By Hermie Rivera

Dear Sir,

Happy New Year and thanks for your letter. My apologies for a very tardy response, but it seems the holiday season commandeered my time and attention more than usual.

My favorite part of your article is reproduced hereunder:

“From where I sit, Manny Pacquiao’s raw courage encased in a heart as huge as the combined-tickers of Marines hunting Bin Laden  should do Oscar de la Hoya in.”

After the fight, I received quite an influx of emails regarding how I failed to factor in Manny’s heart and desire. My response has been quite simple.

It is easier to make predictions based on what is finite, what is measurable.. such as wins, losses, kayoes etc…

A fighter’s courage or will to win or what we refer to as “heart” is indeed immeasurable and incapable of “pecuniary estimation” (legal jargon)– but that is not to say that it is not factored into the equation.

The problem is that it is difficult also to state coming into the fight,that Oscar had no heart.

A fighter of his caliber who has won numerous titles in several weight divisions also deserved some credit for his desire and will to win.

Ergo, in my estimation, I had to stick to other statistics in making my call.

As to the fight itself, most of those who predicted a Pacquiao win opined that Manny would begin to take over the fight at the later rounds (8 or 9) and win after Oscar tires.

Very few expected Oscar to be impotent from the beginning and fail to win even a single round. As to whether or not it was a weight issue, a strategy issue or an age issue is beside the point….

It was a great performance from Manny and that is why he is the best in boxing right now.

As always, my continuing admiration for your work…

Cheers!

Jingo Quijano

Dear Atty Quijano,

I just can’t resist crowing over a neatly-delivered paean for the rampaging Pacman.

Ditto for a happy & wealthy New Year for you and your loved ones.
Chiz, Hermie Rivera