SPECKS OF LIFE – Pacquiao win solidifies his Senate bid

Undoubtedly, the world’s only 8-division world champion is now seriously considered a cinch to bag a Senate seat in the May 9, 2016 polls.
This, after registering a very convincing unanimous decision victory over erstwhile conqueror Tim Bradley in their trilogy at the MGM arena in Las Vegas last Sunday.
Doesn’t the world love a winner? I am certain that Filipinos, who are quintessentially die-hard sports fans, will show their sense of appreciation for the man who brought unquantifiable honors to the country by ticking his name on the official Comelec ballot when polling time comes around four weeks from now.
However, the congressman from Sarangani might get himself in a bind when he comes back home to conduct his campaign.
Although he might not need to go stamping around the country to woo support from his adoring countrymen, his party – UNA – might prevail on him to join the provincial sorties to help resuscitate the now fledgling survey ratings of UNA presidential candidate VP Jejomar Binay.
Binay, running third behind joint survey leaders Rodrigo Duterte and Grace Poe, will definitely hang on to the coattails of the man of the hour. His handlers will design desperate strategies that will keep him in the limelight along with the Pacman that will be written and captured by the videographers and photographers of all media organizations. You can bet on this.
Readers will agree that the popularity of Pacquiao can draw huge crowds and even sway votes especially in areas where voters are still undecided. But it can be argued that the magnetic strength of the Pambansang Kamao he can only keep to himself and not share it with other candidates he will endorse.
Before his ratings plunged down as a result of his comments against same sex marriage that affected LGBTs, Pacquiao was among those in the top ten, hugging the 8th spot. The latest survey before the Bradley encounter showed the Pacman sharing 10th – 14th places with five other strong contenders.
Mental toughness plus the great confidence that God is always on his side were the not-so-secret keys to the Pacman’s victory. His rustiness after nearly a one year-long lay-off didn’t show as he stood his ground against Bradley who seemed tentative during the first few rounds.
The American, I sensed, would have been contented to eke out a draw. He did not box to score a decisive win except in the last three rounds when Manny already was far ahead on points. Bradley landed some hard punches but he was conscious not to get trapped in a toe-to-toe slugfest. He hit the canvass twice – once in the 7th and again in the 9th – but Pacquiao failed to sustain his advantage and allowed his foe to escape the KO axe.
The Filipino boxing legend started very carefully and after feeling out his opponent in the first three rounds, went to work, scoring hard left straights, jabs and counter hooks to pile up points.
Bradley just could not overcome the hand speed, footwork and southpaw style of Pacquiao, backpedalling when he should have pursued a relentless attack.
That’s the only way to beat an on-rushing bull, meeting it head on and taking it by its horns, so to speak.
For now, Filipinos are now second guessing if the future senator would indeed be hanging up his gloves permanently. He has publicly indicated this several times before the Bradley date.
Bob Arum, Top Rank’s chief honcho and the Pacman’s fatherly adviser, thinks otherwise.
In so many words, Arum said in his 50 years of experience in the boxing world, none has kept his word about retirement like it was carved in stone. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com). God bless the Philippines.