History is on the side of Manny Pacquiao when he seeks to become the country?s fifth world champion in the super-featherweight class (130 lbs) on March 15.
Like the four previous Filipino titleholders in the division, Pacquiao is a southpaw. The others who were also lefthanded were Flash Elorde, Rene Barrientos, Ben Villaflor and Rolando Navarrete.
Boxing oldtimers have put some meaning into the similarity, saying it is a sign that Pacquiao will dethrone Juan Manuel Marquez when they collide for the Mexican?s World Boxing Council (WBC) crown at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
“Yes, they are all lefties,” confirmed Moy Lainez, whose association with boxing dates back to the 1960s, considered as the Golden Age of Philippine boxing.
Lainez is als one of Pacquiao?s dear friends, being part of a small group of men who handled the affairs of Pacquiao.
It was in the 1960s when Elorde reigned for seven years with 10 successful defenses. It was also late in the decade when Barrientos, a native of Cagayan De Oro City, also won the WBC crown that Elorde once wore.
In the 1970s, Hawaii-based Villaflor was the premier champion in the weight class as he ruled the World Boxing Association version with an iron hand.
And then there was the explosive Navarrete who was champion from 1981-1982.
The Bad Boy from Dadiangas only made one successful defense, an 11th-round stoppage of Choi Chung-Il of Korea, but is best remembered for his savage fifth-round title-winning effort against Ugandan Cornelius Boza Edwards.
