When International Boxing Federation junior featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao bucked overwhelming odds to annihilate legendary ?People?s Featherweight Champion? Marco Antonio Barrera, he punched his way into the hearts and homes of millions of adoring countrymen whose pride was given an incredible boost.
Not only did Pacquiao earn the respect of Barrera and the admiration of boxing writers, commentators and fight fans around the world, he thrilled Filipinos with the awesome power and incredible courage he demonstrated in the ring. The extreme sacrifices he made in training for the Barrera ?Clash of the Titans? was a measure of the young warrior?s grim determination to bring honor to himself and to restore the pride of our nation and people.
