MANNY PACQUIAO, IN PURSUIT OF BOXING HISTORY
By Rod Mijares
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 02 Feb 2008
First, there was Erik ?El Terrible? Morales whom he vanquished in two out of three fights. Then, there was Marco Antonio ?The Baby Faced Assassin? Barrera whom he also sent to retirement immediately after their last fight. Now, he is faced with the last of the 3 icons of Mexican boxing of his time, Juan Manuel ?Dinamita? Marquez, who is also in his last years of his prime at age 34 compared to Pacquiao?s 29.
If ever Pacquio wins his fight with Marquez on March 15, 2008 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada for the WBC Super Featherweight Title and also winning the third match if ever there will be, Manny will accomplish the unprecedented. He will be courting boxing history as he will be credited as the only Filipino boxer who win over the three top Mexican boxers and future Hall of Fame members of his era.
This will further cement his own future enshrinement to the International Boxing Hall of Fame alongside other 3 greatest Filipino boxers of all time, 1923 World Flyweight champion Francisco ?Pancho Villa? Guilledo, 1939-1940 World Middleweight champion Ceferino Garcia and 1960?s world super featherweight champion Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde.
Manny?s rise to stardom is likened to Flash Elorde. They are both very successful in the super featherweight, both hailed south of the Philippines, both explosive and both loved by the Filipinos and could command the respects of their peers.
However, Flash Elorde was also adored because of his exemplary works outside of boxing. His human qualities were evident from his philantrophic works both in his community and the churches. For these, he is always in the minds of the Filipinos in all generations to come as his works and accomplishments will always be told in books, magazines, newspapers and now in the present technology of world wide web. For sure, Manny?s foundation, if there is one will further bolster his dream of helping his ?kababayan? and he can then also be remembered as a great philanthropist like Flash Elorde and his name will forever etch in the hearts and minds of millions of Filipinos both in and outside of boxing.
Millions of fans tolerate Manny?s other activities outside of boxing. He could be a movie actor, TV host and even a boxing writer. Because these are temporary activities that could be scheduled and set aside when the time to fight comes.
And he is very good at this. No amount of disturbance could stop him from winning a fight whatever what. However, what the fans can not accept is for him to run as a politician at the time when his success in boxing brings pride and respect to the Filipinos and to the Philippines, in general.
In due time in the future, this noble purpose of serving his people of General Santos City as their congressman, a full time job, if ever he will run again will serve its course. In the meantime, the Filipinos are clamoring for another world championship from him and the time is now.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rod Mijares.
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