To describe Manny “The Destroyer” Pacquiao as being at the top of the world does not do justice to his career. Pacquiao stands firmly astride two distinct pinnacles; maintaining his balance between the two may become increasingly difficult.
First, Pacquiao is at the top of the boxing world. A world champion at two different weights, (112 and 122 pounds), he currently is the consensus best fighter in a third, the junior lightweight division.
Pacquiao, a southpaw, scored a November 2003 victory over Marco Antonio Barrera, starching the Mexican two-division champ with a straight left in the third, en route to an 11th round KO. He employs an exciting, brawling style, relentlessly attacking with both hands in bunches, making use of his punching power, which is extraordinary for a lighter weight fighter.
In January of this year, he brutally defeated Erik Morales, a three-division champion and at the time considered pound-for-pound one of the best in the sport. Flooring Morales twice en route to a 10th round TKO to avenge his earlier loss, Pacquiao made Morales appear to suddenly get old in front of our eyes.
Last month, Pac-Man took a tough 12 round decision from another Mexican champion, former junior featherweight titlist Oscar Larios. So great were expectations for Manny, some criticized him for failing to knock out Larios. Pacquiao is now preparing for his third fight with Morales, slated for November 11th in Las Vegas.
Let us pause to consider the 130-pound weight class. I don’t mean to start an argument, but a reasonable boxing fan might rank the top of this division thusly: 1) Pacquiao; 2) Barrera; 3) Morales; 4) Jorge Barrios; 5) Rocky Juarez. No disrespect meant to Edwin Valero or Vicente Mosquerra. The point is, on September 16th, #2 Barrera fights #5 Juarez; in November, #1 faces #3. The best fight the best. And we fans love it!
But there is also Pacquiao the celebrity. He is truly a hero of the Philippines, called by fans: ang Pambansang Kamao, “the National Fist.” Walk into any store in Manila, and you will see Manny’s face hawking laundry soap, beer, gin, ice cream, vinegar and socks. He is featured in McDonald’s commercials, and sings in a TV ad for a karaoke device.
If Manny wore a jacket with all of his endorsements represented, he would put a NASCAR (or Formula One) driver to shame. In fact, advertising patches displayed on his trunks for the second Morales fight netted at least $100,000 (5 million Philippine Pesos) as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
He frequently appears on television, as a guest on variety and interview shows, and occasionally acting in a soap opera. Recently a theatrical film telling his life story debuted; a sequel is planned featuring Pac-Man starring as himself.
Pacquiao has even dabbled in politics, recently protesting on behalf of ousted former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada, who is now imprisoned. After being awarded a Congressional Medal of Distinction, he recently suggested he might run for political office; Pac-Man certainly would lead any opponent in name recognition.
Pacquiao has multiplied his boxing fame many times over to become a huge mass media phenomenon. Think bigger than Michael Jordan at the peak of his game, but as the single world-renown sportsman representing an entire nation of 89 million.
His appeal transcends sport in the Philippines; when his bouts are televised, seemingly everyone in the nation is in front of a set transfixed; streets, highways and markets are deserted. As a local joke goes, even the burglars and thieves pass on the easy pickings available during a Pac-Man bout, out of respect for the national icon.
When Geno McGahee the Managing Editor of RSR gave me this assignment, I told him, “good, my passport is current, I can be ready to go to Manila at the end of the week, I’ll brush up on my Tagalog; set up an interview with Manny and his business advisors. Can I get a direct flight to Gen. Santos City? Should I book a First Class or Coach ticket?” He sighed, and slowly explained that jetting off to the Philippines for feature stories was currently beyond the RSR budget. Maybe next year.
Inevitably, the interests of Pacquiao the boxer and Pacquiao the cultural phenomenon clash at times, and as the endorsements and promotional chores mount, the balancing act to stay astride both worlds may become more difficult for the 27-year-old.
His American trainer, Freddie Roach, has voiced this concern. Leading up to Pacquiao’s July 2 bout with Oscar Larios, held in Manila, Roach traveled to The Philippines to personally convince Manny that he would be better served training in Los Angeles, at Roach’s Wild Card Gym. Why travel halfway round the world just to spar and condition? “There are just too many distractions here,” explained Roach to a Manila Bulletin newspaper reporter during a visit to check on his fighter.
The Freddie-Manny long-distance relationship has been a great success for both parties. Simultaneous with Pacquiao’s rise to the top, Roach has become one of the superstar trainers in the sport, as recognizable as most champion fighters.
But add to the mix of distractions, accusations of the boxer enjoying the nightlife and the ladies a little too much, a public battle last year between his business manager and his boxing manager for control of Pacquiao’s career, and the other various advisors and hangers on pulling and tugging at the fighter.
So last week, a report in the same Manila Bulletin that Pacquiao is considering early retirement, as soon as next year, may be a reflection of all these forces. Quoted in that paper, Pacquiao said, “Maybe after about two fights, I will retire already. I want to personally supervise my business ventures. It really makes a difference when one manages his own business.”
Protests of disbelief throughout the boxing world greeted this pronouncement. Manny also expressed the desire to enjoy his children and his middle age without suffering physical or mental disability from damage in the ring. Pacquiao must have specifically had in mind the cautionary tale of former great Rolando Navarette, a WBC Junior Lightweight Champion in the 80’s, also from General Santos City. Navarette once had fame, fortune and title belts; now he is broke, frequently in brushes with the law, physically debilitated, even reduced to begging.
So many demands and responsibilities could easily overwhelm the average 27-year-old man. The urge to get away from it all is understandable; but we know better than to take seriously the first (or second or tenth) retirement announcement from a professional boxer.
Walking the tightrope of success is always difficult; Pacquiao’s situation is particularly fraught with any number of factors that could cause him to stumble. His greatest challenge may be to remain sufficiently focused on training and boxing to continue to be the best. Roach has announced the plan for the third Morales fight the same formula as used leading up to the Larios fight: maintain conditioning in The Philippines with his local trainer Buboy Hernandez; work hard for six weeks in Los Angeles under Roach’s direct supervision immediately prior to the November 11th tilt.
Perhaps the greatest athlete ever in terms of winning championships, Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics used to have a familiar refrain. Russell often said ‘It’s harder to stay on top than winning a title; there is always a lot of pressure once you reach the top’ or words to that effect. (I don’t remember the exact quote.) Here’s hoping Manny continues to handle the pressure as well as he has to date.
