The congressman delivered a beating so severe, it landed his opponent in the hospital. But in dominating Antonio Margarito last week at Cowboys Stadium, Manny Pacquiao also showed he has a compassionate side.
This is a well-known fact in the Philippines, where the beloved boxer and politician makes a habit of giving away much of his wealth in an effort to help the poor.
But until his taming of the Tijuana Tornado, many in America had not seen the kinder, gentler Pacquiao.
For most of their WBC super welterweight title fight, Pacquiao pounded the bigger but slower Margarito with astounding ease.
Then in the late rounds, the lion became a lamb.
After Margarito’s eyes were nearly swollen shut and his face became a bloody mask, the champ began to fear for his opponent’s safety.
?I try to get the referee to talk to the doctor,? Pacquiao said. ?I didn’t want to damage him permanently. That is not what boxing is about.?
That’s not the end of it. Failing to get the fight stopped, Pacquiao took pity on the Mexican slugger, letting up in the final round so as to not inflict any more punishment.
?Manny’s a very compassionate person,? said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer.
Filipinos worldwide have known this for years. Now the rest of the world knows, too. His treatment of Margarito at the end of their fight was a fascinating subplot in what otherwise was a lopsided ? and vastly overhyped ? bout.
