However we must continue to introduce new names into the pipeline to ensure the presence of Pinoy fighters amongst boxing elites.

Of course Boom Boom Bautista and Abe Concepcion’s hopes continue to be kept alive as they are still able to get fights here and abroad.  Gerry Penalosa’s wards Mike Farenas and his nephew Dodie Boy Penalosa Jr.  may also come up in the rankings if given good opportunities.

Let us not forget Drian Francisco, Al Sabaupan and Roberto Gonzales all or whom are just in the wings waiting for that one big shot.

Michael Domingo, Donnie Nietes, Denver Cuello all too familiar boxers who we all are just waiting for as they prepare for the big time.

If all goes well and good match ups are arranged, Filipino boxers should continue to cement their presence in world boxing rankings.

I am at home seated at what we call the “boy’s area”. My family is inside the house doing some last minute wrapping.  Its such a wonderful feeling just to know that they are safe and well provided for.

 Tje boy’s area is where the grill is located.  I conveniently place a pool table( you know, the Filipino version of billards- same rules using round wooden pieces instead of balls) and a dart board.  In the same area is a small refrigerator filled with various drinks. 

When we building our home, the boy’s area  was the only part of our house that I made sure my concept was to be followed.  It was to me where I will be having “barkadas” come and relax.

Right now, I am here all alone with a small yellow spot light right above me typing away on my laptop.  Running around is our one and 8 month old labrador retriver named “Bunso”.  

Its just one of those days that I cannot help but thank the Lord for His mercy and kindness.   Although I have dreamt of having our own house and having a little nook like this, I never really thought it would come to pass.  Several years ago, just having a roof above our heads was good enough.  But God is truly good and He never goes back on his promises.

More than just having this place is the peace that I have found.  At this very moment, although there are still things that I must worry about, I am not anxious.  I know that in His time, as He has done in the past, everything will be alright.

Ok,  have to go, “Bunso” is calling me out to play.

Viloria has had to claw back to the top of the rankings twice over. This is his second chance to hold on to flyweight greatness. After the surprising loss to Carlos Tamara right here in his native land, he needed three remarkable wins to regain a championship belt, the WBO flyweight title.
Segura will fly over all the way from Mexico to try to steal that belt from Viloria. Segura is fresh from two KO wins against Ivan Calderon, a fighter Viloria has a lot of respect for. Viloria has said several times before that he had to face Ivan Calderon to cement his hold on this weight division. Segura’s wins against the Puerto Rican places him on the sights of the Filipino.
Brian has to dig deep down once again to ensure a victory against cement like gloves of the Mexican.

There is no doubt that these two will go down in boxing history as hall of famers.  No one will contest the fact that the trilogy will be remembered to be one of the best.  However, the outcome dampens magnificence of the event.

Pacquiao finally put a stamp on his dominance over Marquez but the fact that many boxing experts believe otherwise diminishes the glory.  

Marquez came into the fight with a clear fight plan.   And he implemented perfectly.

He showed everyone that he bulked up for the fight, making everybody conclude that he was ready to mix it up.  Come fight day however, he did exactly the opposite.  He waited and baited Pacquiao to come in so he can do what he does best-counterpunch.

Pacquiao himself at the post fight interview said that they were surprised that Marquez stayed away from him.  Everytime he would attack Marquez knew exactly how to stop him.  Thus making him more confused.  This plus the cramps he started to feel at the beginning of the fourth round did not help.

Many will say that challengers must bring the fight to the champion to win.  No boxing book has that as a rule.  A boxing match regardless if it is a championship fight or not is about two pugilist on the ring showing all who is better.  Marquez created a situation where Pacquiao was forced to initiate contact.  In the first few rounds, Marquez seemed to have know exactly what to do against the advancing Pacman.

Pacquiao’s double jab straight combo or the left hand lead attacks were met with slight rock backs and stinging counter right hands from Marquez early in the fight.

Because of this Marquez was able to dictate the tempo and pace of the fight allowing him to conserve his stamina to allow him to get to the 12th round with strength to spare.

Pacquiao got his bearings back in the latter part of the round and the basic argument from those who say that Pacquiao won was that the Filipino took rounds 11 and 12.

Compubox numbers reveal a  slight margin for Pacquiao as by their count he threw more punches than Marquez but the same computation stated that Marquez connected with more telling blows.

The third fight ended with Pacquiao winning the fight, but it seems as time goes on Marquez will be claiming the victory.

Marquez will go down in history as the man who has given Pacquiao the most problems.  36 rounds of boxing may not have proven who is the better boxer ,but it certainly showed that Marquez may just be as good a boxer as Pacquiao.  A common term for that is “kontra pelo”, someone who will forever be your nemesis, the thorn on your side, the person who will always keep you on your toes regardless of how well prepared you are.

Marquez, if he retires now, because of the uncertainty and the questions on the result of this third fight, will clearly have the luxury of knowing that he has what it takes to stand toe-to -toe against the best pound for pound.

Unfortunately, amidst all his successes, a situation like this will forever haunt Pacquiao.  It does not lessen nor questions his stature as best boxer in the world, it will just be another obstacle that he will need to overcome… as he has done in the past.

Their first two encounters were never decisive as a lot of boxing experts have said that Marquez has won at least one of those fights if not both.

Marquez will fight with a bigger heart because he has a bigger reason. In his mind he needs to finally put to rest doubts about the last two fights, he is out to prove that he is better than the best boxer in the world.

This is the first time that Manny will be coming into the ring against someone who clearly has a chance to beat him despite the age disadvantage that Marquez has to contend with.    Pacquiao cannot be too confident against a fighter who knows he needs to win  vindicate himself and in all probability change boxing history.

Nevertheless, the desire to prove himself may just be what will help the Mexican pull out an upset.  Though both fighters are out to prove something (Marquez is out to show all that he is the better fighter and Pacquiao has to win to show his previous win was not a fluke), it is Pacquiao that might be feeling more pressure to perform.

Be that as it may, Manny now comes into this fight with all the advantages he needs to dispose of Marquez. He is younger, stronger and definitely faster.

If Marquez resolve falters at any point of the fight,  Pacquiao will walk away with a win yet again.

He knows the game inside and out and uses all this knowledge to win every fight. He’s recent performance against Victor Ortiz just proves this yet again.
Mayweather’s win against the young upstart will go down in the record books as a legitimate win. Thus, he will continue to have an unblemished record of 42 wins with no losses and draws. However at the same time, he will also go down in history as the bad guy, the villain of the sport if you will.
The sad part of this whole scenario is that regardless of how good Floyd maybe as a fighter, it is his character that will forever be remembered. His total disrespect of his father will overshadow his speed. His total disrespect of the institution that he fights in will negate his power. His total disrespect for other fighters will never allow his great defense to be emulated as it should be.
Mayweather forgets that being a boxer is only a small part of who he is. He forgets that other boxing greats whose legacy still lives on like Ali, Foreman, Leonard, Duran, Chavez, Elorde, is brought about by who they are and not just simply what they have done in the ring.
Mayweather clearly defeated Ortiz, the blow was legal, but though the ring record will show this, the boxing world will never accept it as a legitimate win.
I hope that he realizes the power and influence that he actually has and finally decide to use wisely. He still has time.

This WBC light welterweight fight happened in 2005 and it clearly showed how dominant Floyd was at this weight category. His speed was his main weapon of destruction as Gatti, visibly baffled by the lighting moves of Mayweather could not and I really mean could not do anything to make the fight a decent one.
Mayweather was throwing 3 consecutive right hands which Gatti could not at all counter. It was a classic case of speed ruling over power.
Gatti’s vaunted power was nowhere to be found in the ring. Needless to say, Mayweather ability to move, stick, jab, run, attack at will is what made him then the best pound for pound fighter in the world.
Now as the world waits for the inevitable encounter of the two best boxers , we need to first wait and see how Pretty Boy Floyd fairs with another hard hitting pugilist such as Victor Ortiz. Lets first see if that speed is something that is still intact.
Watch out for more Mayweather fights on ACTV on IBC.