These days, the least of 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao’s worries is the absence of a world title belt around his waist or next to his name, for as long as he is yielding a bible in his hand. The controversial loss to new WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley doesn’t bother him. In fact, Pacquiao has more than moved on from his June 9 loss and tells his supporters to do the same. “Past is past,” Pacquiao says. It’s the current state of mind of the Philippines’ boxing icon who is on the decline. Yes. Pacquiao, who turns 34 this November, is definitely past is prime. And thanks to his aggressive fighting style, coupled by his lifestyle and many distractions, Pacquiao is progressing with his descent at a faster pace that his fans would’ve liked. The real question is: “How much has Pacquiao declined?”
Show business, politics, and religion: these are the things that occupy Pacquiao’s time, energy and attention, when his mind is away from boxing, something that happens more often now than ever before. But of all his distractions, some are now saying, that the most recent one he has picked up, may be the most dangerous of all for both his boxing career and his pockets.
Pacquiao’s fascination with religions and bible study has attracted a new set of leeches around him. Though having leeches around him is not necessarily a new concept, these new bible-quoting ones have allegedly taken it to a new level.
?They are making our boxing idol a milking cow. The real Manny Pacquiao doesn?t know how to say no. But if they are real disciples of God, they should be ashamed of what they are doing,? a source was quoted by Inquirer Mindanao.
Yes. Pacquiao no longer rolls with some questionable characters in his old entourage, but a new set of scoundrels have emerged to take their place, seemingly demanding more of his time and assets than the others before them.
?He asked for 36 tickets in the Pacquiao-Bradley fight. The guy got what he wanted,? the source said.
?I was the one so ashamed when he asked Manny Pacquiao to get eight hotel rooms for his family in the US,? the source added.
According to the Inquirer source, it was the first time that someone asked for 36 tickets and eight hotel rooms from the boxing champ.
posted on Inquirer Mindanao
And it’s not just a question of monetary donations and handouts, Pacquiao’s time and focus is also being sucked into his newfound obsession. A trusted Team Pacquiao confidante at ringside during Pacquiao-Bradley told me immediately after the fight’s decision was announced that pastors who hung out in Pacquiao’s hotel room the night before the fight, and previous nights before that, deserve blame for him slowing down in the latter rounds.
“They kept him up until around 9:30 pm last night. They didn’t leave until about midnight on Thursday. These people have no shame,” he told me.
How Pacquiao wants to spend his time and money is really his prerogative, but to watch his legendary career go down at the undoing of people with their own agendas is a crime his fans are definitely concerned about. “I know several people read you articles. We have to save our precious ‘National Treasure’ from these blood suckers soon before it’s too late,” wrote a reader, who is obviously disturbed by news regarding his idol.
Be is as it may, this is nothing new in the world of Manny Pacquiao. Here’s hoping this sports Cinderella story has a “happily ever after” ending, and not repeat tragedies that befell boxers like Mike Tyson and many others before him.
