The March 13th fight between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey represents more than just a fight between the “pound for pound” best fighter in the world and a tough opponent. “The Event” also represents two fighters who are heroically beloved by their homelands. They bleed the colors of their respective flags. But if Ghana has Clottey and the Philippines have Pacquiao then who does America have?
Joshua Clottey “The whole of Ghana is throwing its full support behind Joshua Clottey” Nick Giongco of the Manila Bulletin. To the African country of Ghana, Clottey has become a hero. His fellow countrymen treat this fight as a monumental occasion, according to Clottey, “In my country, this fight is big. It hasn’t even started yet. The fight is getting bigger and bigger in Ghana.” (source: Digital Journal)
Manny Pacquiao By now, we can all attest to the love and support that the Filipinos show Manny Pacquiao. In my opinion, it’s reached levels of mythical proportions. Pacquiao is the “poster boy” for what an athlete means to a country. Here’s an excerpt from ABS-CBN News report “RP goes wild over Pacquiao’s historic win”
Millions of Filipinos erupted into a frenzy of joy Sunday following the victory of People’s Champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in a fight that brought the nation to a standstill. Pacquiao fans and supporters were glued to their television sets while others gathered in malls, basketball courts, restaurants and bars to watch the fight on wide screens. They cheered and screamed every time the Filipino boxing icon landed a punch on Cotto. Even petty criminals took the day off, officials said, and soldiers fighting militants in the south silenced their guns for the bout.
Criminals, soldiers, and militants all stopped to watch Pacquiao fight. Please, someone tell me another athlete in this world that has an effect the size of this magnitude on a country.
America Just reading the previous excerpt gave me chills. But, it makes me ask the question: if Ghana has Clottey and the Philippines have Pacquiao then who does America have. David Santos of Natomas,CA says “America doesn’t have a boxer that we all can get behind or cheer for”. And, David is absolutely right. This country doesn’t have a boxer that unifies a nation. Let’s take a look at arguably the most popular American boxer today and see if he fits the billing.
Floyd Mayweather Jr, to many people, represents all the bad things about America. He’s selfish, greedy, arrogant, cocky, and condescending. He rather glorify himself than the sport or the people that give him the opportunity to box. There’s absolutely no way that this guy can unify a nation.
Mayweather is arguably the most popular current American boxer in the country and half the people can’t even stand him. Steve Watson of Sacramento says “I can’t stand this guy. He avoids the tough fights and he cares nothing about the sport or the fans”. So, if the most popular American boxer is nixed from the equation then who is left to represent this great land?
