I have never seen fans as passionate as those of Manny Pacquiao. Granted, I haven?t been around the game as long as some other seasoned old-school heads but nobody can deny the loyalty that from those who are faithful to the General Santos City fighter. In recent years the excitement and buzz surrounding Pacquiao has also grown as he has risen in weight while defeating a respectable list of quality opponents.
Any writer covering mainstream boxing can expect to have their work featured at least occasionally on the website aptly known as ?Pacland? (www.MannyPacquiao.ph). The site is a jungle, to say the least, in terms of the feedback that is generated from those who visit the site and interact with live articles. Anything that has the hint of being anti-Pacquiao will likely get you serious venom from your readers and the drama has kicked up a gear with the constant talks swirling around a potential Pacquiao-Mayweather showcase this November.
While Pacquiao?s fans are often rabid it can be argued that it is deserved, as his past year and half in the sport of boxing has been pretty remarkable. Victories over the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Joshua Clottey in succession have all seen a naturally smaller man conquer and overcome situations that were thought dangerous and sometimes highly unlikely beforehand.
Looking back the only kind of connection I can recall a fighter having that was similar to the one Pacquiao has with his following was that of Felix ?Tito? Trinidad, who won titles in the Welterweight, Jr. Middleweight and Middleweights divisions during his time as prizefighter. Trinidad was a lethal punching left hook artist from Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico and any time he fought at Madison Square Garden during his glory days it was certainly an event.
I was fortunate enough to attend Trinidad?s May 2001 mugging of William Joppy in New York and came away from the weekend with a newfound respect to those who loved and supported the Boricua superstar. Trinidad?s presence in the city was felt heavily and every footstep he took he was surrounded by his adoring fans, whether walking in the hotel lobby or making his way through the crowded weigh in at Bryant Park.
Trinidad would end laying a serious hurt on Joppy, dropping him in round one and finishing him off with a chilling right hand in the 5th. The electricity in the building was out of this world and Trinidad?s fans could be found singing, dancing, and even playing drums throughout the contest. It wasn?t necessarily a great fight but certainly a great night to remember.
Coming back to the original topic at hand, the followers of Manny Pacquiao are undyingly faithful and connected to their hero in much the same way but only on a whole new level. The sport of boxing is very special because you will often see one single individual capture the attention of an entire country and in Pacquiao?s case even uplift his people.
So when I interviewed WBA Super Middleweight champion Andre Ward a few weeks back little did I expect what I was getting the Oakland, California fighter into. During our fifteen minute rap session the 26-year old and I talked about his love for the sport, his involvement in the Super Six tournament, and his fellow pugilists in the game. I then asked Ward for his thoughts on the constant drama surrounding Pacquiao and Mayweather and his response was definite.
?I?ve always loved Floyd Mayweather and right now in my book I feel that Floyd is the best fighter in the world right now,? Ward stated point blank. ?You have to give him his just due. I think some people are knocking him for cherry picking now but he earned that right. If you watch Floyd?s first title defense against Genero Hernandez all the way up he fought everybody there was to fight. He fought dynamite fighters, all the top fighters, the champions and he proved himself. Nobody should knock him. He?s beaten everybody they put in front of him.?
Ward?s comments didn?t go over very well with the Pacquiao faithful, who strike like piranhas anytime their man is questioned or viewed as second best. While Ward was simply speaking from his heart on the matter the backlash from his response was resounding. Comments questioning Ward?s logic, skills as a fighter, and overall views were expressed without mercy.
A few days later Ward would produce a very impressive one-sided drubbing over trashing-talking Allan Green in his Stage Two bout of the Super Six tournament to improve his record to 22-0 with 13 knockouts while defending his coveted belt. It was the type of performance that has had some labeling him a future superstar but when news of Ward?s victory hit Pacland he was once again ripped severely. Like it or not, and despite his humble demeanor outside of the ring, it looks at though Andre Ward may be a marked man in Pacland for at least a little while.
Ward certainly isn?t alone however, as a handful of boxing luminaries are also torn apart whenever their names are mentioned. The Las Vegas based Mayweather clan is the first group that pops to mind, especially considering Papa Floyd and Uncle Roger?s insistence that Pacquiao is on PEDs. Lil? Floyd?s huge ego and braggadocios demeanor also don?t serve him well and he is public enemy number one especially considering that a fight with him and Manny may be just months away.
Brooklyn?s Paulie Malignaggi also rubbed a lot of Pacquiao faithful the wrong way ever since he begin implying that the entire Wild Card stable, not just Pacquiao, should be under suspicion for using illegal substances. It goes without saying that Pacquiao stable mate Amir Khan got sweet revenge with his May 15th TKO of brash Paulie at the theatre in Madison Square Garden.
Juan Manuel Marquez? name is also sure to draw interest, considering the fact that he is still bitter towards losing to Pacquiao via split-decision in their riveting March 2008 encounter. Marquez has stated that Pacquiao is afraid to meet him in the ring for a third time and he surely can be looked at as one of Manny?s greatest rivals.
Earlier this year ESPN’s Teddy Atlast caused quite a stir when he revealed that he had an undisclosed source who told him that he had information regarding emails from members of Team Pacquiao in relation to the drug testing scenario presented by Floyd Mayweather during their intial negotiations. Ever since then Atlas has been under serious scrutiny in Pacland.
Where does Andre Ward rank on the Pacland hit list? Who knows as it is simply too early to tell. Ward?s praising of Mayweather didn?t set him in the highest of graces but perhaps his view will change over time. What is certain is that Ward will likely be around the game for years to come and whether he is liked or disliked in Pacland he will surely be making his cameo appearances in that duration.
In recent years several boxing luminaries have found themselves connected to Manny Pacquiao due to their actions in the ring and comments outside of the ropes. Click on the collage or slideshow below to read about some people on the ‘Pacland Hit List’…
