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Philippines, 23 Dec 2024 |
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Pacquiao Truly the People's Champ PhilBoxing.com Tue, 31 Jan 2006  Boxing has Champions, always has and always will. We have WBO, WBA, even OPBF and NABO Champs. You want champs; we've got all kinds of them. From the Juan Manuel Marquez, a real champ without a belt, to the Pongsaklek Wonjongkam real belt but not a true champ type. Boxing has never been and will never be short of champions. However, last Saturday's crowning of Super Featherweight King Manny Pacquiao has given boxing a true diamond in the rough. Unlike any other current boxing champions today, Manny Pacquiao not only has a regular fan base and some boxing aficionados to keep happy; instead Pacquiao has a pressure upon him that no other boxer today could rival. Sure, Bernard Hopkins has the pride of Philly to defend. While Jermain Taylor is backed by all of Arkansas, but combine the two and add what Lennox Lewis was to the United Kingdom in his prime, you'll still fall short of what Manny Pacquiao means to his beloved Philippines. Pacquiao's status in his country is unmatched by any other sports figure world wide. What David Beckam is to the UK, and Michael Jordan to the US, Manny is even more to the Philippine people. Barring a few lost souls every man, woman and child in the Philippines are proud of the honor Pacquiao's accomplishments bring to their country. So much so that it even prompted a call from many politicians to name the day of his return to the Philippines after his latest victory a National holiday, Manny Pacquiao Day. His charming personality has crossed over scores of international boxing fans, prompting them to root for Pacquiao, even if it's against one of their own. With as many great native Mexican boxers that Mexican fans of the sport have to choose from, you still see a resounding amount of them showing support for Pacquiao. To many of them, he is a guy that's hard not to like, in or out of the ring. What Pacquiao lacks in technical ability and defensive prowess, he makes up with the power of a 130lb David Tua and all the heart of Jorge Arce. Pacquiao is the type of fighter that attracts new fans to our sport, his style inside of the ring and willingness to get into the ring with the most dangerous fighters in the sport is unparalleled today. They came from all over to fill half of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. From the Philippines to Washington DC to just around the corner in Millbrae, California, loyal Pacquiao fans put their lives on hold to make the trek in support of their idol. Many are calling last Saturday's 10th round TKO of future hall of famer Erik 'El Terrible' Morales, redemption to Pacquiao's status as the best Featherweight in the world. His win against Morales may not have been as dominant of a performance as his absolute annihilation of Marco Antonio Barrera back in November of 2003, but the way last Saturday's Morales-Pacquiao II battle played out; left those watching in no doubt of whom is the man to beat in the Featherweight divisions. Getting revenge from his defeat at the hands of Morales in March of last year, not only took months of hard work and preparation but also perfect execution of his genius coach Freddie Roach's game plan. Morales if you will, is a fighting man?€™s fighter. Morales' fortitude is one that has made those willing to challenge him reach into deeper and darker places of themselves just to have enough to be able to finish the fight trading punches and standing. Erik Morales fought valiantly in his rematch with Pacquiao, winning most of the early rounds until the new and improved Pacquiao's determination and flawless execution was too much for even Morales to handle. Like a warrior fighting for his soul, Morales refused to give up. Battling back with all his heart, Morales gave everything he had left inside, leaving absolutely nothing in the ring. In the 10th round it finally happened; at first he was shocked and then he felt it, he finally felt it. For what was truly the first time in his remarkable career, Erik Morales found himself on all fours. The look on Morales' face brought back memories of the movie Gladiator, as if he knew that he prepared to get up for what was the last time in the fight. Referee Kenny Bayless counted what was the most profound 10 count ever, fitting for the situation at hand as the arena went into a frenzy. Stopping midway through 9, Bayless allowed Morales, on his weak and wobbly legs to continue. Like a bloody bull exhausted from his lethal dance with a Matador, Morales stood up and finished his battle on heart alone; almost bringing some to tears as they witnessed his display of unending courage for his fans. Nonetheless, the moment was Pacquiao's who once again gave boxing fans something to look forward to and truly enjoy as their own. Those who know him will tell you that Pacquiao would be the same person whether he was the boxing superstar that he is or simply an usher working at the fight. His personality has seemingly gone untouched, his humbleness and eagerness to make those around him laugh unchanged through the many financial ladders he has climbed over the past decade. The manner in which he carries himself although it exudes confidence of his ability in the ring, give no indication that this simple devout Catholic man believes he is any better than anyone else in the room. In celebrating his victory over Morales, Pacquiao shook the hand of the First Gentlemen with the same appreciation and respect as the hand of a simple front desk clerk, who was grateful simply to be in his presence. So as this true ambassador of the sport sits atop the Featherweight throne, one wonders what great things still lay ahead for Pacquiao. To leave no doubt of his ability and place in boxing history, a rematch and victory over Juan Manuel Marquez seems the most necessary. Although financially, a reiterating victory in a rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera would make more sense. It would leave the most die hard and stubborn of Mexican fans at a final loss of words; proving to them once and for all that out of all the great Mexican featherweights today (which are many), none are better than Pacquiao. After their first meeting Marco Antonio Barrera blamed his demoralizing loss at the hands of Pacquiao to minor brain surgery that he had 16 fights and 7 years prior to his date Manny. Barrera's fans will tell you as many excuses as Pacquiao's fans did after his first loss to Morales. But much unlike Pacquiao who begged and pleaded for a rematch with Morales, to prove that those excuses where in fact truth; Marco Antonio Barrera had remained full of excuses until just a few weeks ago when suddenly he now wanted to grant Pacquiao a rematch. However, what Mr. Barrera and his promoter Oscar De la Hoya must realize is that Pacquiao does not need the rematch nearly as bad as Mr. Barrera should want it. Undefeated Flyweight Vic Darchinyan flew to Cancun this weekend, to the site of the Jorge Arce vs. Adonis Rivas bout, in order to petition Arce in person, to accept a fight against him, a true showing of persistence that has never been seen from Barrera in regards to a rematch supposedly wants with Pacquiao. Marco Antonio Barrera is the one who should want to prove that his loss to Pacquiao in November of 2003 was a fluke. However Barrera's lack of action seem to show that although he may never admit it, when he lays down to sleep at night, he knows that as great a boxer as he is November 15, 2003 was no fluke at all. Though all three will end up in the same hall of fame at some point, the difference between the type of Champion Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao are compared to that of Marco Antonio Barrera, will be evident until Mr. Barrera takes it upon himself to prove it otherwise; Showing himself and his fans, in actions not words, that he truly wants a rematch. You can reach the author at TuasDad@hotmail.com. Click here for a complete listing of columns by this author. Click here for a complete listing of this author's articles from different news sources. |
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