Rumble at Mandalay

We diverted our normal Sunday routine today because our 4 month old niece, Icely, and her parents joined us in our 6:00 AM jogging/stroll at the Harbour Square, CCP Complex. The air from the sea was believed by the elders to help strengthen the lungs of babies.

After taking them home, my son Elhav and I proceeded to SM Mall of Asia Cinema 6 to watch the live satellite feed of Marquez and Barrera bout from Mandalay whose undercard featured a Filipino boxer, Gerry Penalosa against a Mexican champ. What I expected to be a slug match turned out to be boring with our kababayan losing by points.

But what I also thought to be a boring match between two Mexicans– Marquez and Barrera, turned to be a rumble worth blogging. This was a great but also controversial fight with Marquez winning by unanimous decision. Barrera knocked down Marquez on the 7th round but the referee failed to call it. Worse, Barrera was deducted a point or two for hitting Marquez while he was still on his knees. Furthermore, all judges scored a lopsided victory. I would have judged the fight as draw because of the gallant stand of both fighters. Both prepared well, both are properly conditioned, both are determined to win, both came to the fight with a plan. Both were bloodied and have swollen faces but good thing neither fighter would need a rhinoplasty expert

Now that everyone is talking about a rematch between the two, a new triology is on the making. I wonder where our very own Manny Pacquiao would be in the light of this development? During the post fight interview, there was no mention of Manny Pacquiao as the next opponent. It seems they are more interested with a rematch.

The effects of Pacquiao’s decision not to proceed with his contract with Golden Boy Promotions is slowly unfolding– He’s suppose to be the one slugging with Barrera and it will be more disastrous if he lose his fight to an unknown Solis next month because of politics and other distractions.

What are the lessons we can draw here that may affect ones career or business?

photo is a smaller version taken from La Jornada