I just got back from watching the PPV fight at Glorietta with mixed feelings. I was very happy that our “Pambansang Kamao” Manny Pacquiao won the match. However, the fight left me feeling that something was missing. Perhaps it was because the fight did not end in a KO or TKO. Perhaps it was because of what happened during the 11th round.

(WARNING: SPOILERS below)

The first 10 rounds served only to build up into a climax at the 11th round. Although both fighters were in top shape, Marco Antonio Barrera seemed a little sad. One could really see the improvement in Manny Pacquiao’s fighting style. We was still aggressive as ever, but you can clearly see in him resisting the urge to go in for the kill in exchange for what could only be described as respect and wisdom. He knew he was up against a well seasoned fighter. I guess after having seen 45 fights and sending ex-nemesis Erik Morales into retirement, you start getting a little wiser.

In this fight, he knew he had to be careful, and it paid off. In the match it was clear that Barerra still had a lot of fight left in him. His counter attacks were well timed and beautifully executed. He set the pace of the fight very early in the game by keeping his distance from the Pacman. As if in a desperate effort to reach his opponent, many times Manny’s legs were so wide apart like he was doing a split. Pacquiao would also at times hop to close the gap, and every time he did that Barrera would either counter or close the distance real quick to lessen the strength. I wonder if things would have been better if Pacman would have kept trying to get inside risking smaller blows, instead of keeping both feet on the ground in order to be able to lengthen the distance quickly, which is way in Barrera’s countering range.

So, where was I.

Round 11. The climax of the fight. The effects of the 10 rounds plus a huge cut below the right eye were starting to show on Barrera, and Pacquiao was very hot and eager for the kill. He was able to corner Barrera and landed a solit right, the a left, before landing a huge left jab to the head that almost sent Barrera down. Pacquiao tried to end it, but got into a clinch so the referee stepped in to break it up. During the process, Barrera sneaked in a right hook, that sent Pacquiao dizzy. My heart stopped and I panicked. Pacquiao would have gone had he not been holding onto the corner rope. The doctor stepped in to look at Pacquiao and Barrera got a one point deduction.

When the fight resumed, it was over. Pacquiao had lost his momentum (and some of his power) in that last “souvenir” sneaky punch.

I had fogiven Barrera for the sneaky punch back in round 10, but sneaking in a punch during a break? The replay shows that the referee was already way in between Barrera and Pacquiao when the punch occurred, so I don’t think it was an accident or a spur of the moment thing.

Boo.

Thank goodness Manny fought all 12 rounds beautifully thus winning by unanimous decision. Many times he could have followed through and ended it but he gave Barrera tons of respect, maybe too much, that he almost got burned in the 11th round but stayed up gracefully and standing tall — a true champion.

Mabuhay ka, Manny!

Erik Morales: RETIRED
Marco Antionio Barrera: RETIRED

Next!!!!

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