Philippines, 29 Mar 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Boxers Who Made a Difference Outside the Square Ring


PhilBoxing.com




Like Flash Elorde before him, Manny Pacquiao from the time he made it big in professional boxing has always been known as a man of compassion who will do the utmost, to the best of his ability, generosity and extent of his resources to help especially his poor kababayan in times of need and emergency.

And now by virtue of his being a Senator, Pacquiao is even in a more pivotal if strategic position to be of greater assistance to his countrymen particularly in this current global health/medical emergency caused by the covid-19 pandemic.

Aside from pitching from his own resources, Pacquiao has availed of his friendship and connection with Chinese billionaire Jack Ma resulting to the latter's generous donation of massive bulks of face masks and personal protective equipment for local health workers battling the dreaded disease.

Recently, his assistance for social amelioration has also been sought by a large group of boxers, trainers, managers and matchmakers who have been severely affected economically by the lockdowns, travel bans and indefinite suspension of boxing events here and abroad.

There is no doubt that Pacquiao will do all he can to appeal the case of his brothers and sisters in arms in the sport, majority of whom only earn when there are fights. As there is no doubt that he will do whatever he can to help the Filipino people in this extremely trying times.

The admirable though difficult position Pacquiao finds himself in vis a vis the current covid-19 emergency brings to mind instances where some boxers who, guided by their beliefs and principles, employed their popularity and influence to make a big difference in their societies and countries and the world as a whole in the face of bigger crises, conflicts and threats.

A most recent example was Vitali Klitschko who relinquished his world heavyweight title and turned his back on a still flourishing and lucrative boxing career to run for public office as Mayor of Kiev believing that his country, Ukraine, needed somebody of his stature, influence and resolve to stand up to the threat of invasion from Russia. His election as Mayor of Kiev, the nation's capital seemed to send a strong message that the Ukrainian people will fight to preserve their sovereignty and independence.

Another was Andre Berto who at the height of his reign as world welterweight titlist, temporarily shelved his career to come to the rescue of his native Haiti which was devastated by a very powerful earthquake. His action was instrumental in calling attention to the plight and generating international assistance for the massive rehabilitation and reconstruction of the small Carribean island nation.

In boxing's early days, we have had Jack Johnson who sacrificed his own personal safety and risked his very successful pro boxing career as reigning world heavyweight champion to fight for the civil rights of his fellow Afro Americans and other coloreds at a time of white supremacist America bent on using violence and intimidation to suppress minority dissent. It was Johnson who planted the seed of future and successful Afro American struggles for equality in boxing and sports and the American society in general.

During the early days of the growing and escalating Americanization of the Vietnam War, we have had Muhammad Ali saying no to forcible military draft contending that he has "no quarrel with them Congs" and that going to war was contrary to his conscience and beliefs as a practicing Muslim. Though he was not the first nor alone in that conviction against an unjust and immoral faraway war that would snuff out the lives and vitality of hundreds of thousands of Americans, his stand would fire up a movement which would pull the US from that war it could never win. To these days, through a Foundation carrying his name, Ali, though now deceased has continued with the advocacy for fostering peace and understanding among peoples around the globe.

In the mid 60s, we have had Dick Tiger who risked antagonizing and incurring the ire of Nigerian predominantly military authorities and the displeasure of the world boxing bodies which recognized him as the duly reigning light heavyweight champion to side with his fellow Ibo tribesmen in their struggle for the establishment of an independent state of Biafra. Though their struggle failed with the Biafran rebels crushed by the Nigerian military, Tiger remained true to his political conviction and never returned to Nigeria even after his retirement from boxing, electing to die and be buried in an adopted foreign land.

In the 80s, during the Nicaraguan Civil War, Alexis Arguello rose above his status as a highly successful professional boxer and world champion to personally and actively throw his support to the side which he believed represented the genuine aspirations of majority of his fellow countrymen. At the peak of his career, political issues came to a head and in 1979, a civil war erupted, culminating in the overthrow of the Somoza family with the leftist Sandinista regime taking over. Arguello's property and bank account were seized and one of his brother was killed fighting the Sandinistas. Arguello who was then living in the Ujited States went back to Nicaragua and fought on the side of the Contras.

Manny is in a great company.


The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 65: MELVIN JERUSALEM AND JAKE AMPARO VERSUS SHIGEOKA BROTHERS IN WORLD TITLE DOUBLE HEADER ON MARCH 31 IN JAPAN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Atlanta Repeats Over Boston, 123-122 Becomes First Team to Beat Celts Twice
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • AJ Paciones Stops Wanchai, Retains WBA Asia 108 Belt in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Ador Torres Scores Round 4 TKO WIn in Thailand, Still ABF-147 Champ
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Weigh-In Results: Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada vs. Yokasta Valle Championship Doubleheader
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Pagaduan to face Bubpamalo on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Andrew Moloney-Pedro Guevara Interim Junior Bantamweight Title Showdown Confirmed as New Co-Feature to Lomachenko-Kambosos Super Fight at RAC Arena in Perth & LIVE on ESPN
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • CBN Promotions Expands Broadcast Reach with Addition of Stadium and Gray Television as Distribution Partners
    , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Daya, Paulino rule OCR
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 Mar 2024
  • Wild, Wild Western Conference
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez-Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle Doubleheader Set for Friday
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM BIG TIME BOXING USA IN DETROIT
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Undefeated Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes to Attend Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson Fight Eyes Potential Showdown with Winner
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PACE to host FIDE chess tilt this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Preserving a Legacy: The Birth of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Garcia vs Haney: Boxing Match or A Live Mental Break Down?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Christian Mbilli-Mark Heffron Super Middleweight Main Event & Arslanbek Makhmudov-Junior Fa Heavyweight Battle Set for May 25 at Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan, Canada
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • MATÍAS MAKES HOMECOMING DEFENSE AGAINST PARO ON JUNE 15
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • ‘ROCKY’ HERNANDEZ RETURNS AGAINST LUGO IN MEXICO ON MAY 11
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PCAP: Cavite eyeing to bounce back
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • HALL OF FAMER ANN WOLFE TO ATTEND 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Gathering of champions
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Filipinos AJ Paciones and Ador Torres Make Weight for Title Fights in Highland Boxing Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Visiting Teams All Won vs Hosts; Boston Finally Loses
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Lukas to face undefeated Jaiklom on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.