Let’s cut the BS on a Pacman-Mayweather fight

CEBU, Philippines - What every boxing fan witnessed last Sunday was not a fight but a boxing tutorial.  All the hype manufactured by the Algieri camp was not supported by actual strategic offensive attacks and the result was a rather expensive sparring session where each of them got several million dollars richer and the promoters even richer.

Most fight fans had pay-per-view but what we had in our area was free-per-view courtesy of our local cable TV provider.  When I tuned in, it was the first time in my years of following Manny Pacqiuao’s  boxing career that I saw “Pacman” being severely walloped by a Chinese fighter, who was incidentally being handled  by Freddie Roach.  Like the bullying shown by China on the Spratlys, Pacman’s mini-me from Thailand was like battered chicken until the final bell sounded.

I won’t go to the details of last Sunday’s main event as every sportswriter worth his meager pay already had their own analysis of the mismatch.  The only area that Algieri won by a mile is thru his movie star looks that even Mommy D was reluctant to cast her voodoos on the tall and handsome fighter.  At 30 years old, Chris Algieri can compete with the Afflecks, Hemsworths and DiCaprios of Hollywood.

The subject of facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. always comes up after every Pacman fight and with a dash of sarcasm and humor, our fighter gleefully said,  “He’s going to fight me?  He’s going to fight me?  Yehey!” or was it “ha,ha,ha”?

Recent reports say that Pacman is willing to receive lesser money than Floyd Jr. just to have the fight see the light of day.  Reports also say that Floydie wants a rematch clause on his contract in case Pacman causes him to see stars.  To the best of my knowledge, these are all unconfirmed but one thing is clear – someone is deathly afraid of losing and has unconsciously admitted defeat with the rematch clause being demanded.

Promoters are also competing for the projected fight.  A prince from Dubai expressed interest in staging the fight in the Emirates, considering there is a good number of Filipino OFWs based there.  New York’s Madison Square Garden, Las Vegas and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium were also on the radar if the match pushes thru.

Pacman knows, and everyone knows that cowards let their mouths do all the action and that’s exactly what Junior and Senior are doing.  Unless father and son signs the dotted line at the bottom of the contract, then and only then can we talk of a super mega fight.

Loudmouths claim that they’re the best in whatever and in this case, they say that pound-for-pound, they’re on top of the boxing world.  Yeah right.  Back up that claim, stop hiding behind that cloak of cowardice and, to be frank and straight about it, face your fears.  Greatness is measured by all the failures made to reach the achieved goals.

Until the first bell has sounded for the first round, then can we argue on who will knock the living daylights out of who.  Meanwhile, we continue to dream of a Pacman-Mayweather match.  Let us also hope that we will be among the 300 or so freeloaders on board two chartered flights the next time Pacman fights in Macau.  That will be the day.

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Cebuano cage fans are familiar with Brian Heruela, he of the stocky build who used to anchor the plays for Junemar  Fajardo during their University of Cebu days.  His entry to the PBA was not smooth but right now, he has found a home and hopefully, he’ll have a long and fruitful stay.  I just wish that coach Leo Isaac will give him more minutes.  Heruela, in my own opinion, if given the right exposure, is better than the other point guards that Blackwater Elite have in their roster.  Give him the breaks and there will be no need for the aging Willie Miller.  He is stronger, heftier and best of all, younger than Miller.  See the light gentlemen, don’t waste an obvious talent that you have at your disposal.  Use Brian Heruela.

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From Carcar City in the south to Danao City in the north, students wake up as early as 4 a.m. to prepare for school.  Every freaking day they commute and endure all the inconveniences just to be at their respective schools.  Neither rain nor storm can deter diligent students from attending classes.

Yesterday’s weather disturbance displayed in all its inept glory, the administrative decision of one particular institution residing along P. del Rosario street.   Upon reaching the university for the 7:30 a.m. classes, students were barred entry by the guards on duty saying classes were suspended.  Naturally, students went home.  Less than an hour later, the school declared classes were resumed.

Since the school already told them to go home, do they really think it’s easy for students from the far ends of the province to just simply go back to attend classes?  Were they thinking of the time, effort and resources wasted not to mention the ever present risks involved during their commute?  I don’t have to say more.  What the university did yesterday was irresponsible, inconsiderate and stupid. (FREEMAN)