BENEATH & BEYOND

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BY SONIA D. DAQUILA
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The game of death

SHORN of the glory of a champion, our hero, Manny Pacquiao was left bloodied. More than physical hurt, he suffered moral and psychological defeat.

At the start of the first two rounds, Manny was confident, seemingly taking his sweet time, confident that Jeff Horn was an easy opponent. But Horn is younger, stronger and taller. He is aggressive and raring to be an international champion. Certainly, he wrested that belt from Manny.

I don’t enjoy so much boxing, but every time Manny climbs up the ring, I wish to see a Filipino boxer overcome other races. The drivers park their vehicles, the workers stop momentarily, criminal rate decreases as everyone watches the Filipinos’ pride match with other races. Suddenly, few people are seen on the streets.

In the Manny versus Horn fight lately, I saw a group of spectators watch the fight on TV, shouting in glee every time Pacquiao’s punches connected with Horn. I wondered why there were few guys who were shouting louder, even dancing when Pacquiao was overpowered by Horn. I learned later that they betted a big amount on Horn. Why not? Filipinos gamble even on spiders’ fight. So thrilled with the fight, there were those who had heart attack and died.
In the conclusion of the Manny versus Horn fight, most of those who watched the game complained the dirty tactics adopted by Horn, and expectedly, majority concluded, we were cheated.

Boxing, just like other sports such as basketball or volleyball, requires sharpness of perception and instant appropriate decision in any given situation. Obviously, Horn applied a technique which combined wrestling, hugging, holding the gloved hand and head butting. Horn disrupted Manny’s own strategies and the younger boxer proved to be more cunning.
Horn is a winner and as to whatever strategies were employed is no longer a question. In a deadly game, like boxing, what matters is winning. Who cares if Pacquiao dies inside the ring? Who cares if he will be paralyzed or useless after the match? In gambling, what matters is winning.

Somehow, millions of dollars are added to the bank accounts of Pacquiao, one of the richest senators, whether he wins or loses in every match. Pride and more money may challenge the senator, but isn’t it better to say goodbye to boxing and to concentrate on preaching to save souls, and to nurture that ambition to be president of the Philippines?
The next fight can be reclaiming what Manny just lost. It can be victorious, but it can also be a devastating defeat. Boxing is a game of death. (delsocorrodaquila@gmail.com/PN)
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