Pacquiao Destroys Margarito; Wins Record 10th World Title

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The distinguished gentleman from the Philippines, Manny "The Pacman" Pacquiao emerges victorious against the Mexican challenger Antonio "El Tornado de Tijuana" Margarito via a 12-round unanimous decision in their world title fight, November 13, 2010 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas, USA.

Save for a round or two in the early goings where Margarito showed marks of his former championship brilliance, Pacquiao overwhelmed his opponent through their WBC Junior Middleweight bout. The famed Filipino boxer now holds the distinction of the only fighter holding 10 world titles in 8 different weight classes.

Margarito fought bravely through bloodied and swollen eyes and held his own despite wobbly legs up to the last sound of the bell. During the 12th round Pacquiao can be seen glancing at the referee as if waiting for the official to stop the fight, knowing that his challenger is at that point severely injured.

It was a historic event witnessed by millions all over the world. And it is only fitting that the match was held at what is currently the world's finest sporting venue -- Jerry Jones' Cowboys Stadium, which was filled to overflowing by boxing fans that night.

It was a dominating performance by Pacquiao but the bravery of Margarito cannot be denied. No doubt, this fight will go down the boxing annals as a certified classic.

Related articles

• Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito: Round-by-Round Live Analysis (bleacherreport.com)
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• Pacquiao Vs. Margarito Round-By-Round Coverage: Manny Dominates Opening Round (sbnation.com)

Obama Promises A Changed America

"Eight is enough!" Preacher Obama promises change.
See BBC story.

He was the face of change in more ways than one as US Senator Barrack Obama addressed tens of thousands of Democrats in attendance at the Invesco Football Field in Denver, Colorado, USA, and millions more by television worldwide, as he accepted his nomination to be the Democratic Presidential Candidate for the upcoming 2008 US elections.

I haven't heard such a stirring oration since Michael Douglas portrayed an embattled re-electionist in the movie "The American President". Whether or not Mr. Obama's vision will be realized should he take on the post come November is something that would have to be left to the course of history. But being the first African-American presidential nominee is already quite a cinematic historical moment.

Would he be able to have his cake and eat it too?

Obama touched on the legacy of past Democrat presidents citing Franklin Roosevelt and Kennedy in his speech and urging on the audience to bring back the "American dream". Towards the last part of his speech however, Obama drew on his roots as an African-American, not naming the "preacher" he spoke of but obviously referring to Martin Luther King Jr. in his famous "I have a dream" speech.

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Definitely the battlecry of the Democrats in this election is change. Mr. Obama himself personifies such a huge change in American politics, one cannot wonder just how ready America is to embrace this change. Once such a segregated nation in terms of its history with blacks, will America now embrace a man of color over another 4 years of what is perceived by some as a lackluster 8 years of Republican rule.

Skin color aside, Mr. Obama boasts of a record that is impressive enough for a relatively young achiever in public service. In his acceptance speech, he identified with the average American's struggles, even drawing on his familial experiences, as his motivation to pursue the highest post of public office. He promises to change so many things from the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq to tax cuts for 95% of American workers, to an aggressive environmental policy. He even categorically declared to end America's dependence on Middle Eastern oil within a decade.

There are of course other issues other than color in this elections but for now, the Obama saga continues. Will the promise of change convince enough Americans to look beyond deeply rooted racial bias and vote for a young candidate of African-American descent?

We'll know the answer this November.

Here is an excerpt from Mr. Obama's acceptance speech:

"I know there are those who dismiss such beliefs as happy talk. They claim that our insistence on something larger, something firmer, and more honest in our public life is just a Trojan horse for higher taxes and the abandonment of traditional values. That's to be expected, because if you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare voters.

If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. You make a big election about small things."

For a complete transcript of Barrack Obama's speech visit the NYTimes.com.

Pacquiao Captures Lightweight Belt

Photo from Philboxing.com

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao made history June 28 as he slugged it out on the square ring, outboxing then Lightweight Champion David Diaz and finally sending the Mexican-American fighter's face to the canvass late in the 9th round, to win the WBC Lightweight Championship of the World. Pacquiao is the first Filipino and Asian to capture the title, his fourth world title in four separate divisions, proving without question that he is the best pound-for-pound boxer of this age.

Pacquiao showed he was at the top of his game at the lightweight division -- considered for years as the holy grail of Philippine boxing. Filipino greats fell at this level, even the legendary Gabriel "Flash" Elorde.

But "The Pacman" was lightning fast at 135 pounds. The slow-motion replay could barely track a blur of a left hook that was the knockout punch smashing into Diaz's chiselled jaws. His gloves went limp as his face hit the ring floor. And while Pacquiao went to a neutral corner, referee motioned for the ring physician as Diaz struggled to get on his back. Just before the cornermen jumped into the ring -- Diaz's in bewilderment, Pacquiao's in jubilation -- the gentleman warrior approached his fallen foe and tried to help him get up.

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Manny Pacquiao's red right gloves flashed warning signs for the "Dangerous" David Diaz all through the first 8 rounds. But in the end, it was an unsuspecting left that leveled Diaz.

It was a convincing end. There were no scorecards to count, no controversial headbutts. Diaz took the fight to Pacquiao and stood up valiantly against the famed Filipino fighter. But this time the challenger proved too fast and too strong. Truly a lethal combination for the defending champ.

Get the blow-by-blow account at Yahoo! Sports.

And here's some great stories of the fight over at Pacquiao's own website.

Congratulations to the pinoy boxing hero Manny Pacquiao!

Superbowl XLII - NY Giants Win; Denies NE Patriots Sweep

Giants Victorious
Photo by Ben Liebenberg / NFL.com

Eighty-three yards in under three minutes. That's what came between the New York Giants and the Vince Lombardi trophy during the last minutes of Superbowl XLII at the University of Phoenix Stadium, February 3, in what will remain the NFL's greatest upset in recent memory.

Quick rewind. The New England Patriots dominated the AFC with a record-breaking 18-0 undefeated season, which included the division title played against the San Diego Chargers. As such, the NY Giants, after besting the Green Bay Packers in the NFC divisional championships, came into the Superbowl clearly the underdogs.

First Quarter. The Giants drew first blood with a record nearly 10-minutes / 16-plays / 63-yard drive capped midway by a 32-yard field goal from Lawrence Tynes that gave New York a 3-point lead against New England.

By the second quarter, New England found themselves on the Giants end zone - scoreless, but not for long. Running back Laurence Maroney defied the Giants defensive line for the last-yard rush and a touchdown.

Tom Brady and the Patriots enjoyed the 7 to 3 advantage coming off the half and all throughout what was decidedly a very defensive 3rd quarter, with neither team scoring. But by 4 minutes into the 4th, Eli Manning threw a 5-yard pass to David Tyree for the touchdown giving the Giants the 10-7 lead.

After changing hands twice, the ball once again was in Patriots possession. Brady and the New England offensive marched up the field in a determined charge which included a Superbowl record tying 11th reception for Wes Welker, and punctuated by a 6-yard touchdown pass to Randy Moss. After the extra kick, the Patriots led, 17-10 with only 2:42 left in the game.

As if there was not enough pressure on the Giants, the Patriots defense didn't simply kick back and relax. In that 12-plays drive about the 2-minute warning mark, Eli Manning passed incompletes, scrambled in the pocket at least twice and even got sacked by Adalius Thomas. Nonetheless, the Giants' offense persisted and the key plays made all the difference - an almost sack escaping from three Patriot linebackers results in a 32-yards pass from Manning to a Brandon-Meriweather-entangled-David-Tyree for a first down at New England's 24-yard line; and later, a 13-yard throw deep in the rear left corner to an almost uncontested Plaxico Burress.

When the smoke cleared, Burress was on his knees. Answered prayer indeed.

With only 39 seconds left to play, there was not enough "hail mary's" left for Tom Brady and his teammates scampering, albeit with double / triple NY coverage, towards the end zone.

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Blood ran thicker that night at the 42nd Superbowl, evidenced by Eli Manning succeeding his older brother Peyton for the Superbowl MVP award. For two years in a row, the Manning family have provided fine professional quarterbacking excellence to the sport.

As for the Patriots, it was a valiant stand. However, perfect glory was not to be had.

Final score - 17-14. The New York Giants prevailed over the New England Patriots.

Superbowl XLII - New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

So, who indeed wants it more? The question is particularly relevant to the current quarterbacks leading their respective teams for the sports' most coveted distinction - the Vince Lombardi trophy of Superbowl 42.

Will it be the Superbowl first-timer Eli Manning and the New York Giants? This, notwithstanding him being the third in a family of professional quarterbacks in the NFL, after his father Archie Manning and older brother not to mention last season's Superbowl winner and MVP Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts.

Or will it be the regular season perfect team New England Patriots with Tom Brady at the helm? Brady has had 3 Superbowls notched up with 2 Superbowl MVPs in his 7 season career. However, the news is Brady is suffering from a shoulder injury and is listed as "probable".

Superbowl XLII - a super upset in favor of the Giants or a 19-0 perfect season for the Patriots?

Red Sox Routs Rockies for 2007 World Series Win

The Boston Red Sox took 4 games straight in their best-of-seven match-up against the Colorado Rockies to win the Major League Baseball's 2007 World Series Championship.

Let me rephrase that - to CONVINCINGLY win the 2007 World Series.

Appearing for the first time in professional baseball's most anticipated event, the Rockies gave a valiant effort against the Red Sox which previously won the World Series in 2004 - 4 seasons prior to the October 28, 2007 finishing game at Denver.

Down 4-1 at the 8th inning, Rockies' third baseman Garrett Atkins sent a slamming homerun to the delighted fans at Coors Fields for a 2-run score bridging the gap to within one.

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Replacing Hideki Okajima, Boston's closing pitcher Jonathan Papelbon stepped up to the mound, intent to wipe out the Rockies' bid for a Game 5. An almost homer from the Rockies' second baseman Jamey Carroll was thwarted by Red Sox' rookie outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury leaping up at the fence for the decisive defensive play. With 2 men out, Colorado's Seth Smith suffered three strikes from Papelbon's 90+mph fastballs, thus giving the Red Sox its 7th World Series title.

It was the Rockies' best season thus far with 21 wins out of 22 games highlighted by a 4-0 sweep besting the Arizona Diamondbacks at the National League Championship Series. In contrast the Red Sox came into the playoffs with a 3-1 deficit against the Cleveland Indians at the American League Championship Series before winning the ALCS at 4-3.

Red Sox' third baseman Mike Lowell was awarded the MVP title for the 2007 World Series.