March 16, 2008- This day will be like a holiday here in the Philippines just like other Pacquiao fights in the past. It is expected that there will be some kind of lull from the usual Filipino daily activities and a ceasefire from all warring groups (even for just a few hours) because Filipinos will be united once more as we will all be rooting for our country's pride, Manny Pacquiao. This is the most awaited event not only for boxing aficionados around the world but for the entire Filipinos as well especially for Manny Pacquiao's kababayans here in General Santos City. The long anticipated bout dubbed as Pacquiao-Marquez 2 "Unfinished Business" shall take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
It can be recalled that Pacquiao-Marquez 1 drew blood in 2004. I was able to watch this fight live on TV. I had been a witness how Manny Pacquiao fought with all his might giving powerful blows to Juan Manuel Marquez that made him hit the canvass three (3) times in the first round. This wasn't declared by the judges as knockdowns. Eventually, Marquez fought back in the next 11 rounds that earned him a split draw against our own boxing icon. I was deeply moved by Pacquiao's effort to win that time. He even had blood coming out from the punches given to him by Marquez, but he didn't gave up and fought like a true hero, giving pride to the Filipino nation.
Pacquiao wants to redeem himself in this fight. Sweet revenge is within reach. He is known to be a knock-out expert based on record and he is given the moniker Mexican Killer after winning over Mexican great boxers Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Oscar Larios. I am pretty sure he can claim victory in this fight because he endured long and rigorous training under the wings of his trainer, Freddie Roach.
Marquez said that Pacquiao is no Mexican Killer because he has yet to claim victory over him. He wants to prove his worth as Dinamita in the boxing arena. He offers this fight to all the people in Mexico.
So much is at stake in this fight. More than the fortunes that Pacquiao and Marquez could extract from this bout, national pride and honor for both the Philippines and Mexico will be held most high.
I am betting on Pacquiao because he is a Filipino like me who takes pride in bringing our race known into the world of boxing. Win or lose, I am betting on him because he has a heart of a world-class champion and of course we hailed from the same city, General Santos, not only famous for being the country's Tuna Capital but also the Home of True Champions!
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