Life can, indeed, turn on a dime, as the saying goes.

I know many of us were perhaps sitting tearful and crumpled in our own little corners, dejected at what happened to Manny Pacquiao last Sunday, in what many pundits saw as the redemptive fight of his career because of all the hype his rivalry with Juan Manuel Marquez has received on the world stage.

It’s hard to see the Filipino fighter, who has captured eight titles in eight weight divisions, getting knocked out cold, especially as he was winning the fight. I mean, when was the last time we did not see Pacquiao finish a fight fighting toe-to-toe?

But, even Pacquiao said, that’s boxing for you. One punch can change everything.

All the issues and scenes before the fourth meeting between Pacquiao and Marquez set us up for it so completely, so emotionally, that when it was over, we were drained.

I almost couldn’t believe it.

Pacquiao whom we know can throw punches from every point of the compass was hurting Marquez all over. The Mexican’s nose was broken and his face was all bloody. The next Pacquiao blow would surely send Marquez tumbling to the canvas in a heap.

Instead, in the next instant, Pacquiao leaned into a short, straight right from Marquez. Game over.

Manny had a lot riding on the fight. He had something to prove after losing his last fight to Tim Bradley. Many thought he lost his last fight to Marquez too.

Also, he wasn’t just fighting for redemption. He was providing psychic compensation for the entire Filipino nation, especially the hundreds of victims and survivors of Typhoon Pablo’s destruction, to whom he dedicated the fight.

But Marquez also had a lot to prove. And he was also carrying the pride and hope of the Mexican nation on his shoulders.

There was perhaps a more telling reason why he could not afford to lose. While a loss against Manny may not sound the final siren on his boxing career, it would certainly lead to a lot of boxing critics and promoters to write him off.

Marquez is not as bankable as Manny. In fact, it is only now against Pacquiao that he has been getting the big bucks.

He needed to win if doors are to be left open for him. To underestimate Marquez, to be overconfident against him as Pacquiao himself admitted, was foolish for Marquez needed to win and win well to keep his storied career afloat.

As they say, the more desperate fighter is also the more dangerous one.

The fact alone that Marquez is the only fighter that has befuddled Manny after he rose to become champion speaks of the Mexican idol’s craftiness.

Manny has come against a lot bigger, stronger and faster foes. He has battled unforgettably with the best. And yet Marquez has been his only enigma.

Marquez’s knockout performance (literally) against Manny proved that even at 39, grandfather age for most boxers, his best ring exploits are not behind him.

I just thank God Manny seems to be okay. That is Pacquiao for you. He wins and loses quite spectacularly.

He showed class losing too. The guy is really a champion at heart.

It takes guts to face such a significant loss squarely and find the resources to start again but I have no doubt in my mind that Manny has those guts in abundance. He is certain to make a dramatic comeback after this fight, take my word for it.

Boxing is such an unpredictable sport, and there aren’t many places in life where you can get as many chances as you do in the boxing ring. Indeed, boxing is the sport of second, third and fourth chances.

How many times have we seen fighters struggle through a string of setbacks only to eventually end up with the championship belt? Such scenarios are what make heroes out of boxers.

People love it when the guy who struggled all the way finally arrives at the top. Or when a guy who fell from the top all the way to the bottom gets back up again.

The good fighters learn from their defeats and use these lessons to become better. After this, Manny will become better.

And because Manny is Manny, relentless until the final bell rings, or until he gets knocked out, he will always be in an exciting fight regardless of who he faces.

This alone guarantees his shot at redemption.

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