GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/9 December)—Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao suffered a stunning loss Sunday (Philippine time) to Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez who landed what probably was the biggest punch of his career.
Marquez unleashed a right straight that landed flush on the chin of Pacquiao, who dropped cold like a fallen timber—face down— to score a come from behind spectacular knockout win.
Pacquiao was out of his wits and took several minutes before he was able to stand on his own.
To his family members and fans here and elsewhere in Mindanao and other parts of the country, they were dumbfounded by the excruciating defeat suffered by their idol.
Liza Onding, Pacquiao’s older sister, appealed to his brother to stop fighting after his stunning defeat.
Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene A. Dominguez said he was stunned just like everyone.
“We know he carried the flag of our country proudly today. He still is our champion and will continue to be an inspiration,” the governor said in a text message.
Just like in past Pacquiao fights, the streets in this city Sunday was generally deserted as residents await the fight over live telecast.
In Surigao City, City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas, who joined the “masa” at the Surigao City gym, said everyone who went out of the gym were “guol and minghoy,” but the “Surigaonon’s pride to the people’s champ has not wavered.”
“This is a sad day for all Filipinos and we are sad by the result. From the start, we saw how Manny was over-confident but like he said,
sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Manny Pacquiao is still our champ,” he said.
Living up to the billing
The fight lived up to its billing with both boxers hitting the canvass before the fateful ending.
Pacquiao was leading with his left straights in the first two rounds and was connecting more accurately when he got tagged by an overhand right from Marquez in the third round.
It sent him down backwards.
Pacquiao, however, recovered and dropped Marquez to his knees in the fifth round with a short left straight and almost brought him down again towards the end of the fifth round.
The fight was going Pacquiao’s way, who was all over Marquez in the sixth round.
Then the biggest punch of the night with one second left.
Marquez perfectly timed his right straight as Manny was moving in.
Pacquiao was out before he hit the canvas.
A terrified Jinkee Pacquiao was all tears as Pacquiao’s seconds rushed immediately to the fallen Filipino boxing icon.
It is the second consecutive loss for Pacquiao and there was no doubt about it.
In the post fight interview also beamed live, Marquez, who vowed not to let the fight go to the scores of the judges, said he caught
Pacquiao with a good right.
He said he is going back to Mexico to enjoy his victory. (Edwin G. Espejo with reports from Vanessa L. Almeda, Bong S.
Sarmiento/MindaNews)
