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Philippines, 09 Feb 2026 |
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"The Pinoy Golden Boy" By Pj Magno De Best PhilBoxing.com Tue, 09 Dec 2008 When I first heard about the fight between our very own Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya, I must admit I was very cynical about the possibility of a victory over the Goldenboy. I am a Filipino that would quietly back a fellow Filipino boxer in any bout they took but I seriously thought this was a mistake. I thought that the size, power and big fight experience would be too overwhelming for our champ to overcome. How I was very wrong. The lesson in Oscar's defeat is a lesson to the world; Never underestimate the heart and soul of a Filipino. All the advantages in the world couldn't defeat 91 million prayers on this very special night. As the Philippine anthem was sung, I held my wife's hand and sent out a small prayer for our champ. The internal battle between my heart and my mind was waging furiously. My prayer was to ask God for me to be wrong; "please let me be wrong"... And I was. I should have known the heart is never wrong. Manny destroyed Oscar in a one sided affair. Something that so many people throughout the world thought impossible (including myself). His furious non-stop punching style, mixed with a solid defense made for an all out relentless attack on boxing's poster boy. Manny didn't only defy all odds, he humbled if not humiliated prize fighting's biggest draw card. He busted Oscar up; he made him quit. He embarrassed him. Has the torch been passed? I definitely think so. Manny deserves to be acknowledged as boxing's biggest name. Manny is the "Pinoy Goldenboy"... Whoever he chooses to fight next better do there homework thoroughly; but even that may not help them much.  The little guy with the heart the size of the Philippines simply destroyed the big guy with all the advantages. I think Oscar should retire now for the sake of damage control. He wouldn't want to put more stains on his legacy. As for Manny, the world is his oyster. The once poor kid from General Santos cit turned superstar can do anything right now. He could go on to fight England's Ricky Hatton; He could lure Pretty Boy Floyd out of retirement or he could simply begin his Political desires. One thing for sure is that all critics should suspend their judgment on his next move. He has a habit of proving the experts wrong. The Philippines is a better country for having a son like Manny. Our divided nation comes together whenever he fights as one body; one identity. Even if its only for the length of a boxing bout, it still shows us all that we have some common ground with each other. Whether he will carry this influence into the realms of Politics I don't know, but one thing for sure is that I won't underestimate him. Like the text message my Lebanese friend from Australia sent me after the bout said, "What a fighter"... Click here to view a list of other articles written by Pj Magno De Best.  |
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