No hero’s welcome this time

THIS time there was absolutely no fanfare when Manny returned home from a fight, Manny himself chose to dispense with the usual hero’s welcome, explaining that he had to head straight to Sarangani as early as he can because he had to help the flood victims of his province.

Perhaps Manny just looked for an excuse. Having lost to Timothy Bradley, perhaps he felt that a hero’s welcome was inappropriate.

Last Friday, Manny  went to the Quiapo Church for his customary thanksgiving mass. He was delighted to find the place packed with people waiting to see him and welcome him  home.

Despite his controversial loss by split decision to Timothy Bradley last Sunday Manila time,  Manny believes there are still so many things to be thankful for.

Manny participated in the offertory portion of the mass and flashed the  peace sign with his fingers to all present.

Towards noon he went home to rest. He appeared for the taping  of his GMA show “Manny Many Prizes” the following day, Saturday.

* * *

I’m puzzled. Why should Top Rank Bob Arum question the competence of the judges who were selected for the Pacquiao-Bradley fight, the selection process itself, the Nevada  Athletic  commission, etc…, when he is also the promoter of Bradley?

Actually it’s a conflict of interest.

I would compare the situation to him being the father with two sons fighting each other—Pacquiao versus Bradley.

It’s a win-win situation for Arum so it doesn’t really matter who wins or who loses as long as the green bucks pour in.

Arum even quoted Bradley after the fight before he was pronounced the new champion.

“I did my best, I just couldn’t beat this guy (Pacquiao),” Arum quoted Bradley as saying.

But while Bradley admitted that he had said that he did his best, he  denied saying that he couldn’t beat Pacquiao.

“Why would I say anything like that?” Bradley said.

* * *

Although WBO chief Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel has announced that a championship committee would be reviewing the tape of last Sunday’s fight with the backing of United States Sen.  Harry Reid, a reversal of decision is unlikely, according to boxing experts.

“The WBO’s championship committee will review Tim Bradley’s  shocking and highly controversial victory last Sunday,” he said.

“The committee will meet very soon and evaluate  the video of the fight, with the help of  five recognized, reputable judges. Based on what emerges, the  committee will make a recommendation to the WBO. ”

Valcarcel was quick to point out, however, that  he’s “doubting the capacity of the judges.”

Reid, on the other hand said that the erroneous decision of the judges was not the result of corruption but incompetence.

He said he would ask the Nevada Athletic Commission for a full and complete inquiry.