Take 2 for the long-awaited rematch between Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez as Vegas’ MGM Grand rocks anew with a huge pack of their avid backers in tow

September 16 (17th Manila time) is when Barrera tries to wipe out the residual effects of an unconvincing win over Juarez in their first encounter.
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If you are one of the lucky fans who saw how the demolition bombs exploded in their furiously-fought match, then you know that Juarez is out to crush Barrera– else he’ll wind up a burgled victim the second time up.

Rocky calls it a daytime heist, alluding to the even scoring by the ring arbiters who subsequently reversed their ruling in favor of Marco.

Truly, a widely-booed decision that sent knowledgeable observers wondering if a quick trip by the judges to the eye clinic is in order.

I thought Rocky was deserving of a points win myself.

A sell out crowd is devoutly yearned by handlers of the former Olympian who is guaranteeing a knockout of the defending champ.

And this can happen if the crowd-pleasing ‘TexMex’ can land early his cache of uppercuts, crosses, straights and hooks on the smart-punching Mexicano.

Otherwise it would be futile for the Rock to thwart a second hold-up by the ‘Baby-faced Assasin’.

A win by Juarez over Barrera places him alone in the coveted corner of Mexican fighters who stays unwhacked by the hard-hitting Manny Pacquiao.

A victory over Barrera makes Juarez the challenger to reckon with when Pacquiao starts sorting out who’s next in his list of contenders for his people’s crown.

Such a need arises once the Pacman takes care of Erik (El Terrible) Morales in their November 18 rubber bout at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

But that’s a full three and a half month-wait for his fans who are getting antsier by the minute waiting for the completion of the Pacquiao-Morales trilogy.

In the meantime, a plum assignment in the undercard of the Barrera-Juarez pay-per-view, awaits our own Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista.

The exciting youngster from Candijay, Bohol gets a chance to raise his growing stature by taking on a rugged Chilean named Moises Gutierrez of the capital town of Santiago.

Gutierrez, (15 wins, 3 losses with 6 knockouts) looks impressive. Included in his list of victims are a couple of world rated campaigners.

This is one fight Ray can ill afford to lose.

A setback stains his clean slate of 16 knockouts, 4 decisions with no draws.

You know by now that this young phenom –given the right breaks– will turn into an all-out sensation among primetime worldbeaters.

With standouts such as Tony Aldeguer, Dan Neri Lim and Freddie Roach working the corner—can anyone with a right frame of mind tell me how BoomBoom can blow this one out?

Just asking?.

Manny (Pacman) Pacquiao and Erik (El Terrible) Morales reprise their previous hostile meetings with a compelling sizzler that could usher in a new set of boxing legends.

I’t’s the final installment of their trilogy with Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas picked anew as the site– a roped-off hell where once the daring duo figured in an arresting slugfest.

Manny and Erik split their first two heads-up duels but with the way the Pacman drubbed the Mexicano in their last session installed him the favorite in the rubber bout.

Pacquiao is on a tear while Morales has been inactive since their fierce shootout that ended in a tenth round knockout of the Tijuana native..

The same sustained action will be offered by both rivals with Manny starting early to surprise Erik.

Remember how it was when Pacquiao connected with his heavy punches in that sold-out melee? Morales after getting nailed with timely counters, staggered to an impromptu cha-cha with his legs moving independently from his other body parts.

Sensing he had his man treed, Pacquiao, cut loose with hard blows to send his fans roaring from the manhanding of the three-time champ who had never been stopped during his storied reign .

The oft-asked question is whether Manny can repeat over a focused Erik?

Can Manny being a devious practitioner of this manly art score another ‘kayo’.?

Great fighters like Pacquiao are insidious once they go for the kill.

But can he con Morales into watchhing out for his left– only to run smack into his deadly right as what happened in their bloody rematch?

You bet he will.

The pairing of arguably the choice super-featherweights is an extraordinary 12-rounder akin to a brutal brawl among carnassial-toothed cats in a back alley.

The winner gets to be richer—the loser slips into irrelevance.

WHAT ABOUT HIM?; In the shadow of the glorious victory of Manny Pacquiao over his Mexican challenger Oscar Larios, there is the lingering tragedy of another great Filipino boxer—Luisito Espinosa.

Louie’s plight was brought to my attention by boxing aficionado and TV commentator Hermie Rivera. Let him tell the vagaries of this irrational sport himself:

Manny Pacquiao continues to reap reams of write-ups. No one can question this doting adulation heaped by the press on his deserved fistic accomplishments.

Pero hindi naman tayo kaya nakakalimot sa mga ibang deserving fighters who have brought so much boxing glory to our country?

The case of Luisito Espinosa whose unpaid purse owed him (S150,000) by his promoters led by ex-gov. Larry de Pedro, promoter Rod Nazario and matchmaker Lito Mondejar, remains unresolved for over eight years already, and counting.

We’ve filed a civil suit for collection before Judge Rosario Cruz of the Manila RTC— walang nangyari.

Louie has written President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for help – walang nangyari.

He has written then Chief Justice Hilario Davide for assistance – walang nangyari.

Similar appeals to both houses of Congress were made –lalung walang nangyari.

And Judge Rosario Cruz of the Manila RTC seems to be taking her time far too long
in deciding the case, an outrageous legal stance taken by one sworn to uphold the majesty of the law.

Almost a decade and four lawyers later, the simple collection case is still hanging limp and forgotten like badly battered gloves. Why?

To refresh you on how this happened – On Dec. 6, 1997, Lusito defended his world boxing council (WBC)l featherweight crown against Carlos Rios of Argentina in Koronadal, South Cotabato.

He ended the well-received fight in a sensational 6th round knockout of the game challenger who went home with a badly re-arranged mug but with a purse that was paid in full tax-free.

After the customary accolades strewn his way by fawning pols and the rest of boxing’s denizens, Louie was, how do you call it, nagantso!

Interested readers hurriedly e-mailed this writer in response to the question posed in our piece last Saturday: Is Manny Pacquiao worthy of being considered one of the greatest Filipino athletes of all time?

We placed certain parameters of course, such as the bottom line of achieving a world of Olympic title, maintaining the excellence for an extended period, beating quality opposition, and being adored by the public. As per those qualifications, we presumed that Paeng Nepomuceno, Bata Reyes, Flash Elorde and perhaps double Olympic gold medalist diver Victoria Manalo (a.k.a. Vicki Draves) could be considered the greatest of all time.

Our first Alla Klar (aklar@imperoelectronics.com) sends his two cents’ worth from Chicago, Illinois:

“In reaction to your article today, I agree with you 100 percent. Manny has the potential of being one of the greatest in the world of boxing and the greatest Filipino boxer ever. I have seen many a Filipino boxer win a title and blow it all. There was Espinosa, and Dodie Boy (Peñalosa). Unfortunately, our fighters have the tendency to get lazy once they achieve fame, they spend their money foolishly and lose their good training habits, in Manny I’ve already been impressed, although he does slack off on his training, he’s always fit and has the stamina he needs when he fights, but if he keeps this up it seems that even he will fall. In Freddie Roach, Manny has found a great teacher, Manny’s skills and technique have improved 100-fold from the first time I saw that one dimensional fighter with a killer left, but now he’s a whole new fighter.

If he can just keep his training habits and follow Roach’s advice and like you said stick around for a few more years he can secure that greatest.

“Before anyone gets mad about the greatest Filipino Boxer Ever remark, take note that only Filipinos and real boxing aficionados really know who Manny Pacquiao is.”

Meanwhile, this unanimous decision from Carlito Agner (Carlito.Agner@Haworth.com) writes from another part of the US:

“I’ve followed your articles here in The STAR online now that I am living abroad. Comparing Manny’s feats to the past champions we had is not fair in my mind. Athletes nowadays are better trained, have better equipment, and simply have more information available to make them better, faster and stronger. On the other hand, these same athletes can also be easily lured to the good life due to more money, and therefore their abilities deteriorate as quickly. Apply that to boxing where the contest is to literally destroy your opponent physically and so your fortune multiply. Consider also, that, in Manny’s case, the last five or six fights he made were not against patsies and weakies. So I say, everything is being considered in the right context, Manny Pacquiao is one of the all-time Filipino greats.”

Bernard Quirino (bernardo.quirino@usar.army.mil) for his part, adds that time will be the final factor in ranking Pacquiao.

In my personal opinion, if Manny can bowl Morales on their third fight and line up Marco Antonio Barrera next and win that too. Manny will be next to God, and will surely be the pound for pound king and no doubt the Asia’s best! Thanks!

Lawyer John Andrew de Guzman (John.andrewdeguzman@yahoo.com) gives his own advice on what if would take to withstand the test of time.

“Pacquiao is not yet there at the moment, but the accolade of being hailed as the Greatest Filipino Athlete of All Time is within his reach. All he has to accomplish right now is to become a legitimate title holder and as you’ve said, “hang on to his title for a couple of years. Manny should thus set his sights on Barrera because the latter is the recognized world champion. He may be past his prime but he still has the belt. Pacquiao may have all the fame and fortune but all he’s got to show is an “international” championship belt, which many people mistook for a real title but is actually nothing but a ‘consuelo de bobo’ for contender.

“Manny should also start focusing on his craft. He is first and formost a professional boxer and a skilled one at that, so he should forget about show business. He must also be prudent enough in choosing his endorsements. He is a world-class athlete so his endorsement of alcoholic drinks is a big no no. I don’t remember Muhammad Ali or Michael Jordan endorsing Budweiser or Johnny Walker Brandy, he must practice discipline. We’re not trying to suppress his right to be who he wants to be but we also wouldn’t want him to end up like those boxing champions before him. Nobody cares for or even remembers Navarrete and Espinosa right now.”

And seemingly in connection with that sentiment, our old friend Hermie Rivera sent us a plea on behalf of former world champion Luisito “Lindol” Espinosa.

“I read your fine piece on Pacquiao, truly a meaningful reminder on which this irrational sport is all about. The guy continues to reap reams on write-ups and no one can question that doting adulation heaped by the press on his deserved fistic accomplishments.

“But, hindi naman tayo kaya nakakalimot sa mga ibang deserving fighters who have brought so much boxing glory to our country–citing specifically the case of Luisito Espinosa, whose unpaid purse owed by his promoters led by ex-Gov. Larry de Pedro, promoter Rod Nazario and matchmaker Lito Mondejar remain unresolved for over 8 years.

“We’ve filed a civil suit for collection before judge Rosario Cruz RTC Manila– walang nangyari. Luisito has written President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo– walang nangyari. Lindol has written Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Hilario Davide– walang nangyari. Similar appeals to both houses of congress – lalung walang nangyari. And the judge continues to take her time in deciding the case, an outrageous legal stance taken by one sworn to uphold the majesty of the law ika nga.

“Before I go my dear Bill, let me re-state two queries posed by our mutual buddy from Sacramento: What have you done to a man whose life is more than boxing–it’s about being an ambassador of the Filipino culture? What have you done to a true hero who succeeded to bring down the giants of his game AND GIVE US IMMENSE PRIDE AS A PEOPLE?”

I can feel Hermie’s pain, knowing how his relationship with Lindol has survived so much over the decades. Perhaps our present champions like Manny Pacquiao can use their newfound influence to help those who paved the way for them. Louie has suffered enough.

Hailed by Oscar de la Hoya as the world’s best in the super featherweight class, Manny Paquiao checked in at the Big Dome armed with his usual tools to make his fight look easy against Oscar Larios

But the Mexican brawler greeted Pacman instead with a marvelously-timed left hook– capped by a series of hard rights that hushed the packed crowd that came in full force for Sunday’s Thrilla at the Araneta II.

Given Manny’s past stoppages of the elite in his weight class, say, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, the bold stand put up by Oscar did mess up Team Pacquiao’s game plans which necessitated a shift in gears—offensively and to a greater extent—defensively.

And beating the Guadalajara brawler despite his shortened stint at his favored Wild Card gym in Hollywood was foremost in Manny’s priorities.

Larios who is confronted by the daunting task of toppling an icon showed excellent moves by: dominating the third round with wicked shots which for a while seemed enough to stop Pacquiao dead on his tracks.

Close but no cigar as the oft-used cliche goes.

Manny’s adroit defensive maneuvers forced Larios to miss badly at times, (wasiwas) resulting in a wind draft that could have saddled Manny with an unwanted “cold.”

Both warriors regaled the crowd who went gaga over the power blows traded freely in the entire match.

When the Pacman turned maddeningly ruthless in the final round with vicious headshots that floored the game Mexicano, the entire archipelago erupted in a deafening roar for their hero’s commendable performance, unseen in ages we might add.

Combining terrific hand speed, relentless punching and a warrior’s heart as reflected in Recah Trinidad’s authoritative Pacific Storm—nothing but a brilliant future is ahead for our superstar. Not that he hasn’t reached that much-coveted plateau yet

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So what’s next for Marvelous Manny, a superfeatherweight who punches like a heavyweight?

Completion of his three- fight deal with Erik Morales

The concluding part of their trilogy is penciled for November l8th at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The latest sighting of Morales was at Mt. Otomi where he has started climbing his calvary in a desperate bid to make the weight.

Speaking of weight woes, one can’t help recalling the ordeal Manny felt when he figured in a losing cause against Medgoen Battery who scored an impressive kayo in Nakhon,Thailand to claim his WBC flyweight title.

The culprit– KID OVERWEIGHT. From 135 to 113 pounds in a month’s time of ardous weight shedding.

Manny is now on a month- long rest before leaving to train at his digs’ in Sunny California.

Outstanding!

The whole country will be tuned in as Manny Pacquiao fights Mexico’s Oscar Larios in a 12-round bout in which there is no substitute for victory as he will be fighting in front of his countrymen who look at him as a national hero.

Manny Pacquiao is about to find out if there can be too much of a good thing.

The 27-year-old Philippine powerhouse reaped riches and national adulation when he won the WBC super featherweight title from Erik Morales in January, energizing young boxers around the country seeking to emulate his escape from early poverty.

While his power and speed are unquestioned, there are niggling questions about whether the non-stop commercials and public appearances have taken their toll as Pacquiao prepares for his first title defense against Mexico’s Oscar Larios on Sunday.

Pacquiao, bolstered by “Manny mania” as he prepares to feed off the frenzy of the home fans, is the overwhelming favorite. The common wisdom says the fighter known as Pac Man or The Destroyer will score a knockout fairly early in the scheduled 12-round fight, but analysts wonder if he might lack the stamina needed to go the distance if Larios can survive what is expected to be a furious tempo from the start.

Larios trained in Japan for two months. Pacquiao, meanwhile, was only in the gym about six weeks — the shortest preparation for any of his fights — partly as a result of his many outside commitments.

That puts more than a little pressure on Pacquiao to come out strong so he doesn’t have to worry about running out of gas.

“If you don’t get your man within the first half of the fight, you’ll begin to feel the rigors of the fight itself, and as the fight progresses and your opponent is still up there trading blows with you, you can have a problem there,” said Hermie Rivera, a Philippine boxing analyst.

At 29, Larios is a twotime former world champion. But coming off a loss to Israel Vasquez in his last fight in December that dropped his record to 56-41, he realizes that this is likely his last chance to line up big purses.

Pacquiao (41-3-2) has a little motivation too. A loss would take the shine off an expected third fight with Morales later this year and would devastate his devoted fans, who include President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband.

It wasn’t clear if Arroyo would be at ringside for the match, scheduled for 11 a.m., since she was arriving back from a trip to Italy and Spain on Sunday morning. But Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita urged the public to support its favorite son, while admitting there is huge pressure on Pacquiao to win.

The homecourt advantage is “going to be a big factor in his favor,” Rivera said. But Larios’ promoter, Rafael Mendoza, shrugged off the impact of a hostile crowd.

“They love him, but they can’t throw punches for him,” Mendoza said. “There will only be two fighters in the ring.”

The son of a poor farmer, Pacquiao once worked as a baker and construction worker to survive in his southern home province. His rags-to-riches tale has sparked hope among many young Filipinos who aspire to use boxing as a ticket out of poverty, said Recah Trinidad, a prominent sports columnist.

He has fostered a sense of hope among many Filipinos, who are fed up with the country’s turbulent politics.

“He’s a knight in shining armor; the only credible reason why we’re happy now,” Rivera said.(Associated Press)