It’s official: around noontime today, Filipino pugilist Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao secured a split decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez. The judges scored it 115-112 and 114-113 for Pacquiao, and 115-112 for Marquez. Pacquiao is now the WBC super featherweight champion!

No doubt, some questions remain about who really won the bout. Both fought really hard, but I really feel that Pacquiao kept up the pressure and shrugged off any retaliation Marquez was able to muster. The really really bad cut above Marquez’s left eye was a clear indicator for me, though you could chalk up my opinion to patriotic bias.

In any case, I’m sure we’ll be seeing a rematch between the two diminutive but deadly fighters. Many great boxing rivalries become trilogies, and you can be sure that Pacquiao’s handlers and boxing promoters will want to take advantage of the rubber match’s potential for profit.

But that’s probably a few months away, at the very least. For now, let us congratulate Manny Pacquiao. Mabuhay Manny! May more Filipinos learn from your perseverance and never-say-die attitude!

(Photo courtesy of AFP)