Mommy took you today to watch the Pacquiao vs. Bradley match. You seemed quite excited little pebble, you kicked a good deal in Mommy’s tummy!
Mommy is devastated. Her favourite boxer, Manny Pacquiao (that’s OUR favourite boxer… you and Daddy’s too) lost today his WBO welterweight title. He had a total of eight titles to his name (now down to seven) in eight different weight divisions. Little pebble, no one in boxing history has held such a number of titles at any given point.
Pacquiao lost to a strong and younger opponent, Timothy Bradley. Bradley is such a good fighter that in his 28 matches, he has not lost a single fight and was able to knock down 12 of his opponents. He was a worthy contender to our Pacquiao (Pacquiao has had 54 fights of which he lost only three and knocked down 38 of his opponents).
While Mommy is very sad about the outcome (Pacquaio has not lost a game since 2005), we have to respect the decision of the judges. That is how it is in sports or in any other contest. Judges are appointed to decide who the winner will be and that the players have to abide with the judges’ decision even if they think that such is not correct. Of course in extreme cases, the decision of the judges can be contested but that is the exception rather than the general rule.
Despite Pacquiao losing today, Mommy is still quite proud of him. He fought a good fight and he did not show any fear. When the decision was announced, he gallantly went to Bradley’s side to congratulate him. He did not say any bad words against the judges nor did he raise a fit. He didn't forget to say a prayer and even remembered to thank his supporters. That is sportsmanship dear little pebble which Mommy thinks is much more important than winning. Winning is not everything.
Little one, losing in itself is not dishonourable. It is not possible to win all of the time and there will be times that you may lose. The important thing is that you did your absolute best and that you prepared well for the game. If it happens that someone else bested you even if you did all you can to win, go to your opponent and shake his hand. Of course you can cry a bit when you get home but what you absolutely cannot do is to lose your temper in front of everyone because you lost.
If you really think that you are better than your opponent, practice harder, analyse why you lost in your last game, study your opponent’s technique, and improve your strategy. Then in the next game, you can show the world that you are by far the better player.
POSTSCRIPT: Daddy liked Mommy so much after he met her that he came with Mommy in Adelaide to watch with her the Pacquaio vs. Cotto fight in November 2009 notwithstanding that he did not know who Pacquiao was and that he did not care for boxing (Daddy is a football and soccer man). Daddy even made Mommy a special poster from that the Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight.
Guess what Daddy gave Mommy as wedding present in their Adelaide wedding? Not flowers nor jewellery but an authentically signed boxing glove of Manny Pacquiao! Daddy and Mommy did not go to Paris or Florence after their Adelaide wedding but went to the Marion Hotel to watch Pacquiao vs. Marquez.
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