Most kabalens want 5th bout between Pacman, Marquez

About Angeles City, Clark, Subic and Pampanga

STA. RITA – Most Kapampangans here are clamoring for a fifth bout between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao, after the latter’s devastating defeat at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Former Lubao mayor Dennis Pineda, who hosted the free public viewing of the fight in many areas here, said Pacquiao should now go back to an even more intense training and should also prepare for a possible fifth fight.

Marquez knocked down eight-division world champion Pacquiao in the sixth round on Saturday night (Sunday afternoon – Philippine time). But boxing fans here said the defeat is not the end of Pacquiao’s career.

Pineda said Filipinos, in general, would still support Pacquiao if he decides to fight again after his recent defeat.

“He became too complacent and became over confident. He needs now to reevaluate his fighting style and learn from this defeat,” Pineda said, stressing that Pacquiao would also need to look after politics.

He added that Pacquiao would have been able to defeat Marquez.

Marquez succumbed to Pacquiao’s lightning-fast skirmishes in the sixth round and got a swollen and bloody face, but somehow spotted an opening just enough to get a quick but solid shot on Pacman’s face as the Filipino boxing icon was about to launch another attack.

Athens 2004 Olympic Technical Analyst Roi Imperial said Pacquiao was able to redeem himself after being initially pounded by Marquez.

“It seems that Pacquiao has been displaying how unfocused he was not just with boxing but also with religion and politics. Now he has gone complacent,” Imperial said.

Ordinary viewers who watched the bout in Porac town also have the same opinion.

Tristan Guanzon, 29, said Pacquiao should redeem himself and live up to the expectations of his boxing fans. He said Pacquiao should start rigorous practice soon.

In social networking sites, however, most Filipinos displayed mixed reactions over Pacquiao’s defeat. Some even celebrated it and called for Pacquiao’s immediate retirement from boxing.

“He was in charge,” Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. “He just got a little too careless and got hit with a punch he didn’t see.”

Promoter Bob Arum immediately said he could see a fifth fight between the two boxers, and a dazed Pacquiao seemed to agree.

“Why not?” he said.

Aside from the widely discredited Bradley decision, this was the first real loss by Pacquiao since 2005 when he lost a unanimous decision to Erik Morales.

It was only the third time he had been stopped, having suffered a knockout and a TKO early in his career.

Filipinos and Pacquiao fans around the globe may have been devastated by the outcome, but the “Pacquiao-Marquez 4” clash proved to be among the best fights in pro boxing history.

In Porac town, Councilor Mike Tapang hosted a free viewing of the fight at Babo Sacan and Sta. Cruz. He said the bouts usually bring Filipinos together as one community. But with the recent defeat of Pacquiao, many are divided on whether or not Pacquiao should continue with his boxing path.

“Many still came to watch. The outcome of the fight was a real shock to viewers,” Tapang said.

Tapang’s free viewing included raffles to the viewers who came to the venues.

Former Lubao mayor Dennis Pineda also hosted a free viewing of the fight at the Porac Model Community here, where free drinks and snacks were distributed to viewers who trooped to the venue.

Vice Mayor Dexter David said many also came to watch the bout at the Jose Songco Lapid Sports Complex.

He said that despite the defeat, Pacquiao has managed to bring Kapampangans together in one communal spirit.

David said vehicular traffic in this town and other neighboring municipalities was at a virtual halt during the duration of the fight.

Meanwhile, Candabenios admired the sportsmanship shown by Pacquiao after losing to Marquez on Sunday.

Tricycle drivers, along with other male residents here, gathered to watch the fight.

“Para sa amin, panalo pa rin si Pacman dahil sa ipinakita niyang ugali sa pagtanggap niya sa kanyang pagkatalo. Ganyan din kaming mga Candabenios, lumalaban hanggang sa huli pero marunong ding tumanggap ng pagkatalo,” Chris Galang, a tricycle driver here, told Sun Star Pampanga.

Major thoroughfares in the town plaza were empty during the fight as private and public motorists opted to witness the bout as a gesture of support to a fellow Filipino.

“Sayang talo si Pacquiao pero ganyan lang talaga ang boxing minsan panalo at minsan naman ay talo. Pero saludo kami sa ipinakita niyang tapang,” Galang said.

Another tricycle driver here stressed that no matter what happened inside the ring, what is more important is that Pacquiao has shown the world that Filipinos know how to accept defeat.

Pacquiao and Marquez’s first fight was in 2004. It ended in a draw. The subsequent rematches were in 2008 and 2011 wherein Pacquiao landed victorious.

Despite defeat, Pacquiao was guaranteed $8.6 million for the fight, but his share of pay-per-view (PPV) revenues will push his paycheck past $20 million.

Meanwhile, Marquez got a share of only $3 million, but could increase up to $10 million with a big PPV audience. (With Sunnex and wire reports)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2012/12/09/most-kabalens-want-5th-bout-between-pacman-marquez-257544