The Year in Boxing Pacquiao’s luster undimmed despite loss to Mayweather

Manny Pacquiao stood head and shoulders above everyone during Philippine boxing year 2015 even as Nonito Donaire picked up the pieces and Donnie Nietes became one of boxing’s longest reigning champions following three defenses here and overseas.

While his lone ring appearance resulted in a loss to Floyd Mayweather in May, Pacquiao remained the top draw even beyond the four corners of the savage square jungle.

Even in defeat, Pacquiao’s luster hardly diminished as it was later revealed that he fought with just one good arm after he reinjured his right shoulder that later underwent an operation.

Pacquiao bared that he had sustained the injury during training and it healed but it came back during the third round.

The scores were crystal clear for Mayweather, who utilized his catquick reflexes and sheer talent to mess up Pacquiao’s unpredictable attacking style.

The bout generated more than $600 million in revenue with Mayweather winding up with $220 million and Pacquiao getting around $160 million.

Several records came tumbling down following the huge success of the event that was held before a capacity crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Tops was the pay-per-view subscriptions that reached 4.4 million, almost double than the old standard of 2.48 million that Mayweather himself set when he fought Canelo Alvarez in 2012.

Also shattered was the gate attendance receipt of a little over $20-million (Mayweather-Alvarez) as Pacquiao-Mayweather did a staggering $72 million on the strength of 16,200 seats that averaged at $4,600 apiece.

Talks about a rematch was in the air as soon as it was revealed that Pacquiao had reinjured his rotator cuff but Mayweather turned it down, saying he had already proven to everyone that he was the better fighter and that his foe was a sore loser.

Pacquiao would sit out the entire year and is actually revving up for a comeback fight on April 9, 2016 while Mayweather resurfaced four months later with a win over Andre Berto then officially announced his retirement.

Still, there is speculation that Mayweather and Pacquiao would go at it again and possibly engage in a rubber match owing to the smashing success of their storied rivalry.

Unlike Pacquiao, Donaire and Nietes were buzzing with activity.

Donaire chalked up easy stop- page wins over William Prado of Brazil and Anthony Settoul of France before finding himself in a war with Cesar Juarez of Mexico on Dec. 11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the vacant World Boxing Organization superbantamweight title.

Donaire thought it would be easybreezy after sending the rugged Mexican down early in the bout but Juarez recovered his wits and came close to forcing the Fil-Am puncher to surrender towards the end.

It was a resounding return to prominence for Donaire, who has been lined up for some marquee matchups in the coming year.

Like Donaire, Nietes was on his toes all year round by bringing his act from Manila to Cebu and all the way to Carson in California.

In the Big City, Nietes stopped Gilberto Parra in the ninth round in March, while Francisco Rodriguez, also of Mexico, went the full route but lost a 12-rounder at the Waterfront Hotel in the Queen City in July.

Making his much-awaited US debut in October, Nietes was pitted against another Mexican in Juan Alejo at the StubHub Center and scored a clear-cut decision that extended his reign as world champion stretching back to 2007.

In the undercard of Nietes headliner, stablemates Jason and Albert Pagara and Mark Magsayo likewise scored sensational victories to punctuate ALA Boxing’s pilot promotion on US shores.

Several shows are being eyed to take place across California in 2016, assured Cebu promoter Michael Aldeguer.

While there were big hits, there were also a few missed opportunities, led by the devastating downfall of Brian Viloria against Nicaraguan pound-for-pound king Roman Gonzalez in their Madison Square Garden showdown in October.

Also falling short include superfly King Arthur Villanueva, flys Milan Melindo, John Riel Casimero and Rommel Asenjo.

In the amateur backyard, five Filipino bets brought home gold medals from the Singapore Southeast Asian Games in June.

Winning their respective weight classes include fly Ian Clark Bautista, bantam Mario Fernandez, lightweight Junel Cantancio and welter Eumir Felix Marcial in men’s competition and light-fly Josie Gabuco in the women’s side.

But the brightest spot came during the world championships in October when light-fly Rogen Ladon captured the bronze medal and Marcial made it to the quarterfinals.

Still, the main objective of booking slots to the Rio Olympics was not accomplished as Ladon fell one victory short of making the grade.