Superstition or coincidence?

"The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency." Bill Gates

By Alex P. Vidal

LOS ANGELES, California -- I talked to businessman Adriano "Rey" Golingan, Manny Pacquiao's spiritual adviser two nights before the Fight of the Century on May 2 at the MGM Grand, while we were at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Gen. Santos City-based Golingan, a friend of former San Joaquin Iloilo mayor Daisy Sibya, said he asked the 36-year-old eight-time world titlist if there was still a chance for them to pray the rosary a night before the bout against Mayweather Jr. like what they have been doing in the past.
"Pacquiao answered me that when he prays he goes directly to the Lord now," Golingan narrated.
"So there's no chance anymore for us to be praying again for the intercession of Mama Mary?" he allegedly told the people's champion.
Pacquiao did not answer him, he said.
On several occasions in the past, I saw Golingan lead the praying of the rosary at least two nights before Pacquiao's battles against Juan Manuel Marquez (second and third matches), Oscar De La Hoya, David Diaz, Joshua Clottey and Shane Mosley, which he had all won.
In 2010 when Pacquiao incurred back-to-back losses to Timothy Bradley and Marquez (in their fourth meeting), Golingan said Pacquiao did not anymore pray the rosary.
They did not pray the rosary before the Mayweather Jr. fight, but Pacquiao read the Bible several times together with his pastor friends.
I'm not insinuating something. 
The story was narrated to me personally by Golingan himself two nights before Mayweather Jr. scored a lackluster 12-round unanimous decision against Pacquiao. 
Was it a superstition or a mere coincidence?

****

IF  the system can be adopted in the Philippines, we can save a lot of taxpayers' money and finance social and health programs and activities for the poor.
Automation and paperless transactions.
The United States government has eliminated paperworks in most of their agencies, a move that enabled them to save money and reduce their expenses.
We learned this when we arrived on April 27 and when we recently went to the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew our driver's license.
Like other foreign visitors who arrive via air or sea, there was no longer need for us to complete paper Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or Form I-94W Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record.
Our application or renewal of driver's license will not be accommodated if we don't bring the downloaded and printed copy of our I-94 Admission Number along with all of our birth date and legal presence documents.

PASSPORT

Several years ago, we only presented our passport and the forms we filled up in the DMW. 
Not anymore today. No copy of I-94 Admission Number, no identification card or driver's license.   
If we need to prove ourr legal-visitor status—to employers, schools/universities or government agencies—we can access our CBP arrival/departure record information online.
CBP now gathers travelers’ arrival/departure information automatically from their electronic travel records. 
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection explains that because advance information is only transmitted for air and sea travelers, CBP will still issue a paper form I-94 at land border ports of entry.
Meaning that if travelers need the information from their Form I-94 admission record to verify immigration status or employment authorization, the record number and other admission information they are encouraged to get their I-94 Number.

STAMPS

Upon arrival, a CBP officer stamps the travel document of each arriving non-immigrant traveler with the admission date, the class of admission, and the date that the traveler is admitted until. 
If a traveler would like a paper Form I-94, one can be requested during the inspection process. 
All requests will be accommodated in a secondary setting.
Upon exiting the U.S., travelers previously issued a paper Form I-94 should surrender it to the commercial carrier or to CBP upon departure. 
Otherwise, CBP will record the departure electronically via manifest information provided by the carrier or by CBP.
The automation has streamlined the entry process for travelers, facilitated security and reduced federal costs. CBP estimates that the automated process will save the agency $15.5 million a year.

Water crisis: Iloilo to California

"Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out." Anton Chekhov

By Alex P. Vidal

LOS ANGELES, California -- Has the water crisis become a global phenomenon?

Barely two weeks since the Iloilo City Council in the Philippines declared the city under a "state of imminent water crisis" due to projected prolonged drought, California's State Water Resources Control Board (SWCB) announced the approval of an emergency 25 percent cut in the cities' water use May 5.

The Council declaration in Iloilo City came as a response to the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (ICDRRMC), chaired by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, which made a resolution to allocate P3 million for possible water rationing.

It emphasized the need for funds "in preparation for long drought as brought by the prolonged dry spell has identified possible alternative water distribution mechanisms and alternative water sources."

This will enable metro villages to prepare their calamity funds now that many villages have reported that their wells have dried up, according to Mabilog.

PORTRAIT

California data released May 5 painted a stark portrait of the uphill struggle Californians face in achieving a mandated 25 percent reduction in urban water use, with one official joking grimly that dealing with severe drought was similar to grappling with the five stages of grief.

Reports said cumulative water savings since last summer totaled only 8.6%, according to the State Water Resources Control Board, far short of the historic reduction outlined in an April 1 executive order by Gov. Jerry Brown.

ICDRRMC said at the same time, most of the state's water suppliers issued 20 or fewer notices of water waste in March even though they have received thousands of complaints.

“It's a collective issue we all need to rise to. I keep thinking that we are in some stages of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,”Felicia Marcus, the water board chairwoman, told the Los Angeles Times, referring to the psychiatrist who wrote “On Death and Dying.”

“It's a collective issue we all need to rise to. I keep thinking that we are in some stages of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross,” said Felicia Marcus, the water board chairwoman, referring to the psychiatrist who wrote “On Death and Dying.”

DISCLOSURES

The paper reported that the disclosures came as board members May 5 night unanimously approved new conservation regulations set to take effect in time for summer, when outdoor water use traditionally accounts for 50 percent to 80 percent of residential consumption.

It quoted water board staff scientist Max Gomberg as saying that California residents and businesses used only 3.6% less water in March than they did during the same month in 2013, the baseline year for savings calculations.“We need to do more,” Gomberg told the LA Times. “Conserving now and over the summer is imperative.”

Despite the meager savings, some outside experts said it was still possible for the state to achieve the governor's goal in the coming months. 

Brown is seeking hefty fines for water wasters, and some local water agencies have been crafting tougher conservation plans in recent weeks.

In the Philippines, the P3 million fund can be mobilized once Iloilo City is declared under crisis, said Councilor Joshua Alim who blamed the Metro Iloilo Water Districs (MIWD)'s inability to supply sufficient water because of narrow pipes.

The fund can be used to buy water containers for water distribution in affected barangays and for fuel expenses in transporting the water.

***

EVEN in California, bettors who lost in the Fight of the Century continued to bemoan the lackluster performances of both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Many Hispanics claimed they were shocked when Pacquiao, who is now facing sanctions from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his failure to disclose a shoulder injury before the bout at the MGM Grand Arena, performed below expectations.

"What happened?" Mario Sosa, a customer in a T-Mobile store in the City of Lake Forrest, asked this writer. "I haven't tasted a free dinner from my wife, who offered to give me one if Pacquiao would win."

"I expected too much from Pacquiao because videos released on TV before the fight showed he was prepared and very strong while training. But during the fight, he hardly threw punches and it was the defensive fighter (Mayweather Jr.) who was the one initiating the fight."

Former San Miguel, Iloilo councilor Reynalod "King" Uy said he and his fellow bettors in the Filipino community lost heavily believing that Pacquiao would beat Maywearher Jr.  "even only on points."

"Some of our kababayans lost their salary equivalent to one month," he revealed. "Others lost $5,000. Many of them are still shocked."

Las Vegas Filipino community leader Raul Sabido, who collected all the bets from his California friends for Pacquiao, said he is now convinced that Mayweather Jr. is the better boxer pound-for-pound.

"Pacquiao should stop giving excuses. Let's move forward na," said Sabido, president of the Central Philippine University Alumni Association Las Vegas Chapter.

Mayweather shows why boxing is called 'sweet science'

By Alex P. Vidal

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Instead of ribbing Floyd Mayweather Jr. for "running away like a scared rabbit", we must, in fact, credit him for giving justice to boxing's billing as the "Sweet Science." 
Daniel Petrov Bojilov exposed our ignorance when we lambasted the five-man jury for awarding the lightflyweight (48-kg) gold to the tall Bulgarian who reduced Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco Jr. into a homunculi during the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics.
Like Mayweather Jr., who jabbed and bicycled his way to a 12-round unanimous decision victory against Manny Pacquiao on May 2 at the MGM Grand Arena, Bojilov used science to the fullest to bamboozle the smaller Velasco.  
Some of us are again displaying utter ignorance if not lack of understanding why scientific boxers like Bojilov and Mayweather can be dominant when matched against sluggers or brawlers like Velasco and Pacquiao.
Mayweather Jr.'s mastery of the ring was a mixture of science,  skills, intelligence, size and reach.
Scientific fighters usually have long legs and a thin frame like Salvador Sanchez, Alexis Arguello, Aaron Pryor, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Hector Camacho in the lighter division; and Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield in the heavy category.

WINDMILLS

They throw punches like windmills and their movements synchronize with how their brains work while weaving and boobing.
Scientific fighters maintain springy legs which they use in order to stay away from danger zones. 
Mayweather effectively utilized his footwork and crisp hammer-loaded jabs to hold Pacquiao at bay and made the Filipino lefty eat the dust.
Scientific fighters look awkward when they avoid head-on collisions but that's how they are made of; they just can't dance in the tune of a brawler who demands a slugfest by enforcing their own program of works in the ring.
Scientific fighters flick a jab, display cunningness and a virtuoso of ability meant to confuse and befuddle a brawler.
Brawler Pacquiao wanted to come in on various occasions but hesitated for fear of being drilled by Mayweather's laser-laced left hook.
Pacquiao lacked activity. 
His work rate was dismal and timid.
There was no more fire in his belly and Pacquiao's eyes were no longer emitting volcanic fireballs. 
The stigma of a one-punch KO inflicted by Juan Manuel Marquez disturbed him?
Pacquiao was simply outshuttled, outgunned and outjabbed by a superior fighter who confirmed the dominance and mastery of scientific boxers with amazing amateur background.

MEDALIST

Mayweather was a bronze medalist in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He fought and swapped tongs and hammer vis-a-vis the best amateur simonpures in Europe, Asia, Africa before he became a prizefighter.
Pacquiao, "Kid Kulafu" in a brief amateur life that was never tested in the national amateur boxing championships or any AIBA-sanctioned tournament, never fought the best Cuban, Russian and Bulgarian amateur World Cup champions en route to turning professional in 1995 via a four-round scrapper.
In a nutshell, there's a whale of difference between a street-fighting slugger and brawler with no fundamentals like Pacquiao, who topples opponents on sheer guts and power, and a smart aleck, Olympic Games-cultivated, tall and fast titan like Mayweather Jr.
In the truest sense of the word, running or showboating is not an act of cowardice. 
It's science. 
It's brilliancy personified.

Floyd Jr vs Pacman bettors, here's your guide

By Alex P. Vidal

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Fans who want to place a bet between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 might be interested to take a cue from the MGM Resort's International Race & Sports.
Mayweather Jr. line is -200 or if you place a $200 bet on Mayweather, you will only win $100.
Pacquiao line is +170 or if you place a $100 bet on Pacquiao, you will win $170.
Pick the KO round proposition: 
-Mayweather by KO in Round 1, odds is 60/1 or a one dollar bet will get you 60  dollars;
-Mayweather by KO in Round 2, odds is 60/1;
-Mayweather by KO in Round 3, odds is 35/1 or a dollar will earn 35 dollars;
-Mayweather by KO in Round 4, odds is 35/1;
-Mayweather by KO in Round 5, odds is 30/1;
-Mayweather by KO in Round 6, odds is 25/1;
-Mayweather by KO in Round 7, odds is 20/1;
-Mayweather by KO in Round 8, odds is 22/1;
-Mayweather by KO in Round 9, odds is 22/1;
-Mayweather by KO in Round 10, odds is 22/1;
-Mayweather by KO in Round 11, odds is 20/1;
-Mayweather by KO in Round 12, odds is 25/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 1, odds is 45/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 2, odds is 40/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 3, odds is 30/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 4, odds is 25/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 5, odds is 25/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 6, odds is 25/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 7, odds is 25/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 8, odds is 15/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 9, odds is 22/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 10, odds is 20/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 11, odds is 15/1;
-Pacquiao by KO in Round 12, odds is 30/1.
If one or both fighters fail to answer the bell for a round, the fight is judged to have finished in the previous round.
Knockout includes: knockout, technical knockout and disqualification.
If scheduled number of rounds is changed from the above, all bets on pick the round prop are void.
If the fight ends in any other result besides knockout, TKO, or disqualification, wagers are losers. Odds shown reflect opening lines.
Knockout/decision/draw proposition: 
-Mayweather by KO, odds is 9/2 or a one dollar bet will get nine dollars; 
-Mayweather by decision, odds is -150 or your $150 bet will earn only $100;
-Pacquiao by KO, odds is 4/1 or a dollar bet will earn four dollars;
-Pacquiao by decision is 5/2 or a two dollar bet will earn five dollars;
-Draw, odds is 6/1 or a dollar bet will earn six dollars.

Floyd Sr : My son will destroy Pacquiao

By Alex P. Vidal

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- For Floyd Mayweather Sr., the Fight of the Century on May 2 where his son, Floyd Jr. will tangle against the most popular prizefighter outside the United States for 12 rounds, will be his son's "stepping stone" to reach Rocky Marciano's 49-0 world record.

"In fact, my son will destroy Pacquiao. I can't say what round but there's no way we can lose this bout. Floyd Jr. is so talented, strong and damn good," Floyd the father vowed.

Floyd Sr. has been supervising his son's training and believes the WBA and WBC welterweight ruler is better than the legendary Muhammad Ali because of his son's clean ledger.

Floyd Sr. said they don't entertain a single thought that his son will lose to Pacquiao who is two inches shorter than the five feet and eight inchess tall former bronze medalist in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

'THE BEST'

Earlier, Mayweather Jr. declared "I am the best" and better than the "greatest" Ali, an admirer of Pacquiao.

The welterweight unification fight at the MGM Grand will also pit Floyd Sr. and Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach, who will introduce a new tragedy on fight night to ensure his ward's victory.

Roach has exhorted Pacquiao "to win every round" in the event no knockout will come.

Roach is certain of Pacquiao's victory saying Mayweather Jr.'s days as undefeated fighter are gone.

The fight, to be officiated by Kenny Bayless as referee, will be scored on a 10-point must system.

The Mayweather Jr. versus Pacquiao fisticuffs won't be the first showdown dubbed "fight of the century" that will be televised on a pay-per-view jointly by the Top Rank and Showtime.

BATTLE

The Jack Demsey versus Georges Carpentier heavyweight fight in 1921 was also called "Battle of the Century" and, with its undercard, became the first sports event broadcast on radio.

Demsey, also known as the "Manassa Mauler," had applied for a domestic exemption to the draft during World War I to support his family, while Carpentier served in the French air force and won the Croix de Guerre as a war hero, according to the USA Today.

Demsey knockout out Carpentier in the fourth round.

Sugar Ray Robinson's 1951 duel versus Randy Turpin was also called a fight of the century in the 20th century.

Robinson was styled as history's greatest pound-for-pound champion. He was 128-1-2 and was reigning world welterweight champion when Englishman Turpin upset him in a fight that, legend has it, King George VI listened to after excusing himself from a Buckingham Palace dinner party.

The rematch two months later got fight-of-the-century buildup, and Robinson rocked Turpin at New York's Polo Grounds before more than 61,000, a record for a non-heavyweight fight.

Pacquiao wants to do to Floyd Jr. what Mayorga did to Forrest

By Alex P. Vidal

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Like the pesky Ricardo Mayorga, Manny Pacquiao has been given the chance to be the first fighter to end Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s 47-0 winning streak on May 2 at the MGM Grand. 

Can Pacquiao do to Mayweather Jr. what Mayorga did to Vernon Forrest in 2003?

Heavy-favorite Forrest was 35-0 with 1 no contest (26 KOs) when he lost by 3rd round TKO to underdog Mayorga, then 23-3 (21 KOs) for the WBC welterweight and WBA super welterweight championships in Temecula, California on January 25, 2003.

Talkative and arrogant Mayorga, nicknamed "El Matador" and the pride of Managua, Nicaragua, proved his win wasn't a fluke by thrashing Forrest via 12-round majority decision in a rematch in Las Vegas on July 12, 2003.

Nobody gave the five feet and nine inches tall Mayorga the chance to beat the six feet tall Forrest, who was fresh from back-to-back 12-round unanimous decision wins against Shane Mosley in 2002.

RECKLESS

Mayorga, a reckless fighter like Pacquiao, knew he had no chance against the KO artist from Atlanta, Georgia if he did not rush forward to harass Forrest with dizzying wallops in the first three stanzas.

Fighting almost similarly like Mayweather Jr., Forrest didn't expect Mayorga to hit him hard like his fists were loaded with rocks.

At 2:06 in the third canto, referee Marty Denkin could not anymore tolerate the abuses inflicted on the unbeaten American superstar and halted the carnage.

Pacquiao has expressed excitement in fighting his most dangerous opponent who is also unbeaten like Forrest before the later's ill-fated bout against Mayorga. 

CONFIDENT

Mayweather, 38, is confident he can roll past the 36-year-old lawmaker from Saranggani Province in Mindanao and is looking forward to log two more fights before he will retire.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, loves to be tagged as the underdog. He is excited to fight Mayweather immediately.

“I’d like to invite everyone to witness this Saturday a good fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao…both of us, Floyd and I, we’ve been working hard to entertain you on Saturday," Pacquiao declared during the final press conference at the KA theater inside MGM Grand on Wednesday afternoon. 

"To give a good fight on Saturday. Nothing personal, we’re just doing our job, doing our best on Saturday to put our name in boxing history. But the most important thing, I’m hoping after the fight we can have a conversation with Floyd sharing my faith about God.”

Mayweather Jr. retorted: “It’s time to fight now. You guys came out here to see excitement. You guys came out here to see a great event. That’s what both competitors bring to the table. Excitement. The biggest fight in boxing history. And I’m a part of it so that’s a great thing. I feel good. I feel strong. I’ll see you guys Saturday."

Mosley: Pacquiao can easily hit Mayweather on the left side

By Alex P. Vidal

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Sugar Shane Mosley spotted an angle where Manny Pacquiao can easily smoother the defensively durable Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"Mayweather has the habit of defending himself with his right shoulder, then he moves to the left. He is in big trouble because Pacquiao is a southpaw and he can easily hit Mayweather with a left," observed Mosley (47-9-1, 39 KOs).

Mosley, who lost by unanimous decision to both Mayweather (May 1, 2010) and Pacquiao (May 7, 2011), thinks the Filipino eight-division world titlist will be the first fighter to beat the 38-year-old Mayweather Jr.

"Pacquiao has the speed and power. He will be a big problem for Mayweather who fights defensively and carefully," Mosley, 43, observed.

The former WBC champion believes Pacquiao hits harder than Mayweather Jr.

ORTHODOX

Mosely, an orthodox like Mayweather Jr., admitted that "it's very difficult to fight a southpaw who knows how to attack and how to absorb powerful shots."

He was decked twice en route to losing a 12-round unanimous decision to Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight bauble.

Mosley holds a 9th round TKO win against five feet and 11 inches tall Antonio Margarito, who lost a pair of unanimous decisions to Pacquiao and Mayweather.

Meanwhile, MGM Resorts sports book director Jay Rood said the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight "hopefully lives up to the hype."

Rood said it's doubtful Mayweather-Pacquiao, a fight several years in the making that is finally going down Saturday night at MGM Grand Garden, can match the hype.

HOPE

"But we can hope, and we finally can bet on it. If it gets to $100 million, this is going to be one great night in the state of Nevada for sure," said Rood, who projects the state's handle to land between $60 million and $80 million.

Rood said he has fielded "six or seven inquiries" from people interested in placing wagers of at least $1 million. So far, the biggest wager he has booked is $500,000 on Pacquiao.

As of today, Mayweather is a minus-200 favorite at MGM Resorts, with Pacquiao getting plus-170.

"We had a run on Pacquiao for about 10 days," Rood said. "But when we went minus-180, it really started coming in on Mayweather. I'm waiting for a couple big Mayweather bets that might be coming in. I think it's a great fight to bet because the price is right for both guys."

'Mayweather too big and too fast for Pacquiao'

By Alex P. Vidal

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Most Americans based here believed their countryman, holder of the WBA and WBC 147-lb crowns, will easily beat Manny Pacquiao when they square off for 12 rounds at the MGM Grand Arena on May 2.
"I'm sorry man, but Floyd (Mayweather Jr.) is too big and too fast for Pacquiao. Floyd will remain undefeated after May 3," quipped Richard MacMaran, 53, a strip entertainer who entertains tourists in the Bellagio sidewalk.  "I like your Pacquiao but Floyd is the better fighter."
James Sutherland, 47, a Caesar's Palace iPhone store assistant, said he watched most of Mayweather Jr.'s fights in Las Vegas and "I was impressed with his style, speed and patience."
He added: "Mayweather displays ferocity with grace each time he dismantles an opponent. I compare him to Sugar Ray Robinson."

DIFFERENT

Darren Graney, a Fox Sports TV crew, said he noticed that Mayweather's preparations were different for Pacquiao compared to his past fights.
"Floyd increased his muscles and I think he will prove his critics wrong; he might  slug toe to toe with Pacquiao to prove that he is not afraid of Pacquiao contrary to the claims of Freddie (Roach)," Graney said.
Moses Bernstein, a hotel staff, said he admires Pacquiao "but I have strong faith in Mayweather Jr. It will be a hard fight but in the end, Mayweather will emerge victorious. I can't comment whether it's going to be a knockout or on points. But Mayweather will win this big fight."
Pacquiao, 36, did not participate in the arrival ceremony at the MGM Grand to formally kick off fight week for his much-anticipated unification duel against Mayweather Jr.
The Filipino ring icon made an appearance at what Top Rank called a free "Las Vegas fan rally" on April 28 at 11 o'clock in the morning at Mandalay Bay's South Convention Center--Bayside C.

ACCOMPANY

He was accompanied by Roach, legal adviser Michael Koncz and childhood buddy Buboy Fernandez, who acts as Roach's assistant.
"We have an obligation to the fans and the press," announced Arum, 83. "We just don't think the grand arrivals are secure enough. It's like a mob scene in the (MGM Grand) lobby, particularly for this fight. Instead, we'll have a big ballroom, all roped off. We'll be there and we'll have the rally and then we'll go with selected press to sit with us and answere their questions."
Pacquiao's is staying in the Mandalay Bay and Arum thought his ward's appearance in the MGM Grand kick off  was no longer necessary.
Review journal's Ed Graney commented, meanwhile, that "the fight that is Floyd Mayweather Jr. against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden stormed past the event stage long ago and is now a full-fledged phenomenon. Whether the action inside a ring can match the ridiculously elevated level of hype that will have preceded it is no longer debated."

Mayweather Jr. tries to break the 48-0 jink

“Boxing is a sport. We allow each other to hit each other, but I’m not treating my opponent like an enemy. We’re doing a job to entertain people.” MANNY PACQUIAO

By Alex P. Vidal

LOS ANGELES, California -- Some of the world’s undefeated world boxing champions met their Waterloo in duels nobody expected them to lose.

A few of them almost hit pay dirt at 48-0 but lady luck proved to be not on their side.

Larry Holmes was the first man to come near the 49-0 world record of Rocky Marciano.

He was 48-0 (34 KOs) when defeated by Michael Spinks for the IBF heavyweight title in Las Vegas on Sept. 21, 1985.

Holmes’ shocking loss was voted as “upset of the year” by boxing’s bible, The Ring Magazine.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (47-0, 26 KOs) needs two more wins to fulfill what Holmes had failed to do.

If Mayweather Jr. will roll past Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) on May 2, he will be a win shy of equaling Marciano’s record.

If the Fight of the Century, touted as the richest and biggest pay-per-view show in the history of combat sports, will end in 12-round draw, Mayweather Jr.’s record will decline to 47-0-1 and a chance for a Marciano record sweepstakes will go down the drain.

A loss to Pacquiao will further impair Mayweather Jr.’s ledger and knock him off from the race to eclipse Marciano’s amazing winning streak.

The heat is on for Mayweather Jr. and other uprising future world champions with immaculate records.

FAIL

Some of the big marquee names in prizefighting history who failed to sustain their unblemished records were considered as “indestructible” before tasting their first defeats.

It was Frankie Randall who ended the unbeaten record of Julio Caesar Chavez by whipping the legendary Mexican by 12-round split decision for the WBC super lightweight title in Las Vegas on January 29, 1994.

Chavez was 48-0 (42 KOs with one draw) and was a win away from equaling Marciano’s record.

Gene Tunney was 39-0 (26 KOs) when Harry Greb (107-8-3, 48 KOs) beat him for the American light heavyweight title in New York on May 23, 1922.

After the loss, Tunney racked up 29 wins, including a pair of decision revenge wins to Greb in New York on March 23, 1923 and in Minnesota on March 27, 1925.

Tunney, who defeated Jack Dempsey in the controversial “the long count” for the world heavyweight title in Chicago on September 22, 1927, retired in 1928 with a record of 68-1-1, 48 KOs).

Wilfredo Gomez was 32-0 (32 KOs) when TKO’d in the 8 by Salvador Sanchez for the WBC world featherweight title in Las Vegas on Aug. 21, 1981.

“BOOM BOOM”

Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini was 20-0 (14 KOs) when stopped in the 14^th by Alexis Arguello for the WBA world lightweight title in New Jersey on October 3, 1981.

Edwin Rosario was 24-0 (21 KOs) when halted in the 4^th by Jose Luis Ramirez for the WBC world lightweight championship in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Nov. 3, 1984.

Hector Camacho was 25-0 (10 KOs) when he lost on points to Greg Haugen for the WBO super lightweight crown in Las Vegas on February 23, 1991.

George Foreman was 34-0 (31 KOs) when he was upset by Muhammad Ali for the WBC/WBA heavyweight titles in Kinshasa, Zaire on October 30, 1974.

Humberto Gonzalez was 30-0 (25 KOs) when upset via KO6 by Filipino Rolando Pascua for the WBC light flyweight champion in Inglewood, California on December 19, 1990.

Rematch in February 2016?

“In boxing, you never know who you’re going to face in the ring.” Manny Pacquiao

By Alex P. Vidal

LOS ANGELES, California -- What Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. haven’t signed yet is the contract for a rematch in February 2016, not the contract for the May 2 welterweight unification fight in Las Vegas, Nevada as reported on the internet recently.

Sources said part of the pre-contract signing agreement for the May 2 Fight of the Century is for Mayweather Jr. to announce the rematch in the event both parties have already signed the rematch contract’s dotted lines.

Thus no report came out since January this year about the possible rematch.

Both Pacquiao and Mayweather Jr. have denied they will face each other in a rematch probably to avoid confusion and to bring focus only on the May 2 event.

Even Top Rank CEO Bob Arum’s mouth is sealed.

No one from the camp of Team Mayweather will confirm the February 2016 rematch pending the result of the first fight to be jointly telecast by HBO and Showtime on a pay-per-view.

LOPSIDED

There can only be no rematch, our sources said, if Mayweather Jr. will trounce Pacquiao in a lopsided contest.

But if Mayweather Jr. will nip the Filipino congressman in a close decision, “a rematch will make sense,” asserted Kevin Lolo of Yahoo Sports.

A rematch maybe possible if Pacquiao will destroy the undefeated reigning WBA/WBC 147-lb titleholder, who hails from Las Vegas.

A week before the titanic tussle in the gambling capital of the world, fightnews.com released a full list of things fans didn’t know about Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao.

Mayweather, 38, averages over 1,000 sit-ups while Pacquiao, 36, averages 2.500 sit-ups a day during their training camps.

Pacquiao starts his day reading the Bible, while Mayweather Jr.’s morning routine includes brushing his teeth for straight 10 minutes.

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Mayweather Jr. gets a manicure and pedicure at home once a week during training camp, while Pacquiao is followed by some 500 fans on his morning runs in Los Angeles.

Pacquiao eats five meals and consumes 8,000 calories daily to keep his weight and energy up, while Mayweather Jr. eats food cooked and heated up on a stove and in an oven, not in a microwave.

Pacquiao doesn’t drink cold water because he believes it is not healthy. He drinks only hot or room temperature water.

Mayweather orders a glass of hot water when he is out to eat, to let his silverware soak in the glass before using them.

Two heavyweight superstars have picked Pacquiao to win: Mike Tyson and George Foreman, both former world champions and among the most feared KO artists in the world during their prime.

Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, 43, has predicted a victory for Mayweather Jr., who is trained by his father. Floyd Sr.

Former Barcelona Olympics gold medalist and welterweight king Oscar De La Hoya, a victim of both Pacquiao and Mayweather Jr., described Pacquiao as a “difficult fighter” who jumps from one side to another.

ATTACK

He said Mayweather Jr. might allow Pacquiao to attack him from pillar the post and cover his chin and breadbasket with his signature defense.

“Once Pacquiao tires out, Mayweather will launch his counter attack and pocket the round on the way to winning all the rounds,” stressed the Golden Boy, who lost by 8^th round TKO to Pacquiao in December 2008.

Miguel Angel Cotto, who lost a decision to Mayweather Jr. and lost by 12^th round TKO to Pacquiao, said the Filipino southpaw’s biggest weapon will be Freddie Roach.

Team Pacquiao heads for Las Vegas April 27 (April 28 in the Philippines) from the Hollywood accompanied by a horde of fans, family members, politicians, Philippine entertainers, and journalists on board a caravan that will pass the Mojave Desert in the Nevada.

Only Michael Buffer is like Caesar’s wife on fight night

"Yesterday I was lying. Today, I’m telling the truth,” BOB ARUM

By Alex P. Vidal

NOW that the names of ring officials in the Fight of the Century in Las Vegas on May 2 have been revealed, the Doubting Thomases among Filipino fight fans are getting restless and paranoid.

Some have even cast doubts on the officials’ neutrality.

Others have lent credence on the vitriol of Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs) that third man in the ring, Kenny Bayless, may be a pro-Floyd Mayweather Jr. (47-0, 26 KOs).

De La Hoya could be speaking from a personal experience or out of disgust after failing to obtain favors from the popular referee in the past; his opinion, nevertheless, does not transform Bayless into a hooligan.

De La Hoya cited one instance in Mayweather Jr’s fight against Marcos Rene Maidana (35-5, 31 KOs), where Bayless allegedly “had the bad habit of prematurely” separating the fighters even if they weren’t clinching.

This was when Maidana was about to deliver a coup de grace to Mayweather Jr., De La Hoya pointed out, thus instead of hurting the unbeaten WBA/WBC welterweight champion, Mayweather Jr. managed to survive and beat the Argentine customer on points after 12 rounds. 

RESIDENTS

Both Mayweather Jr., 38, and Bayless, 63, are residents of Nevada. And both are black (but we don’t believe Bayless will mediate the bout base on race).

Two of the three judges also hail from Nevada:  Burt Clements and Dave Moretti.  Third judge Glenn Feldman is from Connecticut.

All ring officials are Americans like Mayweather Jr. No Filipino or Asian, for that matter, has been assigned as official.

They were all appointed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, where Bayless had served as inspector for six years before he became a referee.

Bayless is a former Physical Education (P.E) teacher and considers boxing officiating as a serious job.  He cited Pacquiao’s brutal two-round KO of Ricky Hatton (45-3, 32 KOs) as the worst beating in boxing that he has officiated.

As Hatton laid flat on the canvas, his eyes were still open but were rolling and glassy, Bayless recalled. He called it a night.

Bayless, a father of three, considers the Bernard Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs) versus De La Hoya duel on September 18, 2004 as the biggest fight that he has officiated.

It was witnessed by about 200 million people worldwide, he recalled.

CRY 

He cried and considered quitting as ring arbiter more than 10 years ago when one of the fighters in the bout he had officiated in Las Vegas died of head injury, Bayless confessed in an HBO Sports interview last year.

Bayless was not yet involved in big time fights when Filipino referee, Carlos “Sonny” Padilla Jr., 80, was active in Las Vegas in the 70’s and 80’s.

As the ring officials undergo microscopic scrutiny, only Michael “Let’s-Get-Ready-To-Rumble” Buffer is free from doubts and reproach.

Like Caesar’s wife, only Buffer is considered by fans as above suspicion.

After all, he won’t hold any pen to decide the fates of Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs).

Buffer is “off limits” in as far as officiating is concerned. His role is only to introduce the protagonists and announce the winner.

But he is also a big Pacman fan. We once asked him who’s the greatest fighter in his opinion after Pacquiao stopped Miguel Angel Cotto (39-4, 32 KOs) in the 12th. 

“Manny Pacquiao,” he remarked without any hesitation.

All officials, including, perhaps, Bob Arum, will be under intense scrutiny by fans, except Buffer.

Pacquiao doesn’t need a KO to defeat Floyd Jr.

“In boxing you create a strategy to beat each new opponent, it’s just like chess.” LENNOX LEWIS

By Alex P. Vidal

THE trick is to win every round.  

Or majority of the 12 rounds.

There should be no room for error; a ring warrior mustn’t lower his guard during a fierce exchange or he’ll end up crossed-eyed and kissing the canvas.

If the triple (WBA/WBC/WBO) 147-pound championship setto goes the distance without any knockout, Manny Pacquiao will need to score at least 115 in the scorecards of two of the three judges to whip Floyd Mayweather Jr.

A fighter who loses 10-9 each in seven rounds and secures 10-9 win in five rounds accumulates 113. 

If the third judge goes against Pacquiao, the Filipino lefty can still escape with a victory via split decision.

If the same judge agrees with his two colleagues and they all award the fight to Pacquiao, the congressman from Saranggani wins by unanimous decision.

If two of the three judges score draw apiece while the third one favors either Mayweather or Pacquiao, the bout will end up as majority draw.

If one judge sees Pacquiao the winner and the other sides with Mayweather, but the third judge submits a draw, the bout will be declared split draw.

SEVEN

Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) has to win 10-9 in at least seven rounds even if he will yield the five to Mayweather Jr. (47-0, 26 KOs)--assuming there will be no knockdowns (a knockdown is automatically equivalent to 10-8).

Winning on points is Team Pacquiao’s plan B.

If Mayweather proves to be a hard nut to crack and won’t hit the canvas, he, too, is probably looking to wrap up the victory on points.

This must be Team Mayweather’s plan A.

Mayweather will endeavor to also win every round and halt Pacquiao, if possible.

Each fighter will hanker to score a KO or TKO victory. It’s a prizefighter’s natural instinct.

He smells blood and is always ready to annihilate his rival at all costs.

To win on points, both Mayweather and Pacquiao must focus on the following: 1. Defense 2. Effective hits 3. Ring generalship.

They may need a “blistering start” and “strong finish” but must not suffer serious cuts in the last four stanzas.

FULL

In high level battles, the protagonists need a full tank and second wind to survive 12 rounds.

With the quality of their training and preparations, Pacquiao and Mayweather appear to be ready to chase each other even for 15 rounds, the original distance of world championship bouts, which was reduced to 12 after the 1982 death of Deuk-koo Kim who suffered a brutal 14^th-round TKO from Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini for the WBA lightweight title in Las Vegas.

Not known as a risky fighter, Mayweather must have devised a different strategy that will confuse Pacquiao, who expects the black American to fight defensively and stay away from the booby traps they invented in the Wild Card gym.   

A better way to out-shuttle and outmaneuver Mayweather is for Pacquiao to follow him inch by inch so he can’t reload and maneuver a counter punch where Mayweather is more dangerous.

Days of drinking alcohol in public numbered?

“When I heard about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.” Henny Youngman

By Alex P. Vidal

THESE past weeks, a lot of Ilonggos have approached us asking where to place a bet between Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. who will dispute the WBA/WBC/WBO belts in the Fight of the Century in the gambling capital of the world on May 2.

Without any hesitation, we asked them to go for Pacquiao.

We told them Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) is willing to die in the ring just to win this big fight.

Pacquiao, 36, will eat alive or swallow whole Mayweather Jr.(47-0, 26 KOs), if necessary, in order not to disappoint his fans.

This is the first time that he gathered all his family members to be in the ringside when the richest and biggest duel in the history of prizefighting unfurls at the MGM Grand Arena.

Those who believed that Mayweather Jr., 38, is a superior fighter owing to his advantages in height, reach and unbeaten record, of course, disagreed with us.

That’s the beauty of democracy. Good luck, guys.

-o0o-

WE feel safe in walking home at night if our sidewalks are lighted and cleared of characters with unruly behavior and other debris and obstructions.

Thus if our village officials are empowered by a city ordinance, they will be the ones to prevent some unscrupulous residents from using the sidewalks for drinking sessions.

Many people have been avoiding some sidewalks in the villages because they were occupied by a group of men drinking alcohol in public.

Since some of those drinking were residents of the villages, even tanods or village officials were hesitant if not afraid to confront and stop them.

Iloilo City Councilor Jose Efrain Trenas III wants to regulate the use of sidewalks for the drinking binge and loitering, citing reports that “many people now feel unsafe” to use the sidewalks especially at night.

The neophyte councilor also cited security reasons for pushing with the measure known as “An Ordinance Regulating the Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages on Sidewalks and Public Streets”.

He invoked Book III, Art. 3 of Section 458 (4) (v) of the Local Government Code of the Philippines which allows the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) to regulate the sale, giving away or dispensing of any intoxicating malt, vino, mixed or fermented liquors at any retail outlet.

OBSERVED

It added: “It has been observed that some of the city/municipal streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, bridges, parks and other public places in Iloilo City are not properly utilized by the road users/public and for safety reasons does not feel secure in passing these areas due to malpractices of some unscrupulous individuals who want only utilize these areas for drinking and loitering,” the proposed ordinance stressed.

“The local government unit shall at most maintain the peace and order by enacting different measures that will possibly prevent and suppress the commission of the crimes inflicted, disorders, lawlessness, and violence.”

Trenas wants to create the Iloilo City Liquor Licensing and Regulatory Council, which will be tasked to issue licenses allowing establishments to sell liquor.

PENALTY

The proposal aims to impose a penalty of P2,000 for those caught drinking in public and selling liquors without licenses.

Geline Joy. D. Samillano, a law student and one of those who co-authored the proposed ordinance in lieu of their subject, clarified that the measure is not a total ban of intoxicated drinks in public.

The ordinance suggests a ban on alcoholic drinks on certain hours only as there have been numerous cases of alcohol-related crimes prevalent on those hours, explained Samilliano, who is helping spread awareness of the proposed ordinance among residents of the metropolis.