The bigger they are

It was a most frustrating day! I am referring to Saturday when I heard from Bing L that Floyd Mayweather had already signed the contract for the big fight with Manny Pacquiao, and even if he would not say who his “very reliable source” was, I knew he wasn’t pulling my leg, and that it was true. The frustration was the fact that it was a Saturday, and the STAR has no issue for Sunday, and we would not be able to scoop anybody, or at least, come out with the world’s most awaited sports story together with all the media outlets in the country.

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Well, Mayweather got all his demands, like signing that paper in his own good time, getting the Lion’s share of the receipts from the fight, and even being the one to announce it. Well, anyway, Pacquiao had already confirmed to friends earlier that there was no more doubt about it, the fight was a go. I believe, though, that it was that meeting – was it a chance one, by the way – between them at the NBA game that had clinched it. Note that it was he who approached Pacquiao, and even went to his suite at the hotel later.

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I am sure their fans all over the world are now delirious over the prospect, and those in the Philippines must already have started praying for their icon. Just imagine what an honor it will be for our country if Manny manages to make Floyd laugh from the wrong side of his big mouth. Even now, the big braggart keeps on trying his psywar technique on Pacquiao, like boasting that he has beaten 47 and Pacquiao will be 48. Let’s see, let’s see. Isn’t there a saying that the bigger they are, the harder they fall?

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Just imagine. A few seconds after the confirmation of the fight came out, the MGM Hotel in Las Vegas where the fight will take place had already been fully booked for those days. And, wow, what a killing those hotels there will be making. Reports yesterday already said that rooms that used to cost $190 per day now charge $705! Do they have laws against such speculation? Ah, but there will still be takers, and one can just imagine how the betting will go, even if the odds being announced are 3-1 in favor of Mayweather. Mommy Dionisia had better start her novenas and forget about her boy friend until after the fight.

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Of course we cannot compare Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to Floyd Mayweather, even if he, too, seems to be playing on the imagination of voters about what he really thinks of the calls for him to run for president. First we heard him declare he had no intention at all, never, of running for the office. Then he goes around, campaigning or promoting another government form, that is federalism. And then, and he has not denied this, some media have actually reported that he has named some conditions for heeding the calls for him to try the highest office in the land. One would think he is into the ploy of “Hele, hele, bago quiere”.

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The gathering of has-beens and frustrated politicians at the EDSA shrine yesterday looked like a desecration of what that the memorial stands for. Some of the leading characters as shown on TV looked very pitiful because it was obvious that they were disgusted with President Aquino for very personal reasons. One wonders if they were really thinking of the benefit of the country. Just think of Cory’s relatives now linking up with someone who, together with his family, is up to his nose in charges and investigations involving overpricing, graft and corruption. Aren’t they afraid of being tagged birds of the same feather?

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Meanwhile, is it true that detained Senator and movie actor Bong Revilla had sneaked out of his quarters to join the birthday celebration of also detained Senator Juan Ponce Enrile at the Philippine General Hospital? They say his excuse for going out was that he suffering from migraine and hypertension and needed a check-up. However, reports say photographs are being shown with him celebrating Valentine’s Day at the quarters of Enrile, doubtless with their friends and families. If he gets penalized for playing hooky, well, serves him right for malingering, to.

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The hoopla over the confirmation of the much-awaited Pacquiao-Mayweather encounter may soon be eclipsed the results of the Oscar selection also due this week. So far, there are so many deserving performances that the judges will probably be criticized no matter who get the statuettes. But then the winners will remain in history, and the controversies will be forgotten, as they have always been. I wonder if some betting also goes on, just like during boxing games?*

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