Elevating current WBC Lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao to the ranks of some of the greatest fighters and multi-titled champions may at this time still be a premature proposition considering that he still has to prove his worth. However, looking back at his records, scrutinize who he has fought and beaten, how he fought and analyze the impacts of what he has brought into the sport and to his country, there’s no inkling that he will amaze many but conclude that he really is in the group of great fighters. Since being lifted into stardom following his stunning knockout of the great Mexican fighter, Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003, Pacquiao not only stamped his name as a “world-beater” but as a living legend and a national treasure of his country.
In the world stage, Pacquiao is considered as the top “pound for pound” fighter now, a title long overdue and bestowed to him just recently if not for the retirement of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. who held it for a long time. Though fighter and promoter at the same time Oscar de la Hoya still tops now as the pay-per-view or PPV king receiving multi-million dollars in prize money every time no matter who he fights or how lousy the fight is, perhaps it will not take long before Pacquiao inherits it, too. But where he really stands tall and looms large is in his country the Philippines.
Being looked up to as a superhero, many Filipinos look up to Pacquiao as a Superman of sort, one who cannot lose but win every time. Such that when he lost to Mexico’s great Erik Morales in March 2005 in their first fight watched by this writer in Las Vegas, Filipinos started to cast doubts of his “invincibility”. Others rumored that he took a dive for the Mafia money. As can be glimpsed, many Filipinos are still immersed in ignorance or some are fascinated by Mafia movies that they believe so in myths about the long reach of the mob’s tentacles to “fix” fights or even alter NBA games and other sports. Others believe that anything that goes wrong in America are to be blamed to the Mafia, a US crime syndicate that is weakened by massive arrests of its members lately. But what complicated and strengthened even more the rumors of Pacquiao’s loss being “fixed” was when a news reporter of tv network ABS-CBN, perhaps carried by ignorance of his profession asked him in a live tv news program a question that stunned him. “Were there pre-conditions that you should drop your fight with … Morales?”, he asked without hesitations. Though there was no mention of the word Mafia or its involvement, Pacquiao found hard time parrying the nonsense doubts. This writer who disagreed why such question was asked praised Pacquiao’s coolness under fire. Since then, no doubt has ever occurred again, simply because Pacquiao keeps winning fights now. But wait till he loses one again.
Despite that setback to Morales, Filipinos still remains his most diehard and loyal supporters. In his rematch with Morales, Pacquiao vowed to win it for his people and he really did it big – by a kayo and restored his peoples’ pride and confidences in him. Since all his fights in the US take place on a Saturday evening while it is Sunday morning in the country, the country stands still every time. And though many facts and happenings that emanates from his every fight are often unbelievable or even exaggerated, most of these are true. So, try considering a few of the many facts that follow:
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As reported by the Manila police, Metro Manila which used to be a crime-ridden city experiences a “zero crime rate” during a Pacquiao fight.
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Seeing Pacquiao’s popularity in the country ever soaring, politicians befriend or ride by his name to gain national political prominence too, until he himself got lured into this quagmire called “politics”, and it’s a mistake.
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High profile prisoners at the national penitentiary in Muntilupa, Rizal financed the putting up of big screens for a live coverage of every Pacquiao fights as an entertainment for all prisoners.
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Roads and highways in the whole country are close to being deserted every time Pacquiao fights as drivers and commuters are glued to their tv sets. Work stoppages are also common and businesses are at a standstill.
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Most theaters, resort venues or even hotels in cities like Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Koronadal and other cities cater to showing live Pacquiao fights, too. Others offer free meals for exorbitant prices but still earn much.
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Many years ago, only male Filipino boxing fans talk about boxing and refer to Ali only when talking of great fighters. Today, ask anyone, young or old of either gender anywhere in the country if who Pacquiao is, and there’s this chance you will get a correct answer.
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Though unsubstantiated, many people have already suffered or died from shock or heart-related attacks during or even after a Pacquiao fight.
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Pacquiao today is the highest paid and most popular product endorser that one giant firm even gave him a lifetime pension.
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Big television networks like ABS-CBN and GMA that used to offer only tv dramas, game shows, news reporting and other entertainment now compete in getting the rights to Pacquiao’s fights.
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At the pace Pacquiao fights and earns and retires in two to fours years, he will be many times a peso (Phil. currency) billionaire, this writer predicts.
If the above facts about every impact that Manny Pacquiao has brought into his country are not enough to raise one’s eyebrow or squirm in disbeliefs, wait till he ventures into higher grounds. Having proved himself now of being a real “world beater”, what probably encouraged Pacquiao to move to higher level just like many great champions are the numerous showers bestowed on him from all quarters. And his recent impressive win against David Diaz of the US could be just one good reason. But who might be his opponent or in what division he fights next is what is most interesting.
Now enters fighter and promoter, most multi-titled fighter, pay-per-view king and “pretty and golden boy” Oscar De La Hoya.
(To be continued…)
Related Article:
The Greatest After Ali (Part 3) In winning his fourth world title, the WBC share of the lightweight division title last June 28 in Las Vegas from David Diaz of the US, Manny Pacquiao established himself as perhaps one of the greatest multi-titled boxing champions.Read more here!
