Source: Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines - Eight-division world champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is confident that he was the rightful winner of his last fight against rival Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, even if some boxing analysts continue to question the result of the fight.
Pacquiao defeated Marquez via a controversial majority decision, but his performance lacked the same explosiveness that he displayed in his previous fights.
In a brief press conference after he arrived in Manila, Pacquiao told his critics: "Sa mga ibang tao na naniniwala na hindi tama ang desisyon, magpakatotoo ka. Maging Pilipino ka."
Pacquiao said he knew he had won the fight even before the bell sounded in the 12th round.
"Ang paniniwala ko, bago pa natapos ang 12 rounds ay lamang ako at panalo ako," he said, but added that he was not completely satisfied with his performance inside the ring.
"Yung ine-expect ng mga tao at ine-expect ko rin na maibigay ko sa mga tao, hindi nangyaring ganoon," he said.
The boxer said that his fans have gotten used to seeing him dominate his opponents. Before his tough battle against Marquez, Pacquiao rose to the top of the boxing world by beating up and knocking out fighters who were naturally bigger than him
Pacquiao had knockout victories over Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, as well as decision victories over Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley.
He was a heavy favorite against Marquez, as many felt that the Mexican boxer will not be able to deal with the additional weight and that Pacquiao had improved greatly since the two boxers last met in 2008.
'It's my fault'
"Kasalanan ko rin ang lahat ng pangyayari. Hindi ko masisising may doubts sa pagkapanalo ko, dahil sinanay ko kasi sila na palagi akong panalo ng knockout, o binubugbog ko ang kalaban ko," Pacquiao said.
"Baka naman payagan n'yo ako na pwedeng manalo kahit na close fight. Hindi ba ako pwedeng manalo ng close fight?" he said. "Kailangan ba ang panalo ni Manny Pacquiao laging one-sided fight?"
Pacquiao said that he suffered from foot cramps during the bout, which hampered his performance.
"'Yung kaliwang paa ko, tumigas ng third round, pinapisil ko kay Buboy (Fernandez) nung pang-apat na round dahil halos hindi ko maigalaw," he said, adding that the pain subsided in the last five rounds of the fight.
His lackluster showing in the bout cost him his place as the pound-for-pound king in the ratings of ESPN, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo! Sports, with undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. taking his place at the top spot.
"Hindi ko alam kung saan lumabas yan," Pacquiao said of the pound-for-pound ratings. "Sa ibang mga tao lang siguro na hindi dugong Pinoy ang nag-iisip ng ganyan."
Pacquiao remains number 1 in THE RING magazine's pound-for-pound ratings.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
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