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Philippines, 20 May 2024 |
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PACMAN IN AMERICA -- PART FIVE Continuing the Family Tradition By Jay Villar PhilBoxing.com Sun, 17 Jun 2007  The first time I saw the name Pacquiao was back in 98 when I was browsing the internet, trying to update myself in Pinoy boxing. I've been a boxing fan since I was a kid. My now deceased father loved the sport, so did my older brother. The Philippines' free boxing on the tube help a lot to support this family passion. I've seen fights of Ali during his last few years and I'm a big fan of Sugar Ray Leonard. But most of all, our very own fighters during my time kept me interested and cheering. Rolando Navarette was the local hero I rooted for. Dodie Boy, a legend capturing two titles, pinoy's first. Rolando Bohol and Pretty Boy Lucas supplied the enthusiasm fire. Then suddenly nothing happened after that. There was nobody to cheer for anymore. Moving to the States didn't help either. Sometimes I would hear the Espinosa name, but that's it. I was occupied in adjusting to this new place, this new country. It was great! A WBC Filipino Flyweight Champion! The site listed champions and contenders. I printed the page, kept it, looking at it several more times. The internet was young, the only access I had was at work, and it was limited. I didn't know the schedules, but I happened to glance on HBO one time and there it was "pakiyaw" said the commentator. I must have missed a few fights because by then he was the IBF superbantamweight champion. It was against a burly Agapito Sanchez, a WBO champion. I couldn’t help but notice Pacquiao's colored hair. It was quite unusual for a Filipino boxer. The fight went on and I did not see Pacquiao's full potential. He was being fouled from every angle. It was frustrating, I wanted to go in the ring and hit Agapito in the crotch. Judging from the fight that I just saw, I was not impressed. But I thought he's young, early 20's, I'll see him again. I taped the fight and shared it to a Dominican co-worker of mine. Conversations didn't really go anywhere, there was nobody and nowhere to talk to about boxing. A year or two had passed, I saw a scheduled next fight for the kid Pacquiao. It was November 15, 2003 against Barrera. I marked my calendar for that occasion. From what I knew back then, Barrera was a legend pound for pound fighter who fought top guys in his division. Pacquiao had a slim chance but I wouldn't miss to see a pinoy fight on HBO. And there it was, the dismantling of Barrera. I was so esctatic, I began talking about Pacquiao to those who would listen. I was a member of this car site, the first forum I have registered for months back, when I began posting about what happened in the fight that I saw. Sadly only one had responded. It was a caucasian member who frequented the Philippines. Nobody else knew what I was talking about, not even the Filipino members. I began searching the net when I found the Marco Antonio Barrera forum. I was just a lurker, reading pinoy members posts like those of miron_lang and Torvix. That was where I also found the Mannypacquiao.ph. I registered and began posting. I must have watched the Pacquiao-Barrera fight 50 times. Half of them with my then barely 2 year old son Jarvis. He began loving to watch Pacquiao and boxing. "Papa ako si Pacquiao, ikaw si Barrera ha?" He would start punching my palm like it had mitts on it. He never got tired of watching it and so did I. Every time my wife would come home from work she would catch us watching. "Pacquiao na naman?" 
Pacquiao (R) sent Marquez to the canvas three times in the first round during their 2004 encounter. 
Marquez (L) went on to outbox Pacquiao in most of the remaining rounds starting from the 2nd round on to earn a controversial draw. Top photo: Pacquiao (R) and Sanchez fought to a technical draw in a foul-infested contest in 2001. Another fight was coming up for Pacquiao, it was with the dreaded counter puncher Marquez. This time the whole family was into it. I had told them countless stories about Manny. And as time progressed, I didn't need to. Pacman as they now call him was all over the Filipino channel and newspapers. Pinoy pride at it's best. I had to see him fight live. The first chance I got was his fight with Velasquez. Pacman did not dissappoint. He made a 6 hour home drive from Los Angeles easy. I was also fortunate to see Manny fight Morales in their 3rd match. A great night in Las Vegas. Filipinos honking their horns waving the Philippine flag. Pacquiao had opened the doors for others. Through him I learned who else is making waves in Philippine boxing. Now every Filipino in America knows the name of Pacquiao. Even Filipina co-workers would surprisingly order Pacman's payperview. They don't know anything about boxing yet they would still pay to see him. This is how Pacquiao won the hearts of the Filipinos here in the States. There will never be anything like it, not in my lifetime I think. So I cherish every moment to be proud of it. Thanks Manny. Editor's note: Jay Villar is one of Pacland Forum moderators who goes by the handle 'Chups'. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jay Villar.  |
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