On religion and loss

Source: http://realcombatmedia.com

It is very human to wonder how things have happened. And so human too to explain things in our own ways and lens. When all explanations seem to escape our imagination, we tend to seek explanations from the One above through religion.

One of the things that would keep boxing fans especially Filipinos wondering for a long, long time is this: Why did Manny Pacquaio lose by knockout?

For boxing fans, Manny Pacquaio needs no introduction. For others, here are some general information. He is the only one who held boxing champion's belt  in 8-weight categories and widely considered as the "People's Champ." He was on top for some time in pound-for pound list of elite boxers. He was declared by one of the prestigious boxing councils as the "Fighter of the Decade (2001-2010)."

In the Philippines, Pacquaio is a politician, a Congressman at that who represents Sarangani Province in Mindanao  to the Philippine Congress. He too is a businessman. He is a singer and host to a TV game show. He is active in his Church. When he fights, almost the whole country is in standstill watching him because he is a well-loved boxer who becomes an icon to many Filipinos.

Then, in a fight that people expected Pacquaio to win convincingly and decisively, he was knocked out by a right hand from his nemesis, Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico. The fight was their fourth since 2004. The way the fight ended was stunning (in my view; well I did not really see the punch, and so Pacquaio).

Why did it happen?

From the two boxers: Marquez said that it was his technique, skills, and preparation for the fight that did it. Pacquaio attributed his knockout loss to his overconfidence and eagerness to finish Marquez off who was apparently bloodied and hurt. Pacquaio was winning in the judges' scorecard before that devastating one punch.

Many boxing analysts agreed with both assessments.

But as we often say, mothers know best. Pacquaio's mother, Dionisia, was interviewed, and she associated the loss to his son's change of religion. As a devout Catholic, Dionisia raised her son as a Catholic. In Pacquaio's previous fights, he would be normally seen wearing a rosary laced around his neck. This time (and in Bradley's fight where he lost too in a controversial decision), he was not seen wearing a rosary.

The interview was beamed in a national television in the Philippines. Many Filipinos, to a certain extent, gave credence to this reason.

Why did Pacquaio lose?

Again, it is very human to wonder and give explanation.

And if we are unsatisfied with the explanations given, we turn to the One who knows it all. But others still wonder and give their own explanations. Others say, it's One's will. Accepting, still we wonder. How long will we wonder? Well, a fifth fight may end it.

Nonito Donaire, The Flash, and His Ticket to the Top - His Left Hook

I knew that the fight would be worth the no-sleep Saturday weekend. For such a big fight in boxing, I as a boxing fan would let the match pass without watching it.

Nonito, "The Flash," Donaire, 28, finally would have a very worthy and notable opponent in front of him inside the ring. Fernando Montiel, 31, was the recognized world champion by World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO). The two fighters are both in the elite pound-for-pound list, aiming to get higher in the top list. That showed how high the expectation, excitement and respect for this match.

Both fighters predicted a knockout. Donaire said it would come within six rounds. Montiel said that it would be within 10 rounds. And so the bell rang to see who said it right.

In the first round, Donaire threw more telling shots to the body and head of Montiel. His dreaded left hook landed twice in separate occasions in the first round. Donaire won the round.

In the second round, Donaire tagged Montiel with a right straight punch. Then, Montiel started to move forward and be agreesive. Montiel landed some decent shots.

And then, Montiel landed a right hook. Donaire countered perfectly with the left hook. With that left hook right on the face, Montiel came down with all his weight on the canvass. His legs were kicking. After falling temporarily in his effort to get up, he was finally able to get up to beat the 10-second count. Then, referee let the fight continue. Donaire rushed to Montiel and landed two more shots to visibly hurt Montiel. That was it. The referee stopped the fight at 2:35 of the second round.

It was the same left hook that erased the "0" in the unblemished record of Vic Darchinyan in 2007. That left hook made that 2007 upset the "Knockout of the Year." This left hook can give Donaire another "Knockout of the Year" considering whom he had knocked out, a future Hall of Famer in boxing.

Donaire improved his record to 26-1, with 18 knockouts. With the win, Donaire definitely is on top 3 of the pound-for-pound list behind the great Manny Pacquaio.