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It’s that time of the year once again.
For the past six years, a Manny Pacquiao fight has been the ultimate pre-Christmas holiday for us Filipinos. Whenever a Pacquiao fight is scheduled, it most surely becomes the definitive time for family or friend reunions. It’s also been reported that crime rates go down every time a Manny Pacquiao card is on.
Manny fought a who’s who list of superstars and future hall-of-famers as seen in this list during this season:
Date | Opponent | Result |
2008-12-06 | Oscar dela Hoya | Win (RTD – 8th 3:00) |
2009-11-14 | Miguel Cotto | Win (TKO – 12th 0:55) |
2010-11-13 | Antonio Margarito | Win (UD) |
2011-11-12 | Juan Manuel Marquez | Win (UD) |
2012-12-08 | Juan Manuel Marquez | Loss (KO – 6th 2:59) |
2013-11-24 | Brandos Rios | Win (UD) |
2014-11-22 | Chris Algieri | ??? |
December 8, 2012 was one of the darkest moments in Philippine sports history as Pacquiao rival Juan Manuel Marquez scored a “lucky punch” knockout (KTFO) victory. A year later, Pacquiao returned to the ring and was able to recover from that devastating loss with victories over Brandon Rios and Timothy Bradley, the latter a “justice” victory.
Now, Manny Pacquiao will face the unbeaten, self-proclaimed King of New York, Chris Algieri. Together with Pacquiao, (technically) two Filipino fighters are in the Clash of Cotai II card. Super Flyweight and Cavite native “Pretty Boy” Jerwin Ancajas will go against Tanzanian Fadhili Majihi while half-Filipino Indonesian Espinos Sabu faces off against Chinese rising star “The Wonder Kid” Rex Tso.
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Here are the results for the weigh-ins for the 3 fights:
Preliminary Card:
Super Flyweight (115 lbs) bout:
Fadhili Majiha (Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania) 116.3 lbs vs. Jerwin Ancajas (Cavite City, Philippines) 116.3 lbs.
Super Flyweight (115 lbs) bout:
Espinos Sabu (Manado, Indonesia) 115.6 lbs vs. Rex Tso (Hong Kong, China) 114.8 lbs
Main Event:
WBO World Welterweight (147lbs) Championship: Catchweight 144 lbs
Chris Algieri (New York, USA) 144 lbs vs. Manny Pacquiao (Sarangani Province, Philippines) 143.8 lbs
*Algieri was 0.2 lbs overweight. He was able to make weight in his second attempt.
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Tale of the Tape
Espinos Sabu | vs. | Rex Tso |
25 | Age | 22 |
5’4” | Height | 5’7” |
115.6 lbs | Weight | 114.8 lbs |
n/a | Reach | 66 ½” |
-2 | Streak | +14 |
Espinos Sabu, according to the Mr. Ronnie Nathanielsz, has a Filipino father. At the young age of 25, Sabu has 13 fights under his belt. He won his first 11 fights before losing to Thai boxer Rusalee Amor in Thailand last April 18 by unanimous decision. He lost again via unanimous decision against Filipino Warlito Parrenas in Batangas last October 4.
Tomorrow, the former #1 prospect in the Indonesian boxing scene looks to regain his momentum in defeating the #1 Chinese prospect, the unbeaten 14-0 Rex Tso.
Prediction:
Rex Tso is a knockout machine- winning nine of his fights by way of knockout. Moreover, Sabu’s reach may not be documented, but Tso has a visible reach advantage over the half-Filipino. Tso will jab his way in the initial rounds then go for the kill by the 6th round.
Tso wins via TKO in the 6th round
Tale of the Tape
Jerwin Ancajas | vs. | Fadhili Majiha |
22 | Age | 21 |
5’6” | Height | 5’7” |
116.3 lbs | Weight | 116.3 lbs |
66 ½” | Reach | n/a |
+8 | Streak | -2 |
Jerwin Ancajas’ only loss came from Mark Geraldo two years ago by a razor-thin decision. Then, Ancajas went on a rampage! He won his next eight fights by stoppage. Ancajas has been called one of the top young prospects in the country today. He looks to continue his streak against Tanzanian Fadhili Majiha.
Moreover, Ancajas has got to have one of the most active Facebook accounts in boxing today. Here are some of his posts:
Customary selfie with the People’s Champion
Prediction:
Pretty Boy is just too damn good nowadays. Majiha will be overmatched in this contest. However, the iron chin Majiha won’t be knocked-out in this fight.
Ancajas wins via UD
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Pacquiao vs. Algieri
All of you might have read all the technical breakdowns of the match-up and how Pacquiao is the overwhelming favorite to win the bout, especially since Pacman does really well against opponents who are taller than him. So let’s do something different- here are three scenarios that boxing pundits think will most likely happen, might happen, and is least likely to happen and the outcome of each for Pacquiao’s career.
Most likely to happen: Pacquiao wins via Unanimous Decision
Outcome:
What might happen: Pacquiao wins via KO in the 5th or 6th round
Outcome:
Least likely to happen: Algieri wins via a flash knockout (ala Pacquiao vs. Marquez 4)
Outcome:
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