"Unfinished Business" - Manny Pacquiao Vs. Juan Manuel Marquez II

PACQUIAO - MARQUEZ II

"UNFINISHED BUSINESS"

January 16, 2008, a day after my birthday (yes it is, im now accepting gifts!) is the slated date of the rematch between Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao and the reigning World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez.

Back in 2004, Pacquiao floored Marquez early in the first round of their first match. Marquez visited the canvass three times that time. One of the judges (Bert Clements) scored the round as 10-7 in favor of Pacquiao that led the match to a draw. The score should have been 10-6 like what the other judges scored (3 points for 3 knockdowns and 1 for advantage in the round). Marquez was lucky to escape the game with a draw because of the bad scoring. Will he be lucky this time? Mark my word, I don't think so. I am confident that Manny will win this fight.

When it comes to politics, I didn't like the idea of Manny running for a seat in the government. Pacquiao's reply to those who are questioning him for running is, its in his heart to help his poor countrymen. My reply to him, he can do that even when he is not seated. Many rumors spread that he ran because he pushed by some politicians that wants to ride on to his popularity. In short, benefit from him. I don't know about that but I didn't even see him seated as congressman. Besides he faced the well known lawyer and incumbent congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio who already had a big machinery that abled to trump his popularity. But when it comes to the boxing sport, every Filipino is a fan of Pacquiao. A hero he is to the country, bringing pride and unity to every citizen of this country. No wonder there is zero crime rate in the Philippines everytime he steps in the ring.

I have watched almost all of Manny's fight. He has blossomed into a completer fighter. I was critizing him before for his weak defense and a not so good footwork but he has always been a bomb on the ring. Too hard to exchange combinations with him, the technique employed by Barrera was a bit effective but fall short when it comes to scoring. Seeing Pacquiao's fights recently, he has improved both on his defense, footwork and speed. There is no way that this Marquez is going to stop him having seen Marquez's fight with other pugilist.

Fellow Filipinos let us unite again to see this unforgettable match. Go Philippines! Go Manny Pacquiao!