Boxing Loss

I just watched a replay of the Dela Hoya-Sturm middleweight championship match via Solar Sports. Sturm played a very scientific boxing; his guard always up and accurate jabs almost landing everytime. Honestly, at the end of the 12th round I thought he won (I have never read about the result of this bout prior to this replay). However, he was no match to Dela Hoya's deadly combination and aggressiveness.

It's also unfortunate that two Filipino boxers suffered the same fate albeit worse. Former world champion Luisito Espinosa, fighting to feed his family, suffered a third round knockout to a younger Cristobal Cruz. At 37, he ought to retire; his former collegues thought so too.

Sharing the same fate is Manny's younger brother Bobby Pacquiao. The same Thai boxer, who Manny floored in the first round during one of his title defenses, took revenge on the younger Pacquiao and stopped the fight in the ninth round with solid body punches. It didn't help that Manny called his brother the day before the bout and gave instructions on his younger brother. Well, it's probably the boxer's conditioning; if he only had his brother's dedication to training, together with the lightning reflexes and punching power, he might as well be the next Pacquiao superstar. Well, probably next time. Last I've read, the Thai boxer is seeking to have a rematch with the older Pacquiao, the reigning Ring Magazine People's Champion. Too bad for him though, he needs to fall in line behind Barrera, JMM, and most probably Morales after the March 19 bout.

-Allan