BOXING KEEPS CALLING OUT TO PACQUIAO After Pacquiao’s win against Keith Thurman in 2019, many were unsure what was next for the Filipino ring icon. Having just signed with Al Haymon’s Premier Champions suggests that there would be at least 2 more fights for the Filipino. But the pandemic disrupted all plans and it became a race against time. As the only 8-division champion turned 42 years old in December of 2020, retirement seemed to be a very viable option. Notably, Pacquiao settled into his senatorial obligations when Covid-19 hit and this fueled speculations that retirement from boxing was imminent. He doubled up his efforts to provide aid and comfort to ailing Filipinos through his foundation. He was very visible, personally distributing relief goods to those who needed help. Pacquiao was also very engaged in any legislation, issue and problem in connection with the pandemic. Despite all these roles he is now playing outside the ring, the boxing world continues to call out for one of its own. In late 2020, with a surprise move, Pacquiao signed a promotional contract with Paradigm Promotions, the same group handling the affairs of Universal Fighting Championships superstar Conor McGregor. Naturally, this sparked rumors for a Pacquiao -McGregor match up reported to be held in Dubai. Soon after, the names of World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Errol Spence Jr. (27-0) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Terence Crawford (37-0) started to float. Boxing was clamoring for Pacquiao to fight. If the lure is not enough, the WBA, where Pacquiao was champion, announced that the future hall-of- famer was demoted to a “designated champion in recess” for inactivity. A subtle message perhaps, that says that he needs to fight soon. Mikey Garcia (40-1-0) and Danny Garcia (36-3-0), both top welterweight contenders, are falling in line for a chance at the now legendary boxer. Even the 21-year-old Ryan Garcia (21-0), despite the disparity in weight class, is running after him. Many say it is the warrior in each fighter or it is just the nature of the sport, which boxers just cannot seem to stop boxing. Because of this, many of Pacquiao’s supporters are concerned for his safety that there is a silent clamor asking him to hang up his gloves. LEARNINGS FROM ALI The tragic end of Muhammad Ali’s career is still fresh in the memory of boxing fans. “The Greatest” as he dubbed himself, continued to fight even after doctors have advised him to retire. Ali was popular in and outside the ring. He was an activist, entertainer, musician, writer and philanthropist. His persona was larger than life so much so fans oftentimes could not separate the boxer from the man. Late in his career, Ali was beaten by a much younger and lighter Leon Spinks in what many say should have been his last fight. But, for reasons only understood by him, Ali prepared for a rematch and wrested the heavyweight crown for the third time. Ali then announced his retirement in July of 1979 only to comeback just over a year to fight the then champion Larry Holmes, his former sparring partner. It was reported that Ali was fighting because he needed the money and Holmes did not want the fight. Many already knew that Ali was too weak and old to face him. But everyone wanted to see Ali. Despite all the evidence against fighting again, everyone including Ali turned a blind eye and chose to believe that he could still fight.
