Mandaue residents lament Pacquiao defeat

Mandaue City officials joined Cebu residents in venting their disappointment over last Sunday’s split decision loss of People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao to newly crowned World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Timothy Bradley.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said he found it hard to accept that Pacquiao lost to Bradley. “Without fear or favor, I know that Manny won on points,” he said.

Since the judgment was already made, Cortes said it’s better to let “let bygones be bygones” and wait for the rematch.

He also discounted the widespread speculation that a syndicate was manipulating the result of the bout.

Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede said he felt Pacquiao was cheated.

“It was the Filipino’s boxing champion who threw most of the solid punches and hit Bradley,” he said.

Barangay Umapad captain Nelson Rubio shared the same sentiments, though he admitted that in the last three rounds Manny showed lack of focus and didn’t throw any more punches. He said something’s bothering the champion.

“It’s different now, he has a different lifestyle, responsibilities of a public official,” Rubio said.

Even Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, Cebu City police chief, weighed in saying Pacquiao had clear shots in the fight.

He also said the city was generally peaceful before and during the duration of the fight.

In the Breakthrough Restaurant in Arevalo District, Iloilo City, fans jeered and booed the split decision loss of Pacquiao. Correspondents Fe Marie Dumaboc and Chito Aragon with an Inquirer report