SASAKUL VISITS PACQUIAO
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 21 Mar 2015
LOS ANGELES ? Sixteen years ago, the two fearless ring warriors ? Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao and Thai boxer Chatchai Sasakul ? met atop the ring.
It was Pacquiao?s first world title fight.
The 18-year old skinny Pinoy fighter was determined to win as it meant the fulfillment of his most-coveted dream ? to become a world champion.
For Sasakul, then 28, it was his third title defense of the World Boxing Council (WBC) Flyweight crown. Just like Pacquiao, he was determined to keep the crown at all cost.
?I was so motivated to win that fight. I trained hard and the outcome was so rewarding. I knocked him out in the eight round,? Pacquiao recalled.
A few days back, the duo met again. No longer atop the ring but inside a Thai restaurant here. Not to trade savage punches but to show mutual support and respect.
The former ring protagonists had let bygones be bygones and decided to become good friends.
?He earned my respect after that fight. He?s a great fighter yet so humble. He?s a good role model not just for the Thai or Asian fighters but for boxers all over the world. He has gone a long way,? Sasakul said.
The difficult mission of dethroning Sasakul was no longer new for Pacquiao. Since his childhood days back in the crowded Labangal village in General Santos City, he thrived amidst the adversities.
Pacquiao reminisced his victory against Sasakul helped define his boxing career.
?It was so sweet. That was my first world title and lineal championship belt. It was a difficult fight because he was the bigger and stronger fighter,? Pacquiao said.
Sasakul now devotes most of his time in helping train Thai boxers at Petchyindee boxing promotion owned by his former promoter and manager Virat Wachirarattanawong.
?I wish him good luck. His victory would bring further honor to the Malayan race and to all Asians. Pacquiao is also very popular in my home country,? Sasakul said.
Pacquiao?s guaranteed purse during his duel with Sasakul was US$7,000, a far cry from his current guaranteed prize of US$80 million just to fight undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
From boxing, Pacquiao has decided to foray into politics, show business, professional basketball league and evengelism. He did not excel in all those endeavors but he continues to set new records. He continues to make history.
Pacquiao, himself, could hardly believe what he had achieved in life.
?I will never forget those people who played a role, regardless of how big or small, in the success of my career as a person,? Pacquiao said.
No wonder, God showers him with so much blessings beyond his own expectation and imagination.
?My dream was just to become a world champion and help, especially my mother, provide the basic needs of our family. I didn?t expect that God will shower me with so much blessings,? Pacquiao said.
Photo: World eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and former World Boxing Council (WBC) Flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul met at the Thai restaurant just outside the Wild Card Boxing Gym along Vine Street in Hollywood, California. Pacquiao got his first world title and lineal championship belt by knocking out Sasakul in the 8th round of their title fight in December 1998./Photo by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
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