Manny Lopez, Manny Pacquiao and Manny V. Pangilinan joined hands yesterday, and gave amateur boxing a big, big shot in the arm.
Lopez, who heads the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, made sure that his top boxers were in full force welcoming the two VIPs in their humble gym at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
While the boxers as well as their coaches listened, Pacquiao, the great boxer, talked about this year?s SEA Games. Then Pangilinan, the sports-minded businessman, talked about next year?s Olympics.
Pacquiao delivered an inspirational message to the boxers who may all be dreaming of becoming the next Pacquiao.
?All you need is the determination and discipline. And each time you climb the ring, always think about winning, nothing else, whoever the opponent is,? said Pacquiao, who was once part of ABAP.
?Never be afraid. Never think that your opponent is or could be better than you. Always think of yourself as the winner,? added Pacquiao.
Members of the RP team are scheduled to leave Monday for the SEA Games in Thailand where they will be hard-pressed to match or duplicate their shining performance in the 2005 Manila SEA Games.
Up next after the biennial competition are the last two qualifying tournaments for the Beijing Olympics, the first in Thailand in January and the second in Kazakhstan in March.
Light-flyweight Harry Tanamor was the only boxer who made it to Beijing during the first qualifying tournament, the World Championships in Chicago, recently.
?We have two more chances. We hope we could send four or five more boxers to the Beijing Olympics to join Tanamor The short-term goal is to maximize the number or boxers who will vie in the Olympics,? said MVP.
?We are hoping to win just even one gold medal in the Olympics. Then we will work with Manny Lopez for a long-term program for amateur boxing. That?s the goal,? he added.
