I think it?s safe to say that the United States of America wasn?t praying for Bernard Hopkins to beat Howard Eastman on February 19; and that?s not a knock on the undisputed middleweight champion ? it?s just not a realistic proposition.
Life is much different for Manny Pacquiao though. The Philippine bomber, who battles Erik Morales in a must-see pay-per-view bout on March 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is one of the rarest of rarities in the fight game these days ? a bonafide superstar.
Not a superstar who can get on the covers of magazines or on television talk shows (though he can do that), but the type that can stop traffic, reduce fans to tears just at the sight of him, and carry the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders.
That?s a mighty burden to bear.
?There is a lot of pressure for me because I have to win every fight,? said Pacquiao during a media teleconference Monday. ?I have a lot of countrymen to support me and watch my fights, and they?re praying for my success.?
He pauses.
?So I need to win every fight.?
He chuckles a bit after that last statement, possibly incredulous that a 26-year-old from General Santos City could make such an impact on so many people, and probably wondering how these same people would deal with a loss by their hero.
The truth is, it probably wouldn?t even matter. Pacquiao may have made his name in the world as a prizefighter, but his appeal stems from the fact that he is probably one of the most accessible stars in any field in any country. He is ?everyman?, the local kid who did good, and who will be judged not by wins and losses, but by his performance ? his willingness to leave it all in the ring. A judge?s decision can never take that away.
And that?s why every Saturday, the Wild Card Gym in California is filled from wall to wall with fans hoping to get an autograph, take a picture, or just catch a glimpse of him as he prepares for the biggest fight of his career. It?s like a little touch of home in a place far, far away from it.
?Everybody recognizes me, even the kids and the older people,? said Pacquiao (39-2-2, 31 KOs) of life in the Philippines. ?Also, the president and all my countrymen are proud of me.?
They?ve got a right to be.
Ever since a six round destruction of highly regarded Lehlo Ledwaba in June of 2001, Pacquiao has been on a worldwide tear ? from Memphis to Manila, Davao City to San Antonio. And everywhere he goes he?s amazed people – not only with his speed and concussive power, but also with his grace and easygoing style and smile ? which disarms opponents just before he beheads them.
In recent years, he?s made a habit of taking on the best lower weight fighters Mexico has had to offer ? first Marco Antonio Barrera, who he dismantled in 11 rounds in 2003, and then Juan Manuel Marquez, who he dropped three times in the opening round before battling to a 12 round draw. Now he faces Morales, the hard-nosed Tijuana native whose warrior instincts guarantee that there will be bloodshed on March 19.
The question is, will it be Pacquiao doing the bleeding, especially since no one knows how he will acclimate himself to the 130 pound weight class for the first time? Pacquiao is unmoved by such questions.
?He?s taller and has long arms, but I?m fine with the big boxers here at the gym,? said Pacquiao. ?I fight with 135 and 140 pound boxers that are taller than me and I?m ready to face Morales.?
Trainer Freddie Roach is also unconcerned with his charge?s jump to junior lightweight.
?He?s eating good, he?s very strong, his power seems to be better than ever, and his speed?s right there so I don?t think it will be any problem at all,? said Roach.
And though this bout has ?war? written all over it, Roach insists he won?t be sending Pacquiao out with all engines firing at the opening bell.
?We?re gonna fight an aggressive fight but Morales is a very smart fighter and a very good fighter ? he?s seen everything ? and we?re not just gonna walk in there and trade with him,? said Roach. ?We?ve got a little technique behind that attack.?
Working with the likes of IBF super bantamweight champ Israel Vazquez, Rey Beltran, and Jose Santa Cruz, Pacquiao is getting good work on that technique in the Wild Card, at least when he?s not sending sparring partners running from the gym. Pacquiao, when asked about his tendency to be a painful boss on those he spars with, played it cool.
?Not really.? Then he laughed, ?Well, sometimes.?
It?s that laid back charm that has made Pacquiao what he is today to the people of the Philippines, and what has led him to be dubbed ?Manila Ice? by ace publicist Fred Sternburg.
Sure it?s a tough job, but what better man to do it? And besides, he?s got more than just two fists on his side. He?s got a country behind him.
?They?re always praying for me,? said Pacquiao.
