Switching On the Sun

As free-flowing as the number 8, Manny Pacquiao fatefully (make that f-8-fully) claimed his world record feat of being the only boxer to have won 8 world boxing titles in likewise 8 different divisions. And 8’s quite, err, it’s quite matching that he did it as the new elected Congressman of his hometown. 8 (as validated by their official car plate number) is a Congressman’s number. In the ring, defensively side-stepping as if motioning “8” through body language, Pacquiao quickly waltzed a defensive move while capitalizing on every opening his gloves could penetr-8. At the expense of a taller and heavier Mexican Antonio Margarito, Pacquiao domin-8-ed all throughout the fight. As if living up to his name “pakyaw” (a Filipino term) which means all-encompassing. His control was definitely large-scale given the David-and-Goliath aspect with his persona being the former. The Goliath in Margarito was rather down-scaled. However, he looked bigger with his face badly puffed-up; he could as w...

The Dream Match was how the De La Hoya – Pacquiao welterweight boxing match was regarded. Dream Mismatch would have been more apt. That said, it’s more of waking-up-to-reality for De La Hoya and his fans and supporters as well going into the fight as the favorite. With the deemed 'mismatch' going the other way around, it would have been regarded as an upset. In such a shake-up, the loser would have been upset… But no, seemingly preserving his 'golden' name, Dela Hoya conceded defeat early on. Yet, was it really like that to begin with? Pacquiao’s admittance of his admiration for the more celebrated De La Hoya could probably be more of the reason why it was a dream match for the Pacman in the first place. How about for De La Hoya? Was it because despite of his expected loss, being the bigger star assured him of a heftier purse? Like the “Mexicutioner” (a title even the Pacman doesn’t like) , I’ve always been a fan of the Golden Boy. I cannot see myself cheering for him ...