Pacquiao fires up Filipinos again

Levi Verora

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Rappler contributor Levi Verora shares his thoughts on Pacquiao's fight vs Rios and how, once again, the People's Champ brought smiles to Filipinos

HIGH SPIRITS. Pacquiao's win vs Rios lifts the spirits of typhoon Yolanda survivors. Photo by Rolex Dela Peña

MANILA, Philippines – After Pacquiao was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez on December 2012, HBO sports analyst Larry Merchant pronounced: “And we have to ask will Manny Pacquiao be ever seen in the ring again?”

What Merchant was indirectly trying to ask is if Pacquiao’s glorious career is over.

Pacquiao’s reply to Merchant’s words came 11 months after his shocking defeat as he pounded Brandon Rios to submission in over 12 rounds in Macau Sunday.

Fans from all over the globe trekked to Macau’s Cotai Arena where they chanted of “Manny, Manny!’ as Pacquiao showed boxing skills he seldom displayed in his previous bouts.

Pacquiao boxed, jabbed and then ran away from Rios. He would repeat this tactic and made Rios an ordinary fighter.

The 8-division world champion punished Rios with lightning-quick combos which his counterpart was never able to solve.

After Michael Buffer read the judges’ scorecards, he said: “He is back.”

“(I wanted to) recover from the knockout and give a good show like the young Manny Pacquiao,” he said right after the fight.

Pre-fight fever

On fight day, as in any day Pacquiao fights, there were few vehicles on the streets.

Newspaper stands all had Pacquiao as the day’s biggest story. Jeepneys didn’t have many passengers.

Tricycle drivers flocked the front rows of their terminals to catch a ringside view of the action in front of television sets. Some terminals didn’t even have tricycles at all.

Most people tuned in via radio stations before the TV showed the bout. Those who can afford rushed to the nearest cinema, restaurant, or any venue that offered live telecast.

I waited for over 30 minutes before finally catching a bus.
A tricycle driver told his fellow driver: “Pacquiao pa rin ‘yan e (The Pacquiao magic is still there)

“Bilisan mo maglakad para maabutan natin ang Pacquiao (Walk faster so we can watch Pacquiao’s fight) ,” exclaimed a mother to her little son even if it was nearly five hours before the fight, which began around 12:30 pm.

People turned into boxing analysts trying to outwit Larry Merchant, Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman, and Roy Jones. Showbiz reporters instantly became sportscasters. Everybody else became cheerleaders, jumping and shouting as hard as they can.

For those who are not even into boxing, just watching Manny Pacquiao got them hooked.

Post-fight hangover

Filipinos brought their excitement to the world wide web. Everyone got involved. Congratulatory messages flooded social networking sites after the match and we all know this will last until the next few days. (READ: Pacquiao beats Rios in unanimous decision)

We’re not yet ready to let go of ‘Pacquiao day.’

He knew that if he lost, his career will end. That’s the sad reality Pacquiao had to face. He is 34. Some boxers retired by this age. Others kept trying. Eleven months ago, Pacquiao had to choose whether he’ll continue fighting or call it a career.

Amid all the uncertainties, doubts, and adversities surrounding him, Pacquiao decided to push through and he overcame all the challenges he faced.

The win came two weeks after Nonito Donaire’s trashing of Vic Darchinyan, and months after a series of boxing downfalls befell Filipino fight fans.

But that is history. Pacquiao delivered. He is back.

He shared the triumph with everyone affected by calamities and with all of us who wished ‘Pacquiao day’ won’t end’ – Rappler.com


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