There is more than one reason as to why Manny Pacquiao has been so important for the sport of boxing. And it has nothing to do regarding a potential fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Manny Pacquiao is the face of boxing right now, and that will continue, with or without a win over Shane Mosley Saturday evening.
There are the fights, promotional deals, exposure, and a following that is tough to compare. Boxing is a topic of discussion when Manny Pacquiao comes to fight. In the span of the past ten years, with the exception of possibly Mayweather, or Mike Tyson, boxing seems to get attention when Pacquiao is involved.
?I never thought I could achieve what I have,? he said Tuesday when he arrived at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the site for his welterweight title defense against Shane Mosley. ?My dreams before were to help and sacrifice for my mother and family helping us to survive.?
Once a kid with aspirations, he has a house in an exclusive neighborhood of the Philippines. The neighborhood is known as Laguna where his children attend private schools. However, money and success have not changed the eight-division champion as the people will say, ?Manny Pacquiao has not changed. He is with us.?
And, indeed, Pacquiao is a proud legislative leader on the island that he still calls home. He continues to help his people in between the continuation of becoming a part of boxing history. ?I?m sure some are jealous of my success, and I can?t blame them,? he says referring to the few who probably don?t understand what Manny Pacquiao means to the Philippines and the sport of boxing.
?I don?t try to compare what I?ve achieved in boxing,? he says. ?I?m just happy to contribute to the history of boxing. My best memory is, probably knowing that my fights make fans happy.? So true, as there does not have to be further documentation that Pacquiao draws fans and is quickly surpassing Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya in pay-per-view buys.
There is the positive aspect that comes when Top Rank and Bob Arum portray the image of Pacquiao. He is a diplomat, a positive part of the sport that is rarely seen with a high profiled fighter. When Mayweather speaks about Pacquiao being the one who is scared, ?Pacman? as he is known relatively stays silent.
He leaves the fighting words to Arum, and all the other trusted advisors at Top Rank. The buildup for this fight with Mosley finally picked up momentum a week before the fight. Because there has not been much to say, with the only story line being that Mosley could see his first knockout coming at the hands of Pacquiao.
And a win for Pacquiao continues to cement his name in the annals of boxing history. There is not much left to accomplish, but face Mayweather to decide who indeed is pound-for-pound the best.
Here this from Pacquiao and understand why he is a valuable commodity for the sport and it?s not all about the money, or about the ego. ?It?s an honor to hear that Mike Tyson says I?m one of his idols because he?s one of my idols too,? says Pacquiao.
?I remember watching Shane Mosley when he fought De La Hoya. I?ve always respected his ability and I know I can?t underestimate him,? says Pacquiao. I?m most impressed by his hand and foot speed. Lots of people criticize him but he has trained very hard for this fight and he wants to prove he is still good and still strong.?
Respect for his 39-year old challenger. And for boxing a champion like Pacquiao who will be missed when his gloves are enshrined in the Boxing Hall of Fame.
