Wesley So’s sad story brings to mind what Manny Pacquiao did in the summer of 2001 when the Filipino puncher was starting to run out of worthy foes to beat up.
No, Pacquiao wasn’t exactly exasperated with the way his handlers were running his affairs.
In fact, the late Rod Nazario kept him busy and made sure the gutsy fighter got the chance to build up his name in an effort to make his way to the top.
After losing the world flyweight title in September 1999, Pacquiao was immediately given a top assignment three months later: One-time world title challenger Reynante Jamili.
Pacquiao, the underdog in the Philippine Sportswriters Association-sponsored slugfest dubbed Fiesta Fistiana, easily took out Jamili, winning in less than two rounds.
Nazario thought the world would take note of his boxer’s swift demolition of the same guy who went six rounds with Erik Morales.
But Pacquiao remained unknown outside the county even after knocking out a stream of rivals.
Then, it finally dawned on Nazario what had to be done.
He had to send Pacquiao to the United States.
Fresh from an emphatic stoppage win over a tough and skillful Thai in North Cotabato, Pacquiao found himself on board a US-bound flight, nursing hopes of going mainstream.
One day into his US stay, Pacquiao was told to go and see Freddie Roach, who had a gym on Vine Street in Hollywood.
Nazario, who passed away in 2009, would mesmerize everyone with stories of Pacquiao’s first day working with Roach.
“Manny was looking for a trainer who can take charge of his corner when he fights in the States,” Nazario said many years ago.
“Manny told me that he was happy training with Roach. Immediately, he told me that our search is over. He told me, ‘Boss, he’s (Roach) really good.’”
Nazario knew that Pacquiao would not reach his full potential by staying at home.
“If you want to make it big, you have to go to the US.”
Just weeks after hooking up with Roach, Pacquiao was signed to see action in an eight-rounder underneath an Oscar De La Hoya headliner at the MGM Grand.
While sweating it out at the Wild Card, Pacquiao, thrilled to be showcasing his wares for the first time, was asked if he is willing to fill in for an injured fighter booked to fight for a world title.
In a snap, Pacquiao’s team answered in the affirmative and the southpaw would maul Lehlo Ledwaba to win his second world crown.
The rest, as they, is history.
But, what exactly am I driving at?
The point is, there is not much opportunities for talented athletes here because of the politics and the culture we all live in.
Even outside sports, the chances of reaching one’s dreams lead to the US and elsewhere.
Why do nurses, teachers and caregivers leave home? To seek greener pastures, of course.
Imagine, what would have happened to pole vaulter EJ Obiena if he wasn’t able to leave the country for Europe when the world was plunged into darkness by the pandemic.
Since he got to explore Europe, Obiena is suddenly a legitimate medal prospect for the Tokyo Olympics as he got not only topnotch training but competed against the best as well.
And to middleweight fighter Eumir Marcial, who kept himself busy drying fish and planting veggies on the rooftop of his Imus house during the lockdown?
Knowing that time was getting wasted, Marcial packed his bags and flew to the US where he now trains regularly with Roach.
Yeah, So, the super GM, is a rare talent. But do you really think that he would have cracked the top ten if he opted to stay?
Oh dear.
