by Ronnie Nathanielsz
World Boxing Council president Don Jose Sulaiman, one of the foremost admirers of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao says he was “very disappointed” with Pacquiao’s performance and that Marquez “didn’t lose the fight.”
Sulaiman’s comments were made in an overseas telephone conversation with BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard in the midst of a swirling controversy over the majority decision awarded by the judges in a fight that even a majority of Filipinos who were polled by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN said Marquez won.
Sulaiman said Pacquiao “went eight rounds walking forward but clearly cautiously, throwing one punch here, one punch there. He spent eight rounds without any passion, no heart.”
The WBC president said “I believed in Pacquiao. I believed he is one of the very best today, he is much better than he was seven years ago at a weight that he’s very strong. I said that before the fight so I was practically embarrassed” with the result.
Sulaiman said he is “starting to believe that Manny is close to retirement. He didn’t fight like a world champion. He was indifferent, no speed, very cautious. With his involvement in politics and all that he is doing its probably in his mind its just about time to stop.”
Las Vegas based trainer Tony Martin, who trains fighters like Mark Jason Melligen, at the Mayweather gym in Las Vegas said “I honestly I think it should have been a split decision in favor of Marquez or even a draw.”