I was supposed to wake up at around 11 am to tune into the Pacquiao v Hatton match in SopCast. Unfortunately, I slept really late, or too early, at around 6:30 AM because my mum asked me to do some cards and flyer for our shop. I was carried away playing poker and I didn't realise the time. I had to finish what my mum asked me to do anyway then at around 6 AM, I went down to the kitchen to eat some breakfast, corned beef with sweet potatoes and some steamed rice. I left the laptop open and kept SopCast tuned in the channel where the fight is going to be streamed and muted it so I won't be bothered with the sound as I sleep. I folded the laptop and after doing so, I brushed my teeth and headed to sleep.
I was awaken so suddenly when I remember about the fight. I don't know how that happened but suddenly my eyes were open and adrenaline was rushing through my head. I went to my desk to flip open my laptop but it wasn't there! I asked my cousin who was in my room where the laptop is. Well, mum took it to look at the work I did and she shut it down after! I quickly turned it on, opened SopCast and tuned into the channel. It was the first round already, a minute has passed. And right then and there, Ricky was knocked to the canvas, twice! Too early in the game but Manny's just doing his job in the ring, like he always say. Definitely an intense fight, made my heart beat out of my chest. Manny cannot afford to be over confident in this fight. It was just starting, or about to end. Ricky was saved by the bell, really. As they waited for the bell to ring for the second round, they aired replays of the punch that fell Ricky to the canvas. As the referee started counting, he was definitely groggy, his eyes were empty. Second round, Ricky is clinching all the time and while he does that, he throws body punches to Manny which is really really unfair. When you're clinching you're not supposed to do that, we all know that. Manny got tired of Ricky clinching then punching, when he saw an opening, he throw a left punch right on Ricky's jaw, it's over. When you're falling down, you usually extend your hands to support your body as you fall down to the ground, Ricky didn't. He blacked out, as they say. He was unconscious right after Manny's fist kissed his face. The Britons stopped chanting, Manny's supporters shouted. Shouted like it's going to be prohibited to shout for the rest of their lives. 2 seconds in the clock, the referee signaled, knockout. Goosebumps, arms, scalp, back of the neck, everywhere! Manny has won, yet again.
It definitely made me proud as a his fellow countrymen. It made more proud to be a Filipino. I've always like the Britons, I will not lie. I like England, I like the Queen, the House of the Commons and the Lords, I like the English football and the Premiership, I was even rooting for Ricky Hatton at one point, singing Walking in a Hatton Wonderland. But then again, it's Filipino blood running through my veins. The same blood that's running on Manny. Manny who just felled Hatton to the ground. I realised, I just like the thought of Hatton but when it's Hatton against anyone of us, when it's the Philippines against some country else, it's definitely the Philippines that I'm still with. I may have stayed in England for a very long time, I do memorise Rule Britannia and God Save The Queen, but I'm definitely a Filipino, with all my heart and soul.
So I was happy, still am. I'm sure the rest of the Philippine archipelago's jumping for joy. Again, the roads were clean, definitely a crime free country, at least for that span of time that Manny's in the ring. I think one big factor is Manny's faith. He's very religious, before and right after he knocked Ricky, he would always do the sign of the cross. I never sympathised with the opponent but this time I really felt bad for Ricky as he struggled to regain consciousness. He was almost in comatose, some said. An article in The Sun even said he may quit after that brutal knockout. His Fiancee Jennifer Dooley, watching from ringside, screamed out when he took the punch. His worried family, devoted supporters, and millions of fight fans watching on TV looked on in horror as Hatton appeared to struggle to regain consciousness. He was on his back, on the canvas, for at least three minutes before he was helped onto a stool brought into the middle of the ring.
Hatton was well enough to walk unaided from the ring, back to his dressing room, albeit minus his IBO and Ring Magazine light-welterweight title belts. But there were no interviews with him as he was taken for a hospital check up. Pacquiao, who had been escorted into the ring by WWE wrestling champ Batista, launched wild celebrations among his devoted fans - who would now like to see him battle Floyd Mayweather Jr, who announced yesterday he was coming out of retirement. Both have been beaten Hatton and are arguably the best 'pound for pound' fighters in the world today. Asked whether he might want a shot at Floyd Mayweather Jr, Pacquiao said he would take on anyone. He said: "I can fight anybody, it will depend on my promoters. I'm just a fighter, doing my job, training and keeping at 100%." Pacquiao had plenty of reasons to smile after a first round in which he launched an all-out assault, twice sending the Englishmen to the canvas. Ricky had started brightly, landing his jab as promised but he was soon on the backfoot as Manny warmed to his task.
In a torrid final minute, a right hook caught Ricky on the chin and sent him to the deck. He took the majority of the count from referee Kenny Bayless on his knees before rising calmly to his feet but with 40 seconds left to the bell he was quickly in trouble again. A straight left sent Ricky onto the floor in front of his corner and this time he rose had the relief of hearing the bell. Ricky again began the second round well and appeared to rock Manny back on his heels early on but he would not have him in trouble again. Manny believes the Englishman did not know what had hit him as he unleashed devastating trademark left hook. Manny claimed Ricky had played into his strategy by trying to avoid his left hook, only to discover that he has a very strong right as well.
Well that's pretty much it. Manny made it again. I feel sorry for Ricky and for the 25,000 Britons who flew to Las Vegas this weekend to witness and support Ricky's historical match. I think they incurred so much loss. They paid travel fare, accommodations and everything else to see Ricky crash and burn in more or less 6 minutes. But I know, it's the support that matters. It's their presence that counts. If our country was more developed, I'm sure, Filipinos would flock to Manny's matches too. Unfortunately, our inflation rate has increased to 8% again, so that may never happen. HAHA Only those able politicians and 'can afford' people can go and see him live.
As they sing Ricky's chant;
There's only one Ricky Hatton,
One Ricky Hatton,
Walking along,
Singing this song,
Walking in a Hatton wonderland.
I say, we're walking in a Pacman wonderland. Congratulations, Pacman! You've again made us proud!
