No sooner I arrive at the ESPN2 FNF site with small expectations - I mean, names like Carlos Navarro and Bobby Pacquiao translates more to pugilistic ripples, not tsunamis - worse yet, there’s game one of a college beizbol round robin to contend with.

Finally, beyond the listed 2200 hours start, the frustrations waned, and is replaced with couple hours of ring comedy - but first, let's go to the main event with Carlos Navarro entering at 26-3-1, 21 KOs facing off with Bobby PacMan with much less glittering resumé of 24-11-3, 10 KOs.

The pre-fite research exposed the Navarro rap sheet as questionable, with two of the three losses coming via TKO when moving up in company with Nate Campbell and Lamont Pearson. The Pacquiao padded credits has him collecting four wins over one Baby Corona - but on the debit side, reflects 3 losses to Raffi Aladi, whose today job application reads 35-22-3, 18 KO’s.

No sooner the opening bell and there’s Pac-Man slippin’ and slidin’ as if dancing on ice - word from our favorite pugilistic book of knowledge color commentator Atlas, is Pacquiao entered this one with brand new boxing slippers - brilliant - and compounding the humor of it all, there’s young referee Jon Schorle without a clue for answers.

Quick as you can count college beizbol 1-2-3, it’s Navarro tossing a perfect game but not really taking complete advantage over the gift bearing foe - between stanzas three and four the desperate Pac-Man corner gives the old taped shoe trick a try - and damned if it didn’t work.

Now we have Pac-Man grabbing four with sustained body punching - the slightly improved traction helps in action stanza five - then candle six and enter the clowns.

Well, an elf, in third, confused man in the ring Schorle, who never sees a Pacquiao left hook to the midsection that has Navarro on his knees - what to do, what to do? No problem, when in doubt go the low blow point deduction route.

Calamity closes during stereotype slap-stick stanza seven, when Navarro, unable to find an exit, opts for the new century knee taker, but once that fails he simply remains on the canvas while joining Jon-Jon Schorle in a ten-count duet.

Pacquiao goes to 25-11-3, 11 KO’s while Navarro drops to 26-4-1, 21 stoppages.

Post Scripts: Bobby Pacquiao ~ Only positive I see is in the guts department - but the guns shoot a combination of caps and small arms fire. Will never graduate from minor league. Re the slippery slippers, one would think a fighter with over 30 kept appointments would first break them in before wearing in combat.
                     Carlos Navarro ~ As a long ago pop tune once shouted it "you gotta have heart" and this member of the Navarro boxer brothers looks in need of a transplant. Even with the multiple available straps out there, not a one is his for the taking.

                     Prelim offerings unworthy of comment.

GEL

6-17-2005