It was crystal-clear, humbling and decisive.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. simply put on a boxing clinic over 12 rounds and showed to all and sundry that you don’t really have to fire a cannon to stop a fireball like Manny Pacquiao.
Taking most of the rounds (my scorecard showed he had taken at least nine) by simply counterpunching, evading and throwing Pacquiao off timing, Mayweather typified what the sweet science is all about: The point of the game is not to get hit and strike when there’s an opportunity to do so.
Pacquiao was unable to cut down the five-inch reach advantage of Mayweather and saw nothing but elbows, arms and deflected punches going back his way. He had some shining moments like in the fourth, sixth and seventh rounds but they were not enough to turn the tide.
Mayweather unbelievers and die-hard Pacquiao loyalists could not believe their eyes as they huddled in theaters, bars and even in households that held reunions with family and friends.
Why couldn’t Pacquiao score decisively? Why couldn’t he land a big punch that would rock the loquacious, undefeated American?
There was just too much defense, without even too much of the shoulder roll. Mayweather was too slippery and elusive, athletic even for a man supposed to be at the advanced sports age of 38.
We didn’t see a glimpse of Mommy Dionisia on the telecast this time around but we surely needed her prayers, especially after the first six rounds when Pacquiao could not make any real headway. We needed a thunderous flurry or even just one KO punch from Pacquiao to turn it around.
But no, it never happened. Mayweather was simply in control.
So where do we go from here after this biggest fight has become reality and escaped from our wish list? I have doubts about a rematch because Mayweather may simply shrug those shoulders and say, “Is that all he’s got?”
Pacquiao will be aching for one because, as he said in the postfight chat, Mayweather didn’t even hurt him or land anything definitive.
All I know is that money can talk very loudly and even rouse a sleeping giant. See how this fight finally happened.
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