Nemesis is a word that means someone who causes misery. Nemesis can mean a scourge, curse or bane. In a battle or competition, a nemesis is someone who cannot be defeated or someone who causes pain or trouble. And history is replete with stories of great men who, seemingly indestructible, were beaten by other men who appeared to be mere mortals. These supposedly 'mere mortals' defied odds and came out triumphant in the end.
Napoleon Bonaparte, referred to as the Emperor of the French Empire, was one of the greatest military commanders of all time. He personally led his troops during the Napoleonic wars. Even in the midst of a crucial battle, he would write his wife Josephine: "I am sending you a million kisses but do not send me any, for they burn up my blood. "
In actual battles, Bonaparte was relentless in leading the French troops to numerous victories. But one man proved to be his nemesis. The Duke of Wellington and his Anglo-Allied army dealt a devastating loss to Napoleon and his French Army in the Battle of Waterloo. That was the end of Napoleon's rule as Emperor.
In the same vein, there are stories in sports where seemingly invincible fighters ruled their division with ease, annihilating opponents after opponents, only to find themselves dethroned by fighters who were underrated and not given a ghost of a chance. Sonny Liston destroyed America's sentimental favorite Floyd Patterson and other top rated heavyweight boxers of his time, only to see himself knocked out in two successive fights by the loquacious Muhammad Ali.
Likewise, George Foreman made mincemeat of tough Joe Frazier and stopped him in the early rounds. He disposed of equally durable fighters like Ken Norton and George Chuvalo. Again, Muhammad Ali, already past his prime, battled Big George in what was dubbed as "The Rumble In The Jungle". Initially appearing to be a one-sided match with Ali not throwing enough punches but, instead, applying the rope-a-dope, the Louisville Lip sprang a surprise by unleashing a chopping right to Foreman's face in Round 8 to knock out Big George for good. Clearly, Ali was the nemesis of both Liston and Foreman.
Recently, Juan Manuel Marquez proved to all and sundry that he is the nemesis of boxing sensation and knockout artist Manny Pacquiao. With all three previous fights ending either with close scores or controversies, the 4th fight settled it once and for all. In Round 6, with both fighters scoring knockdowns in the early rounds, Marquez, moving his head a little to the left and mustering all his strength, unleashed an explosive overhand right to the onrushing Moneyman. Pacquiao fell flat on his face and remained unconscious for nearly two minutes. El Dinamita shook up the world in spectacular fashion. He, indeed, is Pacquiao's nemesis. By beating the legendary Pacquiao, Marquez, too, has become a legend.
- Konted
 |
| Napoleon Bonaparte at the Siege of Toulon |
 |
| The Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon Bonaparte in the Battle of Waterloo. |
 |
| Sonny Liston was Heavyweight Champion from 1962 to 1964. |
 |
| Muhammad Ali knocking out Sonny Liston in their 2nd fight |
 |
| Muhammad Ali knocking out the previously unbeaten George Foreman in Round 8 |
 |
| Marquez knocking out Manny Pacquiao with a vicious right to the chin |
 |
| Pacquiao is unconscious for almost two minutes. |
 |
| Pacquiao going down in the 3rd round |
 |
| Marquez being knocked down by Pacquiao in Round 5 |
 |
| Entrance to Cafe Lupe along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City |
 |
| Cafe Lupe serves good Mexican cuisine. |
 |
| Mexican-themed ceramic tiles at the staircase of Cafe Lupe |
 |
| Bar at Cafe Lupe |
 |
| A mountain bike hangs from the ceiling near the hallway of Cafe Lupe |
 |
| Mexican guitar |
 |
| Only at Cafe Lupe in Antipolo City |
 |
| View of Metro Manila from Cafe Lupe in Antipolo City |
 |
| View of Quezon City and some northeastern towns of Rizal |
 |
| Viewing room at Cafe Lupe |
 |
| San Miguel Pale Pilsen |
 |
| Milk Shake |
 |
| Nestea |
 |
| Mango Shake |
 |
| Grilled Tuna Belly |
 |
| Baby Back Ribs |
 |
| Buffalo Wings |
 |
| Pork Barbecue |
 |
| Cheering for Pacman |
 |
| Stunned by Pacquiao's loss |
 |
| Thinking of his classmate and friend Capt. Ronnie C. |
