Remember This Story

It was, certainly, a head kick heard around the world.  Holly Holm knocked out erstwhile unbeaten Ronda Rousey to win the UFC World Women's Bantamweight Championship.  As referee Herb Dean stopped the fight, the world reacted with shock, disbelief, inspiration and "I told you so's," but here's the thing.

It's not a story of the perils of living a rockstar life.  Yes, Rousey had movie and commercial shoots, TV guestings and events, but she's always been a strong woman who could multi-task. there was never an occasion where she didn't train enough.  People love to bring out this story to any fighting champion with crossover personality, but there was never an occasion where she didn't train enough.  Rousey is a training junkie. She made weight and didn't look dehydrated.

It's not a story of hubris or good vs evil either.  Yes, Rousey had the scowl, the fighting words, the weigh in snafu and the refusal to touch gloves while Holm was gracious and mostly silent. But to infer that one protagonist is good while the other is bad makes no real observation other than the commenter is a casual fight fan.  Fights are fought outside the ring as much as in it and fighters build and cultivate the personas that help them win.  Holm projects the "I'm silent but I am a killer" vibe; Rousey projects the "I will get on you and destroy you" vibe.  Neither lady is as simple as just the persona they project.

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Fighting the Good Fight

     The only goal a good documentary should have is to shine the light of truth on an otherwise hidden or unknown subject.  Whether it's to expose a government's ineptness to handle a terrorist attack or the terrifying effects of eating fast food everyday, documentaries need to surprise and move people and their emotions with an unadulterated dose of the truth.  The problem that faced the directors, Oscar winner Leon Gast (When We Were Kings) and Filipino american Ryan Moore, was that their only subject, Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, is one of the world's most recognized faces.  Pacquiao's day to day routine and life story have been well documented, too well documented , in fact, that showing a new side, a new truth is a herculean task.

     Predictably, the documentary tracks Pacquiao's rags to riches story, from a small fishing village in General Santos to the small city in Saranggani and then later the streets of Malabon.  It also predictably tracks Pacquiao's amazing (and still ongoing) boxing career, from his early Philippine and Asian wins to his startling rise to greatness on the world stage.  But to say that the documentary is a predictable reel with the hopes of bolstering Pacquiao's future political career would be just too lazy.  The documentary provides a hidden, unexpected gem that only real silence will allow.

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Uneducated

     I was supposed to write about Pacquaio's immense ability to forgive and how maybe he should make an exception with Antonio Margarito's cheating with hand wraps.  I hesitated because I wasn't sure if he should or not, but one thing I am sure of is that Pacman should not grace Floyd Mayweather Jr. with his legendary forgiving nature.


     In the now infamous internet tirade, Mayweather sullied up the world wide web with what Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole called, "a hateful, racist, vitriolic," rant, attacking Pacquiao.  Among his many points of attack, Mayweather called Pacman, "a yellow chump" and a "midget." He also talked about making Pacquiao "make him a sushi roll" and "cook him some rice."  Then, as if those weren't enough, Mayweather talked about Pacman never saying no to money and reiterated his belief that the FIlipino icon takes illegal steroids.  


     What is truly infuriating, however, is his supposed "apology."  Days after destroying whatever respect he may have earned over the years, Mayweather comes out to "apologize to everybody," claiming that he doesn't have, "a racist bone" in his body. He adds that he was "just having fun."

     That is how a world class boxer shoots himself and his legacy.  Mayweather has never been a popular figure here in the Philippines, with many believing he has continually ducked the opportunity to fight Pacquiao, but real boxing fans (even the ones residing here) have always respected his blinding quickness, his amazing boxing defense and his unbeaten record.  Not now though. 

     What kind of idiocy allows such garbage be spewed from one's mouth? Mayweather's words do nothing for his already struggling sport, one which has been incredibly good to him. His words are certainly unwelcome, in a time when hate still reigns in this world and racial divides have not been fully crossed.  His words are woefully inappropriate, in a time when everyone, even young children, could easily access the hateful rant of their boxing hero.  

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Sports' Best Monickers

      A lot of sports figures have become household names throughout the world.  No doubt, their unique and astounding skills have a lot to do with their enviable fame, but sometimes, their monickers or nicknames help tremendously too.  Here are some of my favorite sports monickers, names that are not only effective for name recall, but also quite fun too.

UFC/MMA - While names like "The Natural", "Rush" and "The Spider" dominate the win column and the, "Who is the greatest?" debate, my all time favorite monicker still belongs to Ultimate Fighter Alum Keith Jardine.  The bald mixed martial artist who defeated big names like Brandon Vera and Chuck Lidell is now called the "Dean of Mean."  Imagine that.  "The Dean of Mean" Keith Jardine.  What's cooler than that?

Runner ups - Huntington Beach Bad Boy, The Irish Hand Grenade, The World's Most Dangerous Man

Boxing - "Pacman" Pacquiao and "Money" Mayweather are certainly atop the pound for pound rankings, but in terms of monickers?  In my mind, nobody tops rising Filipino boxing star Donnie Nietes.  The boxer will soon be fighting at the Araneta Coliseum is known simply as, "Ahas."  Yeah, many boxers have been called reptiles before, but the name sounds so much cooler in Filipino.  Besides, Ahas actually brings a live one wrapped around him as he enters the ring.

Runner ups - Hands of Stone, El Terrible

NBA - Many NBA players simply use their initials or a few syllables of their name as their monickers, but some players have some great monickers as well.  Tops on that list would have to be Pete Maravich's.  One of the greatest players to ever play, this point guard revolutionized basketball, dribbling and passing, in particular.  Along with his trademark loose gray socks, is his monicker, "Pistol." Now that's a name.

Runner ups - Magic, Glyde, Mailman

PBA - In the PBA, dozens of players have monickers, thanks to our highly-imaginative commentators.  Of course, with a huge selection, there still has to be a clear winner.  For me, the coolest would still have to be Ricardo Brown's.  The original Fil-Am guard, could play both guard positions and most importantly could shoot from everywhere on the court.  He moved so well on the court that it was only fitting that he be called, "The Quick Brown Fox."  Yeah, it's a mouthful, but it's way cool, huh?

Runner ups - Captain Marbel, The Ninja, Skywalker, Robocop

WWE - Of course, I would have to end the article on wrestling.  Sports entertainment would never be the same with the monickers.  In fact, it would be reduced to half with them.  While most monickers are creative, some are just plain better.  Number one on my list would be "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.  I mean how else could you explain his meteoric rise into stardom with his limited physical skills? The Texas Rattlesnake certainly owes a lot to his estranged wife, wh is credited for helping him come up with his enduring monicker.

Runner ups - Demon of Death Valley, Heartbreak Kid, Nature Boy  

     Almost everyone loves monickers, but I'm pretty sure everyone will have their own favorites.  So what are your favorites?  Write in your comments or send me an email at plated_thrills@yahoo.com  

New Year's Resolutions For Sports

     Everyone makes new year's resolutions lists  or wish lists during the new year, and those lists are usually left undone or unrealized.  In any case, making a list for sports is not just wishful thinking, but also great fun as well.  So here are my new year's resolutions if I were these prominent sports figures.  

Roger Federer (Tennis) - To show more emotion in matches and finding a way to defeat Rafael Nadal.

Jose "Peping" Cojuangco (POC)  - To not meddle in sports anymore and just retire NOW.

Stephon Marbury (NBA) - To quit whining and cooperate with a buyout that helps the New York Knicks move on.

Baron Davis (NBA) - To get in better shape and start working harder to help the Clippers.

Jeff Hardy (WWE) - To stay out of trouble and maintain the status of being the WWE's most popular superstar.

Manny Pacquiao (Boxing) - To concentrate on defeating Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather this year.

Brock Lesnar (UFC) - To learn submission defense in preparation for either Nogueira or Mir.

Chot Reyes (PBA) - To give Ren Ren Ritualo more playing time.

Chris Tiu - To play more basketball, either in the national team or the PBA, and do less TV.

Steve Hontiveros (POC) - To either grow a pair and actually work for the betterment of sports or retire permanently for the betterment of sports.

John "Bradshaw" Layfield (WWE) - To get in better shape because flab doesn't invoke fear or hatred.

Brandon Vera (UFC) - To bring back the fire in the heart and the firepower in the fists and knees lest he fade into obscurity.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (Boxing) - To put up or shut up regarding Manny Pacquiao.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. (Boxing) - To just plain shut up.

Marlou Aquino (PBA) - To actually earn my paycheck.

Kenneth Duremdes (PBA) - To give up plans for playig and just concentrate on coaching.

     Like I mentioned earlier, resolution lists are usually left undone, but new year's day is also a great time to hope and wish, right?

  

Pacman Vs DLH?

Just as thousands clamor to see the, "Dream Fight," between WBC Lightweight Champ Manny Pacquiao

and sure-fire Hall of Famer Oscar de la Hoya, just as many people are talking about why "Pacman" shouldn't take on

this fight. Now, Manny has never been anything but his own man in deciding things, but here are my two cents worth

anyway.

As far as I can see, there are two things that Manny has to consider before agreeing to this fight. The first factor 

to consider is the physical aspect of the fight. Size, power and speed are the keys to every boxing match, especially

in a big-game match like this. The second factor to consider is the "reward" aspect of the fight. Boxing fights are brutal

and always dangerous, even if a big-time fighter is battling a tin can, so the rewards must always be worth it for the

protagonists.

The rumored catch weight for this fight would be at 147 lbs, a dozen pounds more than Manny's limit in his first fight 

at the lightweight division. Meanwhile, 147 is bit of, "the good ole days" for Oscar de la Hoya, as this was his first weight 

division of his pro boxing career. With this kind of a set up, how does the physical aspect of the fight look for the Philippines' 

People's Champion?

Manny will probably come to the weigh in a little over 135 (maybe even 140), while Oscar will work on coming in at 147.

If the rumored "same day weigh in" clause is accepted, then both fighters will not balloon too much by the time the fight

arrives. Oscar, however, will definitely have the size advantage of this fight.  The reach advantage for Oscar will also be

pronouned as he is around 5'10", a giant compared to Manny's 5'7". Manny will have to fight an uphill battle size-wise and

now, more than ever, he will need to step up his mobility to counteract this clear disadvantage.

Power-wise, though the issue is not as definite. While Manny is smaller, gym rumors have talked about how Manny's power is tough to handle, even for

bigger welterweights. Meanwhile, de la Hoya, towards the end of a stellar career, may not possess as much strength as before,

especially if he has to work on bringing his weight back down to 147 lbs. despite all of these proclamations, though, I have to 

concede that Manny is giving up the size and power factor. It may not be much, but it's there.

While most casual fans have loved Pacquiao's speed, his quickness and speed is what is most dangerous about him. There

are worries that if he moves up another weight division, he will lose his speed. With the proper training, his move up in weight to

the lightweight division didn't do much to slow him down. (Just asked the battered but game David Diaz) With proper training anew,

his move up probably won't take away too much speed. Besides, Manny will probably not try too hard to reach the 147 weight, so he 

won't be gaining too much weight. De la Hoya, on the other hand, will be trying hard to lose weight which has been known to take away

from a boxer's mobility. His age, too will become a factor as evidenced by his losses to Floyd Mayweather and Bernard Hopkins. When 

it comes to moving around the ring, Manny will be in his element, as he will again be the quicker fighter.

Meanwhile, the reward aspect has been the most prominent content of newspapers today. The rumored payday for Pacman is

rumored to be at least in the 10 to 15 million dollar range, easily the largest for any Filipino fighter in history. Another reward for taking

on this fight is that Pacquiao gets to fight a de la Hoya, a boxing legend. A win over de la Hoya, even an aging and retiring one, would

be a feather on his cap. That honor is probably as tasty as the money, but the question is, "Is it worth it?"

The answer is yes. Manny is in the prime of his career and in the best shape of his life. Moreover, he trains harder and takes on a much more serious

whenever he faces a great fighter. When Manny has trained hard, he is tough to fight, even if he is smaller, so he can overcome any of the physical

disadvantages he may face. Meanwhile, this fight doesn't seem to contain any risk to Pacquiao's marketability for the future. Even if he loses, he will

remain one of the game's biggest draws. After all, he's not fighting a lemon, but the "Golden Boy" himself. Furthermore, imagine all the press and media

mileage he is already getting and will be getting in the future.

Overall, this fight, while it has its dangers for him, is a win-win for Pacquiao. Take it Manny, and treat boxing fans to a once-in-a-lifetime fight. While

many hem and haw about whether you take this fight or not, they will be solidly behind you on fight night.