Normally when a Mexican prizefighter enters the ring, his faithful Mexican fans will be standing, the music will be playing, and the pride of their nations hero will enter the ring beaming with appreciation. When Julio Cesar Chavez would enter the ring, you would see exactly that. When Erick Morales, or Marco Antonio Barrera entered the ring, you knew exactly where his fans were. So where does Oscar De La Hoya’s fan allegiance lay?
Over the years, Oscar has had some trouble winning over the Mexican fans south of the Rio Grande River. It is true that Oscar was born in East Los Angeles, California making him a Mexican American. Obviously if he were born south of the river he too would be the recipient as was Barrera, and Morales of the native Mexican love. Of course the beating that he gave to Julio Cesar Chavez didn’t earn him many points with the native Mexican fans either.
So, in comes Manny Pacquiao. There is no debate on how loyal his fans are both in the PI, and in America. Pacquiao’s fans are extremely loyal, almost to the point of being real fanatics. Fanatics is exactly where the word (fan) comes from, and the Filipino’s surely exemplify the word. Mexican boxing fans know the game well, and they appreciate the warriors mentality in the ring. So that would explain clearly why Manny Pacquiao is winning over more and more Mexican fans.
I was in a Mexican restaurant the other day, and I was wearing a Manny Pacquiao shirt that Dennis Guillermo (boxing writer) made for me. A Mexican waitress approached me and said, ?Hey I know who that is. That’s Manny Pacquiao, he’s the one who beats all of our fighters.? I laughed and told her, ‘ Yes, he’s beaten quite a few of them, are you a boxing fan?’ She replied, ?I only watch boxing when Manny Pacquiao fights, because he fights like one of us, a true Mexican warrior.? I asked her who she would be cheering for when Manny fights Oscar De La Hoya, and she replied, ? I will be routing for Manny Pacquiao, Oscar isn’t a true Mexican.?
Now, I hardly believe that the majority of Mexican fans feel the same way as the waitress does, however, it is true that Pacquiao has cracked into some of the Mexican allegiance. Manny does fight like many of the legendary Mexican champions. He comes forward, and does not have a reverse gear within him. When Manny gets hit, his instincts kick in and he automatically wants to hit his opponent back 3 times more.
It will be interesting to see who’s fans outnumber one another when the fight gets here later in December. Will it be the Filipino faithful, or will it be the Mexican American fans pulling for De La Hoya? Or will De La Hoya’s Native Mexican fans come out to even the playing field? Time will tell…..
