To no one's surprise, Manny Pacquiao defeated Shane Mosley in their 12-round encounter last Sunday. What was surprising to me was watching a replay of the fight on TV5 instead of GMA-7. I suppose it was part of the perks that Smart, a sister company of the Kapatid network, wangled from the organizers for sponsoring the fight. The telecom outfit must have paid a premium because the ring announcer mentioned Smart as one of the sponsors and its logo was emblazoned on the floor of the ring.
Underwhelming bout
What was even more surprising was how underwhelming the whole bout turned out. I got more exciting moments from the RH bill debate on ABS-CBN which was aired at the same time. I would switch to this show during commercial breaks. Protagonists like Rissa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Esperanza Cabral, Joey Lina and Roilo Golez exchanged stinging verbal punches that evoked cheers from their supporters. At the MGM Grand Garden Arena, boos greeted the fighters in the middle of the bout because their fans expected more action than they were getting.
Action was what I looked forward to when Mosley was knocked down in the third round but the excitement was short-lived. I thought our hero would finish him off with punishing punches and go for a knock-out. After all, by boxing standards, this was an aging fighter, who was turning 40 in September this year. It was not to be as the two fighters seemed to be coasting along. They even touched gloves after every round, a friendly gesture I didn't notice in previous Pacquiao fights.
Too late
It was only in the 10th round when the referee ruled that Pacquiao was knocked down instead of pushed, did the Pacman react angrily. He started chasing Mosley then tried to finish him off in the 11th and 12th round. It was too late. Mosley was the slippery one avoiding Pacquiao's fists. The challenger managed to retain his record of not being knocked out in a fight.
For his colorless performance, Mosley earned at least $5 million with hardly a scratch on his face. Pacman's previous opponent, Antonio Margarito earned less but ended up with a battered face and a serious eye injury that required surgery. Pacquiao earned at least $20 million but did not work as hard as when he tangled with Margarito.
While many of the fans were disappointed, the sponsors of the TV coverage were quite pleased because the fight lasted the entire 12 rounds. They were able to air their innumerable commercials. In the Pacquiao-Hatton fight, Hatton was knocked out in the second round to the advertisers' dismay. Those who watched the bout on free TV had to make do with a much delayed broadcast. By 12:30 p.m, local time, the fight had already reached the 8th round but GMA-7 was still airing the preliminary fights.
Also very happy was the National Historical Commission which approved of the way Charice (pronounced Sharice by the ring announcer) interpreted the Philippine National Anthem. Perfect was the word the NHC used to describe her singing. Grammy award winner Tyrese Gibson did not have to follow rules on how to sing the Star Spangled Banner especially when he reached the last two lines "o'er the land of the brave and the home of the free." The Americans are more freewheeling when it comes to their national anthem.
Aksyon TV now on Sky Cable
I am finally able to watch the 24-hour news channel of TV 5. After several months, Sky Cable has allocated a channel for ABS-CBN's competitor. Aksyon TV which is on Channel 41 on free TV is now on Channel 61 on Sky.
Dick Gordon's "Duelo," Dong Puno's "Kalibre 41" and "Tayuan Mo at Panindigan" with Joey Reyes, Lourd De Veyra, Aida Sy and Carlos Celdran are some of the talk shows on the channel.
I notice, though, that many of its shows like "Totoo TV," "Public Atorni," and "Dokumentado" also air on or have been moved from TV 5. Several shows like "Cristy Ferminute" and "Todo Bigay" are televised edition of radio shows.
I trust that in due time Aksyon TV will come out with more substantial public affairs programs that can compete with the other news channels, ANC and GMA-News TV.
