Getting caught up in the mundane details?who will he fight next, how much is his purse?is something we are all guilty of.
But I?ve come to realize that the boxing schedule and paydays of Manny Pacquiao obscure his real importance above and beyond the sports world.
The Pinoy Idol is amazingly unique in his desire to lift his beloved country and its people up beyond what he can accomplish in the ring.
He ran for political office once and was stopped by Dazzling Darlene. But the fire in the belly of Pacman to become a public servant still burns and he is laying the roots, the groundwork, for another campaign for elective office in 2010.
There is even a fan petition urging him to abandon his political plans. There are Pacman fans, and I can understand this, who want their hero to stick to his knitting. They know he is in the absolute prime of his exceptional career and they believe another political foray can only take away from his boxing career.
I agree with that notion. I disagree with Bob Arum. I understand Uncle Bob?s position.
He plays the kindly, permissive grandfather who says, ?Sure, Manny, do what you want.?
Then he tells inquiring minds, ?Manny can do both, be a fighter and a politician. Manny can juggle it. Manny?s political work is part-time. Political people in the Philippines tell me it?s no problem.?
So Yes Man Arum takes the word of Yes Men sycophants.
While I note that is phenomenal that Manny is being urged by a segment of the public not to dirty his hands in politics, I have to also remark that no one ever had to say that to any American sport superstar I can think of.
Come on Michael Jordan, don?t run for Governor of Illinois.
Hey Tiger Woods, don?t become a Florida legislator.
No, no, Kobe Bryant, you don?t want to be Mayor of Los Angeles.
Are you sure you wish to be the President of Mexico, Julio Cesar Chavez?
In this country, sports superstars stay with the money until there is no more.
Our other rich beyond belief entertainers, and that?s what athletes are after all, are more of the same.
An icon like Jordan, at the peak of his popularity, steered clear of politics for economic reasons. Or, as he put so bluntly in reference to his Nike affiliation, he stayed away from politics ?because Republicans buy sneakers, too.?
When all is said and done for Pacquiao in boxing, he will rank as one of the greatest fighters.
But that will seem like a small thing, really, compared to his symbolism to his country.
Political office will eventually dilute Manny?s hero status somewhat. Pols don?t get universal love.
But he doesn?t belong to boxing or politics anymore.
Manny Pacquiao belongs to social studies and to the history of his nation.
No boxing match, not even a victory over Floyd Mayweather Jr., will ever rank as high.
Pacquiao has gone from the boxing magazines to the history books.
That?s what makes him truly special.
