Pacquiao Drama

Bleacher Talk
April 14, 2007

(Note: This was published in The Freeman on April 14, 2007)

Pacquiao Drama

What else is there to mention about the Pacquiao-Solis fight today? With virtually all boxing websites, local TV, and the print media giving the Pacman so much media space, one might say that we’re getting an overdose of the Pacman. But one thing that we’d like to discuss is how the Pacquiao story has now taken a soap opera type of twist, characteristic of the biggest names in showbiz or the entertainment world.

For starters, it has now been confirmed that Pacquiao is already among the biggest names of the boxing world. Although he’s fighting a Jorge Solis who is not at the level of an Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera or a Juan Manuel Marquez, the Pacman is getting so much attention from the international boxing media. From where we sit, it looks like he’s getting so much more media coverage for this fight compared to his previous clashes with Morales and Barrera. By “so much,” we’re referring more to the attention and media values generated even if Solis isn’t well-known. As a result of all this, Solis is now getting so much attention as if he were at the same level as the “Big 3.”

You probably know everything there is to know about the fight. Soap opera drama? I’m sure you know that although Solis is undefeated, he’s still a heavy underdog against the Pacman. You also know that while Pacquiao and Solis are fighting in the main event, they’re not even fighting for a real world championship since the WBC super featherweight title belongs to Juan Manuel Marquez. You were also most likely spun around by all those stories about how Pacquiao was having problems in his training program and how he reported to the Wild Card Gym late after all the commitments that he had to do fulfill at home in Gen San. But the drama takes a sudden twist when he’s in such great shape all of a sudden as soon as he steps off the plane in LA.

A second highlight that will be a huge but underlying “twist” to this drama will be the current rivalry between Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions (TR) and Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions (GBP). And my million dollar question is: What will Oscar de la Hoya be doing when Pacquiao and Solis climb on top of the ring? Will he watch the fight? Or will he stick to his training program schedule that includes the need to go to bed early everyday? And who will Oscar root for? While I’m certain that de la Hoya is a Pacquiao fan, I’m also sure he won’t be able to stand the sight of Arum walking around the ring and raising the hand of Pacquiao. But that’s assuming that de la Hoya watches the fight.

And that’s not it. Another twist is Freddie Roach being in Pacquiao’s corner. Technically, there’s really nothing with it. After all, hasn’t Roach been Pacquiao’s trainer every since the Pacman invaded the U.S. ? The irony of it all is that while Roach can be considered as Pacquiao’s trainer, he’s also now the lead trainer of Oscar de la Hoya, the very same guy who Pacquiao initially chose to fight for, only to turn around and go with Arum. Delicadeza? Conflict of interest? Business is business and I don’t think Roach is going to drop Pacquiao just like that.

The irony is that Pacquiao’s training camp was conducted with Roach elsewhere. De la Hoya’s unique influence (and money) has been able to pull Roach out of the Wild Card Gym to train him in Puerto Rico , and that’s something I don’t think Pacquiao can do in the near future. Still fresh in our memory is how Brian Viloria (who is also fighting today), used to be trained by Roach. But when Roach got busy with Pacquiao and other boxers, Viloria saw the need to tie up with another trainer. Viloria now claims he’s a better fighter and is confident with his chances against Edgar Sosa. The drama? If de la Hoya decides to fight again after the Mayweather fight, will Roach still be his lead trainer, and will this have any effect on Pacquiao’s preparations for his future fights? Will he have time for Pacquiao?

And how can we all forget about Pacquiao’s dreams of becoming a Congressman? I can already see the drama unfolding. Fresh from a win over Solis, Pacquiao flies straight to GenSan to campaign for the May 14 elections. From one battlefield to another Pacquiao will transfer. While he’s sure to beat up Solis black and blue, his chances of a lopsided win in the elections is not as high as his 10-1 betting odds over Solis. But there’s nothing better than this made-for-TV story. Pacquiao wins on top of the ring and also on May 14. While I don’t think he should be running for public office, nothing is going to stop him from doing what he really wants to do. My concern here is that if he wins, he’s going to live the life of a politician, something that isn’t exactly tailor-fit for a pro boxer.

But then again I guess that’s another drama set to unfold. Pacquiao just wouldn’t be Pacquiao without all the drama.