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Manny Pacquiao earned praise as the “greatest fighter that ever lived” after his sensational second round TKO win over Britain’s Ricky Hatton. Video courtesy of Solar Sports.
Marjorie Gorospe
INQUIRER.net
What was it like watching Manny Pacquiao battle Ricky Hatton?
I was not in Las Vegas to witness the fight. We watched it via a live feed at the Mag.net Cafe located at the Bonifacio High Street. Thanks to Nike Philippines we saw the bout minus the barrage of advertisements seen on free TV. Watching it via a live feed was like watching it live. Fellow Filipinos cheered with every punch Pacquiao landed on the Briton. As expected, some people booed when Hatton entered the ring. I felt that same tension and anxiety before the fight started.
During the pre-fight, we managed to talk to a British fan. He declared, “If Manny gets close to Hatton, he’ll be dead.” But as it turned out, the fight was too short. Still, Pacquiao was able to unleash 73 punches (Hatton had 18 landed). As witnessed by millions of viewers worldwide, Hatton got knocked out eventually in the last 10 seconds of the second round.
Later, we saw the British fan whom we talked to earlier. His tone was now different. We approached him again to ask for his reaction. He jokingly declared, “He’s the best! Manny for president.”
For a few hours leading to the fight, the country was in a standstill. We almost forgot that just a few days ago, we’ve been hit hard by news of the swine flu, now aptly called A (H1N1).
As we recalled the day that has passed–and the reaction of those who watched the fight via live feed, it was clear that no matter where you are–in Las Vegas or in a roomful of fans watching the fight via satellite or cable–we all reacted the same way when we saw Pacquiao land that strong left hook to the jaw of Hatton. In fact, I almost broke a plate while filming the reaction of the Pacquiao fans at Mag.net cafe.
It was a quick fight that stunned everyone.
The fight ended early as Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao knocks out Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton twice in the first round, and later permanently in the second round. British fans were left stunned, including the parents of the Briton fighter who flew all the way from Manchester to watch the fight, when Hatton kisses the floor.
We saw the fight at the Mag.net cafe in High Street in Fort Bonifacio, courtesy of Nike Philippines. A large screen was set up and everyone were seated in little, comfortable plastic chairs. Iced tea was served and some pasta. But since we were too excited to see the fight, we hurriedly finished our meal and got ready to watch and live blog the event. (Good thing there was wi-fi).
The crowd started trickling in at around 10 a.m. Some people clapped as Pacquiao was introduced. But as the round began, every punch that landed on Hatton came with grunts from the crowd, followed by loud cheers. People stood and cheered, some for Hatton, mostly for Pacquiao.
Then came the right hook that sent Hatton to the floor. He was wobbly. He was obviously stunned. Meanwhile, the crowd at Mag.net was getting louder. Everybody stood as the Briton fighter went down twice in the first round.
Second round came. It was a short battle. Amid the flurry of punches, Pacquiao was able to sneak in a powerful left hook to the jaw of Hatton that floored him permanently. That was the end of the fight. The parents of Hatton were stunned. The Filipino crowd went ecstatic, including those watching from Mag.net in High Street.
DID you know that Brian Viloria has been using Twitter to update fans and friends about his upcoming and concluded fight?
Well, as of this writing, Viloria just sent a short message to all his Twitter followers:
AND THE NEW..!!! I DID IT TWEEPS!!!!
Followed by:
“Need to get showered up and let the celebration begin!”
Viloria is celebrating his victory over Solis whom he floored at the 11th round. Check out the breaking story here.
An excerpt:
(UPDATE) After struggling in the first round, Filipino-Hawaiian boxer Brian Viloria emerged as champ, as he knocked out Ulises Solis in the 11th round in the IBF light flyweight championship here at the Araneta Coliseum.
Viloria who is also known as the “Hawaiian Punch” gave Solis a cut at the 5th round.
Nonito Donaire also won by TKO in the 4th round in his fight with Raul “Cobra” Martinez.
The Company of Ateneo Dancers (CAD) won in the recent Nike Women Dance Battle held this weekend.
Excerpt:
MAKATI CITY, Philippines–Clad in goddess-inspired outfits, the Company of Ateneo Dancers (CAD) grooved their way to the top and took home the grand prize in the Nike Women Dance Battle.
“We’re really avant-garde to be different and unique,” said Steff Someda, a BS Biology student and team captain of CAD, in an interview during the contest held at A. Venue Saturday.
“We put a lot of energy, belief, faith in ourselves and faith in God,” added Jesse Castillo, AB Arts Management student and co-dance head of CAD.
Read the rest of the report here.
Tessa Salazar of the Philippine Daily Inquirer files this report.
Excerpt:
Philippine racing legend Pocholo Ramirez died at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday after a long battle with cancer.
He was 76.
Ramirez earned driver of the year awards six times. In 2000, he was the Blaze Super Saloon Champion at the age of 68.
Even after being diagnosed with urinary bladder cancer two and a half years ago, he still competed in local races. Up until he was 75, Ramirez would still be seen behind the wheel competing with racers less than half his age.
Some fans of the racing legend have expressed their condolences.
Agence France-Presse
SAN ANTONIO–Kobe Bryant scored 23 points as the Los Angeles Lakers clinched a playoff spot with a 102-95 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
The Lakers also wrapped up the Pacific Division in the final rematch this season of the 2008 Western Conference finals.
Tony Parker and Michael Finley led San Antonio with 25 points apiece.
MANILA, Philippines—Former national women’s futsal team IROK Philippines is striking it out on their own as they join an international tournament in New Zealand this year.
Head coach Emmanuel Batungbacal said the team is currently raising funds to compete again at the Vikings Futsal Cup this August.
The team competed in last year’s tournament but placed at the bottom. They were able to beat host country New Zealand but lost closing games to stronger teams in Australia.
“But we’re bringing in lots of experience and some new players with us this time,” Batungbacal told INQUIRER.net via a telephone interview.
By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net
MANDALUYONG CITY – For Dave Batista, more known for his moniker Batista, wrestling isn’t all about brawny alpha males breaking each other’s backs.
Currently signed up with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Batista was quick to admit to the entertainment aspect of professional wrestling.
“It’s not really so much about the moves you do or stunts you perform. We’re telling stories in the ring – who’s the good guy and who’s the bad guy,” the four-time world heavyweight champion told INQUIRER.net in an interview.
“We try to make it as dramatic as possible because that’s what draws the crowd in and makes them emotionally invested in a wrestling match,” he continued.
Watch this video interview:
Agence France-Presse
CLOVIS–Police on Wednesday said they have recovered a one-of-a-kind bicycle swiped from Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong at a northern California racing venue.
A person brought the purloined Trek training bicycle to a police station in the city of Sacramento, where it was stolen during the weekend.
The person’s name was not released by police, who said the investigation of the theft is ongoing. Police said they returned the bicycle to Armstrong, who competed Wednesday in the Tour of California.
The seven-time Tour de France champion had used the bicycle Saturday at a rain-pelted, wind-pounded opening of the 750-mile race that continues through the week.
Armstrong’s bicycle was one of several stolen from an Astana team truck parked behind a hotel in Sacramento. A lock on the truck was clipped to get inside, according to police.
