Paeng's Thoughts on Pacquiao's Defeat

Just some thoughts from a boxing fan:

Habang pinapanood ko ang labang Pacquiao vs. Marquez 4, dumarami  na rin ang mga nagpopost ng status sa facebook at mga tweets na nagsasabing, "mag-retire ka na, Manny" o "humihina ka na."

I disagree. I think Pacquiao's team simply chose the wrong strategy for that fight. Hindi siya natalo dahil sa tumatanda o humihina na siya. Hindi rin dahil dinaya siya.

Ebidensya? 'Di ba mas duguan ang mukha ni Marquez kaysa kay Pacquiao?

Inaabang-abangan ko ang round 6 kung saan sabi nila dumapa si Manny. Inaabangan ko pero kinakabahan din ako bilang isang Pinoy. Kahit alam ko namang siya lang ang yumayaman diyan.

Balik sa topic: Pacquiao was being aggressive and reaching too far trying to double his range. 'Ika nga ni Chino Trinidad, a popular boxing analyst, "Manny did less lateral movements than before. Puro linear attacks." In my opinion, that tactic gave Marquez the advantage because Marquez is taller.

Pero bakit pinili ni Manny ang technique na iyon kung matatalo pala siya? Simple lang, parang sugal kasi iyan. Kapag malaki ang taya, malaki rin ang panalo. Pero nandiyan ang panganib na maaaring malaki rin ang talo. Kumbaga, isinugal niya ang panga para mas malayo ang abutin ng kanang kamay. Ngunit tuwing sumusuntok siya, nae-expose ang gilagid niya sa banat ni Marquez. It was a risky move. This was exemplified by the overhand punch that knocked Pacman down in the 3rd round.

An overhand punch, sometimes called a hay maker, is a long reach punch that comes from an upward angle. It is powerful and difficult to block. Katulad ng mga suntok sa away-kanto.

(Watch how to do an Overhand Punch)

His strategy also made him susceptible to counter punches. Let me explain. A punch is like a train coming directly towards you. If you move backwards, you'll still be in front of the vehicle and it will still demolish you. But if you move to the side, you dodge the onslaught. Nakasuntok ka pa ng dalawa hanggang tatlong beses.

In fact, what knocked Manny out in the 6th round is a basic counter punch. Marquez moved to the left then let out a straight right. He was about to give a left hook to the body when he noticed Pacquiao going down.

Hindi tsamba yun. Kung papanoorin ulit ang 6th round, makikita nating dalawang beses ginawa ni Marquez and technique na ito. Kumbaga, praktisado siya. Parang timed bomb ang kamao niya na nag-aabang ng tamang pagkakataon para sumabog.

Next thing we know, the referee signals the end of the fight, Juan Marquez celebrates and Jinkee becomes hysterical trying to wake Manny up.

(Watch how to Counter Punch)

Kung gayon, sino ang dapat sisihin? Wala! Sumugal sila, nagkataong natalo. Ganoon na nga ang nangyari, malaki ang nalugi sa kampo nila kasi humigit-kumulang dalawang minutong nakaplakda si Pacquiao ayon sa tsismis.

Dapat bang mag-retire si Manny? Kung ayaw niya, eh 'di huwag. Pero kung ako sa kanya, titigil na ako. Dami na niyang pera eh. That's beside the point, though.

On another note, ang galing ni Manny noong 5th round! Idol pa rin. Congratulations!!!

Oo nga pala, 'wag mong masyadong seryosohin ang mga sinabi ko. Inaalikabok na ang gloves ko dahil hindi na ako nagti-train. Lumalaki na nga ang tyan ko eh. Parang 5 months pregnant.

Note: I'm just a boxing fan. No experience in the ring or as a coach. So don't take this seriously.

Click here to read another take on Pacquiao's defeat.

Also, read this to read Coach Roach's Post-Fight Interview.

(Here's a clip of Marquez practicing that million dollar punch

during his preparation for the fight)