Everyone is ridding on Manny Pacquiao victory: corrupt politicians, an unpopular president, television networks, fast food franchises, telecoms and sports apparel brands. You can too.
However, it?s not as easy as it looks. Here are a few tips to avoid looking like Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel M?rquez, ?rik Morales, Oscar Larios, Jorge Solis or Oscar de la Hoya?which is to say pummeled, battered and blue.
? Don?t pick a fight with a Mexican. Pacquiao you ain?t. Those guys are big. Unlike most Filipinos, a lot of Mexican actually have Spanish blood and benefit from a protein rich diet just like their gringo neighbors, making them bigger and burlier than us. To their credit, it was only mostly Mexican who were good enough to deserve a match with Pacquiao. And even if you had his fighting skills (you wish), you don?t have the Pacman?s day job. You won?t be earning $15 to $30 million for risking life, limb and dignity. And even the ever-humble and magnanimous Pacquiao takes pains to clarify that he?s no ?Mexican killer.? It?s strictly professional for the man.
? Don?t enter politics. That fight knocked even Pacquiao down. And it?s one dirty job. If you don?t believe, just look at all the hangers-on around Pacquiao trying to benefit from his fame. Such leaches. But then again, if you have the moral fiber that?s as tough as Pacquiao?s fist, perhaps you?re exactly what government needs. Can you be the Pacquiao of politics and good governance? Get in the ring.
? Don?t sing. I know; people actually bought a whole lot of his albums. But unless you can strum a guitar with boxing gloves, don?t even bother.
? Don?t do yoyo diets. The man endures massive weight gain and loss just to get into the same ring as his targets. Unless you have trainer Freddy Roach to make sure you?re as fast and as furious, don?t.
? Don?t parade in your underwear. Yes, the man is ripped. And, yes, no one has the guts to tell the man in his face that it ain?t cool no matter how chiseled his body is. But the man is paid big bucks by his sponsors just to flash his endorsed brand of undies. And it?s psyche warfare on his opponent. There?s a method to the man?s brief exposure. On anybody else it just looks too gigolo.
