Pacquiao Brings the World Closer Together

By Johnny M. Pecayo
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, MANILA-U.S. TIMES
www.manila-ustimes.com

THE HUGE CROWD around the Boxing Arena at the Events Center of the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

LAS VEGAS, NV -- For over two hours, last Saturday, October 6, the Philippines' "Pambansang Kamao" (National Fistfighter) Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao brought the world closer together in his remarkable rematch against Marco Antonio Barrera at the Events Center of Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino, witnessed by 10,112 boxing enthusiasts.

In those precious moments, the world stood still to watch the "Will to Win" fight between the Philippines' People Champ and the Mexican legend.

From a vantage view where I was seated, with Olive Calumpad to my right, mother of "Kyla" (Melanie Calumpad in real life) who sang the Philippine National Anthem; Edu Manzano of the "Pilipinas Game Ka Na Ba" fame, infront of me; and Jestoni Alarcon and Lizette behind me, the 12-round fight was truly an exciting one from beginning to end.

Relying on his hand speed and powerful punches, Pacquiao controlled the action, from Round 1 to Round 12, and won the majority of the fighters' entertaining exchanges.

Pacquiao was determined to beat Barrera one more time, as Pacman (Pacquiao's monicker) TKO'd Barrera on Round 11 in their first match in November 2003 in San Antonio, Texas.

Unanimous Decision

Three judges gave Pacquiao a 12-round unanimous decision. Jerry Roth and Glenn Trowbridge each gave Pacman an identical score of 118-109, while Tom Schrek scored it 115-112.

Unnecessary Punch

Barrera had a point deducted for punching Pacquiao on his face on referee Tony Weeks' break in the 11th round. In the earlier rounds, Barrera even elbowed Pacquiao in the course of exchanging punches. In one instance, Barrera hit Pacquiao below the belt.

In the ensuing fight, also in the 11th round, Pacman, hurt by the unnecessary punch earlier, retaliated and had opened a cut under Barrera's right eye with a powerful punch.

Pacquiao, in the early rounds, scored with incessant attacks that showcased his agility and speed, but Barrera, true to his form, fought back, responding with effective counter-punches.

Both Pacquiao and Barrera engaged in excellent slugfests in the fourth and fifth rounds, with Pacquiao's left and right combinations landing on Barrera's face and body.

"It was a good fight, but it was different from the first fight," Pacquiao said. "He's a good, smart boxer. I knew he would have to box me this time around. But I'm satisfied with the win. I thought the people were happy with that fight. I'm trying to make people happy, to give a good fight. I hope that people liked this fight tonight. We did our best," Pacquiao narrated during the interview.

Roach's Comments

"Manny boxed well. He showed good footwork cutting Barrera off and moving him to the right. When he did that, it was beautiful," commented Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer.

"Barrera surprised me that he lasted as long as he did in the fight," Roach said. "He has a lot of heart and guts and he fought a great fight."

Barrera Retiring

With this loss to Pacquiao, Barrera's record dropped to 63-6. "Honestly, this is my last fight in this beautiful sport," Barrera said. "I definitely lost my head in a couple of rounds. I got caught up in the exchanges. I shouldn't have stayed in the exchanges. I should have kept boxing him."

In his storied 18-year professional career, Barrera won world titles at junior featherweight, featherweight and junior lightweight. After past losses, Barrera rebounded with six victories, but he couldn't do it this time around with Manny Pacquiao.

Pacqiao of General Santos, Philippines, with a record of 45-3-2, 35 KOs, was landing a good number of punches, and was doing it again in the 11th round when he knocked Barrera into the ropes.

The victory of Pacquiao set up a possible rematch with Marquez. In their 2003 fight, he knocked Marquez down three times in the first round but Marquez stormed back to gain a draw many believed Pacquiao won.

Bob Arum of Top Rank and Oscar dela Hoya of Golden Boy were there to support their respective fighters, but both of them praised Pacquiao for coming out the best fighter of the two. "He is a world-class fighter," said Arum, referring to Manny Pacquiao.

Businessmen's Comments

Businessman Gay Padiernos was happy that Pacquiao won, but a bit lonely that Pacquiao failed to deliver a TKO of Barrera in any round. "I was expecting Manny to deliver a big blow to knock out Barrera, but it didn't happen. But what's important is Pacquiao won it unanimously, without any controversy," Gay declared.

Paul Emata, President of American Ring, LLC, expressed a different view. "The Filipino nation should celebrate the victory of Pacquiao, as he gave the Philippines an added pride and honor with this victory over Barrera," Emata said.

Businessman Emmanuel Bernabe said, as he was walking toward the Mandalay Bay Hotel, from the Events Center: "Manny Pacquiao's victory tonight proves to the whole world that he is the best fighter in the super featherweight category, and we are proud of him."

Ms. Rose de Ocampo, Manila-based MANILA-U.S. TIMES' Marketing Manager, who is into real estate business, commented: "I watched the fght on TV here. Parang (It's like) everything stopped in Metro Manila during the hours of the fight. Peace, law and order prevailed. Let's have more Manny Paquiao moments, please."

Wilson Y. Tieng, President and CEO of Solar Entertainment Corporation, who has been a solid supporter of Pacquiao for many years, came all the way from the Philippines, along with Luis T. Fuentes, President of Solar Resources, Inc.; and Yolanda S. Pedrina, Vice President, Land Management and Acquisition of Solar to watch the well-publicized fight.

Other dignitaries and showbiz personalities who came from the Philippines to watch the fight were: Vice President Noli de Castro, Congressman Prospero Nograles, Congressman Hermilando Mandanas and his friend, Regina O. Reyes; Department of Energy and Natural Resources Secretary Jose L. Atienza & Mrs. Atienza, and son Ali Atienza (who ran for the mayorship of Manila and lost to Mayor Fred Lim); Edu Manzano of the "Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba" fame; Composer and Recording Artist Lito Camo, Eddie Gutierrez, Anabelle Rama and son Richard Gutierrez; former Senator Robert Jaworski, Rudy Fernandez & Lorna Tolentino; Jestoni Alarcon & Lizette, and many more.

Olive Calumpad, mother of Kyla, came to Las Vegas for the first time. "I am so glad that Manny gave my daughter, Kyla, the opportunity to sing the Philippine National Anthem," related Mrs. Calumpad when interviewed. Kyla performed very well in her rendition of "Lupang Hinirang" to the delight of those inside the arena, and millions of televiewers all over the world.

It was alleged that, that special role to sing the Philippine National Anthem, was originally assigned to Ara Mina, but there was a change in assignment two weeks prior, to obviate controversy from further broiling between her and "Pacman." The role was given to Kyla by Manny Pacquiao himself.

Victory Party

Russell Rufino, who handles marketing, events and promotions, issued invitation to everyone present to join the post fight victory party, hosted by Manny Pacquiao, held at Planet Hollywood, a few miles away from Mandalay Bay.

Greetings from President Arroyo, Senate President Villar
Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal Aroyo congratulated Manny Pacquiao for scoring a unanimous decision over Mexican boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Our 'Pambansang Kamao' (National Fistfighter) is the Philippines' gift to the world of boxing," she said in a statement. Mrs. Arroyo said Pacquiao's win has again lifted the Filipino spirit."Pacquiao once again buoyed the nation's spirit with his excellent fighting form and indomitable spirit," she said. Senate President Manuel Villar, meanwhile, issued a similar statement in praise of the Filipino boxing icon."We are truly grateful to Pacquiao for once again giving glory to the country and making every Filipino proud of his nationality. He represents Filipinos who have the heart of a fighter," Villar said."His win inspires us all to fight, no matter how mighty the problems besetting the country are today," he added.With the win, Pacquiao retained his WBC international super featherweight crown. -- Las Vegas-based Executive Editor of the MANILA-U.S. TIMES (MUST), Joseph B. Pecayo, contributed to this story. MUST photos by Chief Photographer Romeo M. Balboa. -- Posted by Ma. Liza P. Banz, MUST Website Designer and Editor.

AT THE WEIGH-IN on October 5, Manny Pacquiao weighs 130 lbs. Shown at right is Marco Antonio Barrera.

KYLA, one of the mainstays at GMA-7, renders beautifully the "Lupang Hinirang," Philippine National Anthem, just before the Pacquiao-Barrera fight officially started.

MANNY PACQUIAO (right) hits Barrera's nose with his right fist.

BARRERA (left) tries to cover his face as Pacquiao continues with a rampaging attack on him.

PACQUIAO gives Barrera a powerful left hand punch, as you can guage in this shot.

AFTER WINNING UNANIMOUSLY, Manny Pacquiao stands 10 feet above the crowd at this corner of the Boxing Arena, Events Center, Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel & Casino. At right is Oscar dela Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, receiving a whisper-message from one of his business associates.

CONGRESSMAN Hermilando "Dodong" Mandanas of the 2nd District of Batangas, along with his friend, Regina O. Reyes, and some friends, after attending the Saturday mass held at the presidential suite of Manny and Jinkee at The Hotel.

Manny Pacquiao with Manila-U.S. Times' Publisher, Johnny M. Pecayo.

BOXING ENTHUSIASTS and Pacquiao supporters proudly display the Philippine flag at the Events Center of Mandalay Bay, from left: Johnny M. Pecayo, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the MANILA-U.S. TIMES (left); Zenny Melencio of Bremerton, Washington; Kathrine Pugeda and Chiarra Levita of Las Vegas, Nevada, with an unidentified gentleman at right.

FILIPINA BOXER Ana Julaton poses with MANILA-U.S. TIMES' Chief Photographer Romeo M. Balboa, who made an exclusive photo coverage of the Pacquiao-Barrera fight for the MANILA-U.S. TIMES.

PACQUIAO's supporters from the Philippines (seated, from left) are: Ali Atienza, Mrs. Atienza, DENR Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr., and Congressman Prospero Nograles from Davao. Standing (l-r): Maristel Audrey Santoyo, Maura Salatandre, Gina Durias, Atty. Peter Durias, Atty. Orlando M. Salatandre, Jr. and Jake Joson.

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, together with high government officials, walk with International Super Featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao toward Kalayaan grounds during a courtesy call on the President. In her speech later, the President lauded Pacquiao for making Filipinos proud for his victory over Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera. -- RENY PAMPOLINA/PCPO/ PNS