In journalism parlance, red flags are warning signs.
Manny Pacquiao?s ?uncomfortable victory? over Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez certainly points to ominous writings on the wall for the Filipino boxing icon.
At this point, there is no telling if Pacquiao?s popularity has already reached a point where there is no other way but go down.
Performances that leave doubts to his ability to rampage over opponents will surely take their toll on his popularity as a rallying figure of the Filipino people, both as a world class athlete and a rising politician.
The Filipino people, judging by the debate generated by his not-so-popular win over Marquez, were divided for the first time last Sunday. Maybe not equally divided but a line was clearly drawn inside the house.
At this stage of his boxing career, Pacquiao is coming to the realization that, at one point or another, he will lose not only a step. He will soon find himself at the receiving end of punishments atop the ring either by his own doing or coming off another fresh, younger and stronger challenger if he stays longer than he should in the sports.
For all the knockouts he had recorded over the course of his 59 professional fights, he also absorbed a lot of punishments. The many sparring sessions he had to log to keep himself in top condition as he gears up for a fight are as punishing, may be even more, than the actual fight themselves. These are the wear and tear factors that many boxing fans often conveniently forget or gloss over.
Manny is an epitome of a world class athlete when in the thick of training. But he also indulges in some splurges that will eventually take their toll on his physical well being.
Boxing is a cruel contact sports that can turn even the sturdiest fighter into an ageing warrior overnight.
