THE PACMAN pot is again slowly coming up to boiling point as the July 2 encounter between Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Oscar Larios draws closer.
Anything and everything about Pacquiao and the fight is being lapped up by the press and is continually the subject of many a discussion everywhere in this Pacman-crazed land.
For not since the days of Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Roberto Cruz, Luisito Espinosa and Rolando Navarrete has the ordinary Filipino been affected by the ring exploits of the Filipino boxer. To be sure, to the young and newly-converted boxing fan, most of these names don’t ring a bell.
But yes, Virginia, there were other boxing idols before Pacquiao-mania ever came to fore. Try these other names for size: Pedro Adigue, Bernabe Villacampo, Rolando Bohol, Ben Villaflor, Tacy Macalos, Erbito Salavarria, Frank Cede?o, Dodie Boy Pe?alosa, Morris East and a host of others.
And even before them, Ceferino Garcia, who introduced the “Bolo Punch’ to the world when he campaigned and eventually reigned as champion in the middleweight division in the 30’s and 40’s.
Or Francisco Guilledo, better known as Pancho Villa, a colorful character who ruled the flyweight division in the early 20’s, one of only four Asians inducted into the New York-based International Hall of Fame.
And there were more – Little Dado, Small Montana, Salvador “Dado” Marino et al, all household names during times even I was not a part of. But their names are forever etched, if not in the minds of those who care about our storied past, certainly in the annals of our colorful history.
But who do we hear about when the coming boxing spectacle is talked about? There is talk of bringing in Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, even Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. Most assuredly, these are illustrious names in the world of boxing and therefore deserve an honored place at ringside.
But what of our own special boxing heroes? Has anyone thought of inviting Luisito Espinosa, he who only a decade ago was the toast of Philippine sports, who dazzled many an opponent and proudly carried the Philippine flag in his exploits? He who has quietly suffered the ignominy of eking out a living in the States to keep body and soul together as he hangs on to flickering hopes of getting paid for a fight he fought right in his native land almost a decade ago?
What of the other Filipino boxers who brought pride and honor to our land and who also gained the respect of many a boxing opponent and fans in their time? Won’t boxing aficionados be excited to see the likes of Espinosa, Villacampo, East, Pe?alosa , Navarrete, Cede?o, Bohol, Salavarria, et al?
Don’t these fine ring gladiators deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the Alis and Fraziers and Barreras and Moraleses? After all, this is our territory, and Manny has said this fight is for all the Filipinos. Surely, he would also wish to honor his predecessors, yes?
And the boxing aficionados in other lands who will be watching the boxing spectacle, wouldn’t they be pleasantly surprised to be reminded of these illustrious names and to see them again?
By all means let’s invite foreigners. But it would indeed be a crying shame if we again gloss over our own in celebrating the achievement of others.
