A Letter to Al Mendoza

Dear AL,

After a hugely successful fight wherein Manny Pacquiao eked out a controversial draw against Juan Manuel Marquez, boxing nuts clamored ceaselessly for a return go between these two exciting featherweight mitt slingers.

But the rematch failed to get the nod of HBO, which holds the contract of both fighters.

Instead, Pacquiao dukes it out once more with Marco Antonio Barrera whom he pummeled to submission in one of the most exciting matches staged at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

So, unless one of them gets struck by a giant meteor, everything points to a Barrera-Pacquiao II, a truly tantalizing fistic happening demanded by their promoters and followers

Just how much Pacquiao wants this fight is best evidenced by his early departure from his ‘extra-curriculars’ and plunging head-on into training at his Gen-San digs. Quite unusual when one thinks that the calendared rematch is months away.

A May departure for his L.A. camp where his guru Freddie Roach awaits him completes his pre-fight Barrera preparations– leaving Oscar Larios the only stumbling bloc in his year-ending tiff with the Mexican title holder.

Metal plate in Barrera’s head or brain and all (not to mention the beating he got from the Cotabato marvel) I am picking the would be Mexican lawyer to beat our Manny.

Nothing really against our champ but my gut feel (here we go again) tells me that Barrera has what it takes to turn it around this time.

True, Pacquiao boxes faster, has more power but can he land his “sockdolager” sans his 99 cents socks?

Cordially,

Hermie Rivera

Al Mendoza replies;

If there’s one guy who is stubborn as Bombolini, the character so brilliantly essayed by Anthony Quinn in the classic war film, “The Secret of Santa Victoria,” it is Hermie Rivera.

You tell Hermie that Pacquiao ought to be the winner over Marquez, Hermie will say “you watched a different contest.”

You tell Hermie that Jay Leno is a great comedian, Hermie will shoot back, “You mean he’s better than George W Bush?”

You tell Hermie that Marcos lost to Cory in the 1986 snap polls, Hermie will intone “I will offer himself to Al-Quaida for beheading if you can prove that.”

With Hermie, switch to safe topics, like his brother Melchor’s world-class ‘kalderetang kambing’ when he starts blurting ” Joe de Venecia is the nation’s best House Speaker of all time.”

When he’s in full throttle, you will never win against Hermie–you will never see him budge one inch in a verbal skirmish. Ask “STAR’s Quinito Henson or Ed Picson of DWIZ.

Oh yes. Hermie will raise his voice but never his arms. Only one man can make him surrender Milton Alingod—the coolest press secretary this country has ever had.

But don’t get me wrong fellas. No Hermie isn’t a KJ. Will never be. In fact hours after Pacquiao had beaten Barrera, Hermie almost had me floored when he called and said, “I had just checked in at the Manila Hotel. Know why? I just called my house and you know what the maid told me?”

What?

“Some people shouting Mabuhay si Pacquiao have not stopped pelting my house with tomatoes.”

Now get this: If PGMA becomes too serious about her tax schemes that she suddenly goes too uptight at her cabinet meetings– who you gonna call?

Why none other than Hermie Barrera oops, Hermie Rivera pala.