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Philippines, 17 May 2024 |
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OUTSIDE, LOOKING IN: FILIPINOS DESERVE TO WATCH THE PACQUIAO-BRADLEY FIGHT By Eddie Alinea PhilBoxing.com Thu, 10 Mar 2016  GENERAL SANTOS CITY ? Sports, as in other human activity, needs a hero. one who would serve as inspiration to the poorest of the poor and the downtrodden that there's still life beyond where they're presently holed in. One who would serves a reminder to the rich and powerful that their present status is only temporary and that everything will go into thin air in blink of an eye. One who is capable of bringing the fragmented society into one nation with one soul , one spirit and one goal. The Philippines, who survived under the rules of foreign governments and diversified cultures for more than five centuries had been in search of the man that would fit the the description for years to no avail until boxer Manny Pacquiao came. For more than a decade since bringing to this shore the World Boxing Council flyweight championship at the expense of Thai pretender Chatchai Sasakul, whom he forced into submission via an 8th round knockout in their matchup for the title on December 14, 1998, Pacquiao has proven himself worthy of those virtues. Since then, Pacquiao rose from the deep poverty with his mother Aling Dionisia and siblings in establishing himself as king of the entire boxing world, crowning himself world champion 10 times in eight weight categories, the only man on earth to have done so in the history of the sweet science. And in the process, at a frequency of two times a year and even thrice, the Kibawe, Bukidnon-born kid who was raised and grew up in General Santos City in South Cotabato, has been holding this nation of now 100 million as one every time he fights. Those scenarios will again be repeated when the Filipino ring superhero steps into the ring anew on April 9 to battle unbeaten American Timothy Bradley for the third time in a welterweight offering by Top Rank Promotions at the posh MGM Arena Grand in Las Vegas. Unless the Commission on Elections intervenes by giving credence to a petition filed by senatorial candidate seeking the stoppage of the 12-round showdown or prohibiting its showing here on a flimsy reason that it will give the Pambansang Kamao, who himself is running as senator in May's political exercise, undue advantage by way of broadcast and print media advertisements. Whatever will be the outcome of such petition, no one can dispute the fact that the father of five children with wife, Sarangani Vice Gov. Jinkee, has undoubtedly, the only man that possesses the charm, character and charismatic power to unite this nation's long-suffering from division of divergent causes. He had a 22-1-2 win-loss-draw record when he first fought in the United States, sending South African Lehlohonolo Ledwaba to dreamland in only six rounds as a substitute opponent to win the International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight crown in what actually keyed off his march to stardom that made the country and countrymen proud to be identified as Filipinos. He climbed the rectangular arena 30 more times following that, winning 26 and losing four, including the last against arch-enemy Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year and each time he continuously held the country and people, including the 12 million more working overseas, spellbound. No single individual, not even the 17 presidents the Filipinos elected to alternately took turns in governing the archipelago of 7,107 islands lying across the Western Pacific Ocean succeeded in what the now Sarangani Congressman had. All major thoroughfares in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao virtually stopped with only a few taking to the roads whenever her fights The military and rebels go to undeclared ceasefire with many from the mountains trekking down the lowlands and join the erstwhile enemies in public gymnasiums, open town plazas or improvised auditoriums where Pacquiao?s fights are shown. Last year, Pacquiao was able to unite all the giant local television networks to join hands in covering the biggest fight in boxing history against Mayweather. The Filipino ring sensation, likewise, proved that his influence and convincing power are not confined to his countrymen. He also made warring TV international networks to join efforts in presenting the fight to as many people possible worldwide. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.  |
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