Sabongero El Mejicano

A devilish design pops under the recent verbal ejaculations of Jose Sulaiman's World Boxing Council. We see this from the publicized statement issued by the WBC as it concluded its annual convention in China last week, complaining that Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has not complied with WBC rules regarding payment of sanction fees. It further warned Manny that the WBC will strip him of his lightweight title if the problem is not resolved within 15 days. The public diatribe had an effect of accusing Manny for being dishonest in his dealings.

I find little comfort in saying this, but with that I suspect there was a Mexican effort to pad another layer of accusation over the one which Juan Manuel Marquez had initiated when he openly expressed doubts Manny ever beat him.

Although Sulaiman may have sounded apologetic in the succeeding statements he issued (part of the plot?), the point was that the damage to Manny has been done. Again I suspect the Mexicans might have studied the Filipino psyche very well, because what Sulaiman did was to hit Manny with feelings of shame, and shame is one of the most compelling values of Filipinos.

Sure—that the Pacman won over Marquez on points in their rematch was something which the judges ruled. It was beyond anyone else’s reach to control. Similarly, that Manny had obligations to pay would also be for his staff to track; the paperwork is not his to attend to. Both Marquez and Sulaiman know these; that they would make a public issue—and a heck of a fuss—about them is amazing. The Mexicans cannot beat the Pacman inside the ring. They probably think maybe they can smother him somewhere else.

And if beating Manny outside the ring is one strategy worth pushing, what better way to push it than having Sulaiman’s weight behind it?

And while we are in the business of shaming people, how about this baloney telling us that the Mexicans root for the Pacman more than they do for Oscar? Super Trainer Freddie Roach, Top Rank boss Bob Arum, Mexican hero Julio Cesar Chavez, among others, may genuinely feel that way, but I see a hand pulling some tricks to create a propaganda out of this. The latest item we heard was that some current Mexican champions have agreed to walk the Pacman to the ring when he meets Oscar on December 6.

It could be a subtle message to shame Oscar before the universe, put him into a ferocious rage and attack Manny like a wounded tiger (I guess nothing can hurt Oscar’s ego more than such a sight). In the Philippines, the sabongero (cockfight aficionado) does the same thing. Before releasing his gamecock inside the ring for a cockfight, he excites his gamecock to point where he gets so mad that he is ready to devour his opponent.

Perhaps this is how the Mexicans think Oscar dela Hoya would become when he meets Manny Pacquiao inside the ring. They want Oscar to devour Manny alive and take revenge for the collective humiliation they have been getting from the Filipino. Indeed this fight can be more than about money; it can be truly personal for both fighters.

But Manny will not run away from any challenge. The plan could backfire. It can make Oscar reckless. One mistake and the Golden Boy will be out. The “Dream Match” has the makings of a night that can put either fighter to dreamland.

------------------------