Manny Pacquiao is living the American dream. He has fame, fortune, and a left hook that can take him to another world title. There’s just one thing that makes him a bit different – he’s not American. I haven’t seen the boxing public so excited about a fighter since the Ukraine brothers – Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko came to the U.S. The Philippine’s boxing sensation Manny “The Destroyer/Pacman” Pacquiao is slowly taking over the U.S. with his perpetuate style of making everyone like him. Is it his record of 43 fights, 39 wins (31 coming by way of knockout), 2 draws, and 2 losses that make us watch for his extraordinary talents? Is it the fact he’s trained by one of the classiest and one day future Hall of Fame trainer, Freddie Roach? Could it be that he’s just plain likable? I’m going to say it’s all of the above and more.
It’s not only the Philippine-Americans that are rushing to Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles to catch a glimpse of their “People’s Champion”. People of all ages and nationalities are coming to get a glimpse of the next big super star in boxing. The Destroyer is crushing through his opponents and he’s still finding time to stop and sign autographs and take pictures with tons of adoring fans. That’s until March 19, 2005 when he moves up in weight to the super featherweight division and takes on one of the best pound for pound fighters of his generation, Erik “El Terrible” Morales. This bout already has classic written all over it. If you think the Manny Pacquiao Vs Juan Manuel Marquez fight was a masterpiece in boxing preservation, March 19th is going to replace all that. We all know too well that “El Terrible” holds no secrets when it comes down to fighting classic bouts. After all, he’s a part of a trilogy so few get to have in one’s career in boxing. Unfortunately, it’s not Morales time right now. It’s Pacquiao’s time. He is getting stronger and more accurate by the fight. Pacman has made it to that next level and he’s not going to let anyone or anything stand in his way.
This American writer is excited to see such an energetic, slick, powerful, and abrasive fighter they call The Destroyer – Manny Pacquiao on the boxing scene. I remember the first time I saw him fight on live television. It was November 15, 2003 when he took on former featherweight titlist Marco Antonio Barrera. I had heard the buzz concerning this boxer coming from the Philippine’s. He was knocking out opponents every few months since coming to the states to fight in 2001. Besides getting a draw against Agapito Sanchez, due to a cut and the decision going to the scorecards. Manny Pacquiao was winning his fights by KO or TKO. From 2001 leading up to MAB bout in November, he knocked out the likes of Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Jorge Eliecer Julio, Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym, and Emmanuel Lucero. These fighters had a combined record of 133 wins, 6 losses, and 2 draws. One had to think he had a chance against the great Marco Antonio Barrera after looking at those stats. When it came down to fight night, MAB was still favored to win. I had not seen Manny Pacquiao fight yet so, I could not make a sound judgment call on a prediction of the bout. Barrera was coming off of 3 big consecutive wins. He won bouts against Erik Morales, Johnny Tapia, and Kevin Kelley. It seemed normal that he would be favored to win. Manny Pacquiao shocked the boxing industry that night when he beat Marco Antonio Barrera by technical knockout in the 11th round.
That was 2003. Since then, as many have, I jumped on board the Pacquiao train as it fills up with fans from everywhere. Six months after the Barrera victory, I was in awe as I witnessed WBA and IBF champion Juan Manuel Marquez being knocked down 3 times with power punches in the 1st round of their classic bout in May 2004. Giving JMM all the credit he deserves as a great champion he came back in later rounds, to pull of a draw when it came down to the scorecards. Those who follow boxing religiously know that an error was made in scoring the 3 knockdowns in round 1 by one of the judges. In my eyes, Pacquiao should have been given the win and the championship. This happens in boxing so we roll with the punches.
Near the end of 2004 we saw or read how easily The Destroyer won by TKO over Fahsan 3K-Battery Por Thawatchai in the 4th round. My writing counterpart Jerry Nisperos from the Philippines gave me details of the Destroyer / 3K-Battery bout. He felt 3K was used as a patsy, but Fahsan’s team says otherwise. Manny may have not been in the best shape for that bout, but either way he came out victorious.
After a holiday vacation to finish up a great year for Manny Pacquiao, it was back to America to get set for his rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez. This was a fight all the fans were dreaming of. It never happened. JMM’s team argued about cash so the rematch was cancelled. I thought we would never get to see Manny in another big fight for a while. That changed when Erik Morales signed on to fight Pacquiao. I for one cannot wait to witness history in the making when these two warriors battle for self-righteousness, March 19th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. In a world where you’re only as good as your last fight, Manny seems to not know when that is.
