular activities. Blame Philippine politics. Blame Floyd. Heck, let's blame Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley and the rest of the NBA. Maybe we should blame one or all of them. Maybe we shouldn't. But if I had to put the blame on something, it would be Juan Manuel Marquez's right fist. His right fist that seemed to have a vendetta, a score to settle with Pacquiao. His right fist that carried 8 years full of anger, frustration and pain. His last-second punch was so strong, it felt like we were all face down on the canvas. Maybe we were and to some extent, maybe we still are.

Through 5 rounds, I had Pacquiao ahead by a close 48-45. Each fighter had been knocked down, Pacquiao in the 3rd round and Marquez in the 5th. The Mexican already had, what it seemed like, a broken nose, courtesy of the Sarangani province Representative. With seconds left, I had Pacquiao winning the 6th round. Seconds later, it was over. Juan Manuel Marquez finally got the monkey off his back. While he is now feeling the effects of Manny Pacquiao's punches, the pain is a far second to the jubilation and relief of finally and officially beating the man. For six rounds, we were witnesses to what boxing should be. If Marquez had failed to connect on that last punch, we would probably be witnesses to one of the greatest fights ever. For the warrior from Mexico City, it probably already is. 

And all it took was one crushing blow.

Pacquiao-Marquez III

Manny Pacquiao, the Fighting Pride of the Philippines, was supposed to knock out Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He was supposed to deliver his vaunted left hook right at Marquez's jaw. With one minute and thirty seconds left. In the 6th round. He was supposed to get lifted off his feet by Buboy Fernandez and his horde of followers, his fists in the air in a show of jubilation. He would then be interviewed by Mario Lopez, asked about his next fight, his much-awaited showdown with Floyd Mayweather. Pacquiao would flash his winning smile and answer that it would be up to his promoters to decide then segue to promote his after-fight concert at the Mandalay Bay. Here in Manila, the people would be buzzing about the People's Champ's great victory, each one saying the fight was worth the price of the admission ticket and already warning Mr. Mayweather that he would be next. Pacquiao was supposed to put the doubts of his last two fights to Marquez to rest, proving once and for all that he was the better fighter.

But unlike the script we already played out in our heads, things happened oh so differently.

The thirty-eight year old Marquez defied father time and put on one of the best displays of boxing over the last few years, brilliantly keeping Pacquiao at bay while unloading vicious punches to the Filipino's head. Pacquiao, for his part, looked tentative, only showing sporadic signs of life. He would connect from time to time but we never saw the flurry of punches he was famous for nor his legendary speed and power. The Pac-Man we saw was hesitant, cautious of Marquez's counterpunches. For the Filipino boxing fans, they knew Manny would be lucky if the match had been judged a draw but after twelve rounds it was clear that this was supposed to be the Mexican Warrior's day, his time for revenge and his chance at redemption.

But unlike the fairy tale ending Marquez knew he deserved, again things happened oh so differently.

Robert Hoyle had it a draw 114-114. Dave Moretti had 115-113 and Glenn Trowbridge had it 116-112 for the winner and STILL WBO Welterweight Champion, Manny Pacquiao. After hearing the decision, Marquez and his posse left the ring in haste and possibly, in disgust. Yes, Pacquiao showed flashes of brilliance, Yes, Pacquiao threw more punches. Yes, Pacquiao is a Filipino and so am I. I believe that Pacquiao won the first two fights but not this one. After the final bell, it was either a draw or a Marquez victory for me. Not to take anything away from Manny but in the end, it was supposed to be for the fighter who dictated the pace and connected more clearly.

But unlike how a lot of boxing fans, myself included, saw how this fight would end, again things happened oh so differently.

And that is why this victory is a bitter pill to swallow.