A Close Fight?!

Timothy Bradley is not to blame for winning the Welterweight crown, because he just did his job as a boxer and a fighter whose duty is to box and fight. He did his best; and like Pacquiao, he fought to win. Unlike the other fighters who fought the Eight World Division boxing Champion (De La Hoya, Cotto, Margarito, Clottey) he engaged Pacquiao in battle up to the last minute, up to the twelfth round, which is crucial and a deciding round in close fights. Being a dirty fighter, if indeed he is, is not enough to blame him for winning either; for dirty fighting is not new in this savage sport and it was not the reason why Pacquiao had lost.

Interviewed just after the fight was a boxer who is a believer and a convinced victim of controversial decision in boxing; according to Juan Manuel Marquez, the bout was a close fight, and close fights are decided by the judges who could go either way. Pacman and his followers believed that it was not a close fight, but a one sided bout in Pacquiao's favor. Understandably, some people believed that it was indeed a close fight. The underlying question therefore is whether it was a close fight or not; for if it was close fight, no one can truly blame the judges who scored it in Bradley's favor.

People must have so used to seeing Pacman won either by knock-out or by a lopsided victory; as if for them, any victory lesser than a knock-out is not a win. This might be the reason why mostly of Pacquiao's close fights end up in controversial decisions. Pacquiao and his camp should have known this and should have avoided it to happen.

But maybe to win convincingly is not easy; particularly, if one fought an undefeated younger fighter, who understandably is hungry and so eager to make a name for himself. One who is coming from the bloodline and legacy of great fighters; and one who has the home court advantage being born and raised in the proud and most powerful country: "the home of the free and the land of the brave".

The Championship bout was a close fight; and in my humble analysis, if we really should blame anyone, the one to blame is the one who has the power to avoid it by winning convincingly, if not by knockout; Manny (The Pacman) Pacquiao. The preceding seven paragraphs are my probable reasons why:

(1). His age (Time Factor): Pacquiao is 31 years old who had fought so many fights, and some of those fights were against big known powerful fighters who can incur an unimaginable damage to their opponents. Physical conditioning is very vital in his training, but his strength coach, Alex Ariza, left his camp during his training in preparation for Bradley's fight.

(2). His Over confidence and complacency: He is rumored to watch and finish the Boston Celtics' game 7 loss to Miami Heat just before he went up the ring. Understandably, Boston is said to be his favorite NBA team. Furthermore, Freddie Roach prediction that Bradley will go down before the seventh round is a proof that they don't take him seriously. It was a Championship Match and it is hard to believe that lack of concentration, out of focus, and a subtle show of disrespect to an opponent had caused him to lose a crown.

(3). His Karma: Regardless of whether the judges are fair or not, two out of three decisions of Pacman's controversial fights favored him. Now the score is even; now he is on Marques shoes experiencing the feeling of one whose win was robbed. 

(4). His change in religious denomination as shown of him not wearing his rosary when he went up the ring. There is a Filipino axiom, "One who doesn’t look back will not reach his destination". One may ask, Why look back, it will only slow you down?  The answer is, to make sure that in anyone's journey, nothing, especially important possession, is left behind. Intentionally or not, Pacquiao on his way to the square ring had left something, and that something is faith. He should realize that there is only one God and his Rosary is a long time companion that has nothing to do with his change in so-called religion.

(5). His Singer: Music is a very strong subtle force that affects everyone, particularly for fighters who are representing a country in battle for supremacy, crown, glory, pride, and honor.  Pacquiao's  choiced  diva, young Jessica Sanchez' exceptionalrendition of his opponent's Anthem that brought the house down is a prelude that indeed something is about to happen; that, as Timothy Bradley Jr. predicted, will shock the boxing world.

(6). His faith; Being a renewed Christian and Pastor, Pacquiao, together with his outlook in life and in boxing, has changed. And many of his fans believed that his faith had turned him into a merciful fighter which to them is not a ring gladiator should be. As what occurred in his skirmish with Margarito and Cotto, Pacquiao knowing that he is points ahead slowed down and refuse to box his opponent. Indeed it was; although, I personally believe that The Pacman has nothing left to prove in boxing and in winning, what he has to prove is his faith. The defeat means nothing to him, and in his words and action, he is telling us how to accept defeat, even if that defeat is a robbed win defeat.)

(7). Lastly: Why is it that significant boxing matches are judged by people who are chosen by gamblers? To echoed the dirty thoughts of some boxing fans and analysts: Vegas, being the gambling capital of the world is a sin city where anything dirty and corrupt could happen. Cheating, if not caught, is legal in gambling; and boxing, which had turned into a form of gambling, draws a lot of bucks and betting. Given the chance, the rich and the powerful people of gambling would have a hand on the outcome of the game; particularly, if the protagonist and the judges would allow it, and if they can hide it in a split decision of a close fight.