It's Official! Pacman v. Margarito!

Based on different sources available, Bob Arum has already confirmed the clash between the Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito. The venue for this event is yet to be decided by the Top Rank Chief Executive. Nevertheless, I just wonder whether this is the best possible fight available for the no. 1 pound for pound fighter in the world. I am not saying that he will not win but the risk is too high with a very low reward.

Why did I say that the risk is too high? It is because from the looks of it, Margarito will enjoy about four and a half inches advantage in height. That is not all, there is also a tendency that Margarito may escape with another "anomalous" handwrapping strategy. On the contrary, Margarito's credibility and popularityhas been sliding down mainly due to the plaster found in his hands after the Mosley fight. Hence, defeating Margarito will add little to Pacquiao's already impressive credentials.

But as a boxing fan, a fight is a fight. Since Margarito has physical advantages in height and reach, this may test the resilience and perhaps the inner greatness in Pacman. With the fight at super welterweight, this is way beyond Pacman's weight (I believe that he is a natural lightweight at most). Manny has superior speed and activity rate. The question is can he bring his power to super welterweight?

My humble submission is that Manny may have some power at super welterweight but this will not be enough to drop Margarito. Except for Mosley, no one was able to really stop the Tijuana Tornado from launching his attacks. Manny, however, is still the favorite to win the fight but only by way of a unanimous decision at most. He may outbox Margarito by using his speed (assuming that he brings it at 154). He can use his handspeed and ability to punch by utilizing different angles. He may capitalize on his own advantages so that Margarito will be confused. In the end, I foresee Margarito swinging while hitting nothing.

The threat here is when the power (natural or with the aid of cheating devices) of Margarito comes into play and hurt Manny. Pacman has to avoid this to seal the victory.

My prediction as of now: Pacquiao by unanimous decision.

Abe v. JuanMa: My Analysis

The fight is on. The Filipino pugilist Abe "The Real Deal" Concepcion will face his toughest opponent in his career. Juan Manuel Lopez is the heir to the throne of Miguel of Miguel Cotto as the King of Puerto Rican boxing. This is a difficult fight for Abe and here are some points to consider.

1. JuanMa is bigger and has power - We saw how dominant JuanMa was during his fights against Ponce De Leon and Gerry Penalosa. In this fight against Concepcion, he will enjoy a height and reach advantage. The burden of Abe is to show than he can take JuanMa's power and overcome the hooks and jabs.
2. Abe is slightly faster - I like Abe's foot speed. I also believe that he owns a slight speed advantage over JuanMa. What Abe needs to do is to move in and out and use effective head movement to avert the dangerous bombs of Lopez. He has to get his timing and balance early because JuanMa can capitalize on just one major mistake.
3. JuanMa will fight in his own country - This is a big advantage. Aside from the fact that he is the champion, he will fght in front of his countrymen. Abe has the onus of taking the fight to Lopez and try his best to go for the kill. Merely outboxing JuanMa will not do because Abe can still lose via a hometown decision.

As for my prediction, I am giving Abe 40% chances of taking the title. JuanMa is physically and statistically favored. Nevertheless, the beauty in boxing is that one punch can change everything. Upsets are always possible. Abe has power but I don't know if it is sufficient to put JuanMa's ass in the canvass. We will see tomorrow.

God's Revelation In the Midst of Struggles

Last Wednesday, I was texted by the Secretary-General of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines (Florenz Mosquera) regarding an emergency on-line meeting. So I immediately rushed to the computer shop in front of my dormitory.

While I was waiting for my other co-officers, I watched some video clips at youtube just to save myself from boredom. Then I thought of opening some video clips of Ninoy Aquino because his son Noynoy was the talk of the town that day. I really used to watch some of his videos since he is one of my favorite public speakers. (For clarification: I did not vote for Pres. Noynoy but I really wish him and his administration well.)

Then here comes an old episode of 700 Club which appeared on the right side of the monitor. I double clicked it. To my surprise, it was the American host of the said show interviewing the late Senator. So I focused for a while.

As I listened to the conversation, I was blessed! Ninoy talked about his days in solitary confinement, his harsh experiences during the dictatorship of former Pres. Marcos, the heart dsease which led to a by-pass operation and his lonely moments away from his family. I was blessed not because he suffered, but because of what his sufferings did to his faith.

During his incarceration, he had a better understanding of who and what God is. At first, he knew God as a tradition among Filipinos. He only needed God during elections but easily forgot Him after a sweet victory. In short, God was nothing more than a theory to Ninoy rather than a belief.

The late oppositionist asked: "Is there really a God? If there was, how could this happen to me?" Later, as he reflected, he started to realize that there is a God. If there isn't, why would it all happen to Ninoy? Who will reward him after all the trials that he faced? From then on, he had a deeper understanding of God. He found peace while in jail and got revived by the Holy Spirit.

Before the episode ended, the host related Ninoy's anecdote to that of Job. God allowed Job to suffer so as to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of who God is. The Almighty made Job ask so that he could fnd the real answers. Most of all, our Father made Job realize the beauty of God's purpose. In every encounter, there is a revelation. In every trial, there is manifestation of God's love and vindication.

So what was God's revelation to him? I think it was the grant of responsibility to liberate the nation from a wicked ruler which led to his heroism. Now, it is Ninoy's legacy and his name will forever be in the history books. That is how good God is.