With each passing day after his classic and gallant fight against Erik Morales, Manny Pacquiao’s mettle and character is put to the test by the very same people who had benefited from him under the claim of God’s guidance and a father’s love to a son.
His fame suddenly attracted all sorts of men. Manny has to dig deeper into his wisdom and discernment to sort out those who really mean him well through thick and thin as against those who are just there for the ride on the fame and glory. Worse, he is faced by a challenge to avoid being exploited by seemingly well-meaning friends, but in truth are out to share the money and the credits for his sacrifices in the ring. In fact, in all of his years without a father-figure, he suddenly found himself a son to so many fathers. Such is to be Rich and Famous.
His loss to Morales opened a Pandora’s Box and is beginning to unmask the true colors of some people under his wings. Take the case of Murad Muhammad, the self-proclaimed miracle man who invokes the name of God every time he speaks. When the fight with Morales was announced, it was already known that the fight would be on a pay per view. It was also publicly claimed that Manny Pacquiao would receive $1.75 million and a share from the proceeds of PPV. That was how Manny and the public (including myself) were made to believe. Hence, weeks prior to the fight, everybody was comfortably assured that the sharing of the proceeds from the fight would be fair and square. There were smiles on everybody’s faces. A fight for the ages both in the challenge and the financial reward it offers, but Murad’s smile was extraordinarily wider and sweeter than anybody else’s. There was more in the smile than meets the eye. It was worth $2.8 million more.
Just like most boxers in the world, Manny Pacquiao lacks the education because of poverty. And just like most poor boxers in this world, his desire to free himself from the manacles of deprivation, ignorance and want drove him to work and risk his life far more than the others. It is providential that at his early age, Manny was able to see his natural talent for boxing. The world is fortunate that Manny has pursued this talent with such fervor and dedication despite the odds. Otherwise, we could not have seen the classic fights he had.
But it is beginning to dawn on us that Manny’s biggest fight may not happen in the ring and he will not be fighting against those great pound for pound boxers. With Murad Muhammad and company at the other corner, Manny’s fight may prove to be a fight against the exploitation of boxers, regardless of race and weight. His battle will be drawn against those who feed upon the ignorance and poverty of the boxers. Against those who in the name of God, prey upon boxers who have placed their trust on people unworthy.
After those punishing rounds in his fight with Morales, with one eye shut closed by the gushing forth of crimson blood, the public wants to know the answer to the question –
Why was Manny Pacquiao left holding an empty bag in the proceeds of the pay per view?
It is a question of justice and fairness. The answer is a cry against exploitation and betrayal.
Lawyers may debate this issue in terms of legalese. But to any person with a sense of justice and fairness, it will be very clear that the one who worked harder should have been paid more. Manny Pacquiao inflicted upon himself the sacrifices and rigors of training. Manny Pacquiao risked his life fighting the best there is in the game that had claimed a number of precious lives. He shed blood. He endured the punishment. He fought with honor and glory. As between Manny Pacquiao and Murad Muhammad, the boxer definitely laid more on the table than Murad. The fight profited from the PPV because people wanted to see the valor of Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales. I have yet to meet somebody who wants to pay just to see Murad. We, the boxing fans, got what we paid for and more. But Manny Pacquiao, after those brutal rounds did not get what he rightfully deserves. This kind of exploitation and betrayal offends everyone who loves boxing. It is almost the story of a boxer long gone who died and was forgotten a broken man.
It is not the PacMan’s fault to be unfamiliar with boxing contracts. He is unversed in the legalese. Hence, he makes decisions based on trust on people he believed he can rely on. For a man who lived fatherless for years of his daily existence, it is natural for him to put his trust on people who claimed to be his adopted father and guardian. However, for people to exploit this personal weakness is utter cruelty and viciousness. To betray his affection and confidence is an affront to the dignity of every man. To invoke the name of the Supreme Being to get a promotional contract is a plain blasphemy which in the Middle Ages would have merited capital punishment.
Losing a boxing bout may be painful. But this pain is nothing compared to the one inflicted by the hands of people Manny has trusted and has loved. While we rejoice with excitement in the brutality of this game, we share no glory in the exploitation of the boxer who gave it all to satiate our thirst for controlled violence.
Thus, Manny’s fight against Murad, et al. is a fight not of a boxer alone. It is a fight of every boxer in the world who stakes his life in the ring and of every boxing fan who wants to see the glory and honor of men in this game called the “sweet science”.
