CEBU ? The crowd watching the pay-per-view broadcast inside the Cebu International Convention Center gave a collective gasp when Manny Pacquiao fell face first on the canvas. It was a shock that reverberated throughout the Philippine archipelago; millions of Filipinos watching erected giant screens, with millions more gathered in their homes, howled when Referee Kenny Bayless signalled the end. Juan Manuel Marquez loomed large on the screen. Vengeance was finally his.
So what happens now?
Pacquiao?s brain CT scan was reported to be negative. It was also a good sign that he was able to give coherent answers during the post-fight interview.
Moments after his loss, Filipino boxing pundits and fans already started discussing whether he should fight again. Boxing insiders have also started talking amongst themselves about the impact of his loss - both long and short term - on Philippine boxing.
His unprecedented success for the past decade has boosted boxing promotions all over the country. It also spawned a new generation of Filipino boxing writers on the internet, who chronicled not just his victories but the flourishing local fight scene.
Boxing found a bigger audience in our country and it has become mainstream. It was not just young and middle-aged men who were seen watching the fights live, but even women, children and senior citizens with canes.
Will these new fans remain when Pacquiao doesn?t come up with spectacular wins anymore?
Chances are, he will fight again. The great ones always have trouble when it comes to saying goodbye.
Pacquiao is a rare cross-over star. For the past few years, he has been seen on Philippine TV talk shows and noon time variety programs. Now, these same shows have started to guest other Filipino boxers. For the past couple of years, boxing as a brand was booming.
Will they continue to treat boxers the same way in the post-Pacquiao era?
How will this impact the commercial sponsors? Will they continue to support boxing?
Pacquiao has given us unlimited pride as a people. Filipinos born and living abroad have embraced and proudly proclaimed their heritage. Pacquiao?s work ethic has also spilled over not just to the other boxers but to other Pinoy athletes. How many kids decided to train as amateur boxers because of him? How many dreamed of turning pro and earn the same millions he acquired from big fights in Las Vegas?
We still have other world boxing champions. But Pacquiao is Pacquiao. He is irreplaceable.
We may never see his like again.
?Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot,
For one brief, shining moment
That was known as Camelot?
? lines from the musical Camelot
Topmost Photo - Marquez standing over a fallen Pacquiao. * Photos by WENDELL RUPERT ALINEA via PCSO
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