No Sadness, Regrets or Sense of Loss Should the Manny Pacquiao Era Ends
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 06 Sep 2021
Not that I am wanting this to happen soon but should the epic Manny Pacquiao Era in boxing ends anytime soon, I doubt if there would be a national mourning nor sense of loss because of the fighting Senator's huge, unprecedented ring accomplishments in over two decades.
He will also be leaving the stage assured of Philippine boxing still enjoying a boon with the likes of Nonito Donaire, Johnriel Casimero and Jerwin Ancajas as reigning world champions and a slew of others with bright prospects.
The last beloved Filipino world boxing champion approximating Pacquiao's stature to be defrocked and to retire crownless was Gabriel Flash Elorde in the late 60s. And his title defeat and retirement were attended by a general sense of sadness and loss of the nation despite his long seven year reign as undisputed world junior lightweight champion. This was because he was our lone world boxing champion at the time and there was no one immediately in the horizon to come after him.
It took nearly fifty years before another highly accomplished world boxing champion in the person of Manny Pacquiao came along and he certainly filled our cup of satisfaction in boxing to the overflow: Record eight world boxing championships in as many weight divisions, including lineal titles in two of boxing's original weight classes (flyweight and featherweight) and being four time world champion at welterweight ( thrice with WBO and once with WBA).
For the record, in recent times, there are other Filipino boxers who became world champions not just once but twice and in multiple weight divisions at that. Like Erbito Salavarria and Ben Villaflor who were two time world champions at flyweight and junior lightweight respectively. And Dodie Boy Peñalosa Sr, Luisito Espinosa and Gerry Peñalosa who were our first multi weight class world champions. As well as Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes, Nonito Donaire and Johnriel Casimero who are currently our multi division world boxing champions.
But, alas many of them has not achieved what Elorde and Pacquiao have attained in the course of their careers in terms of global impact and public adulation and affection. In fairness, Nietes, Casimero and especially Donaire still have a shot as their careers are not yet over.
Indeed, Manny Pacquiao could hang his gloves anytime and he can be assured of a rich boxing legacy to leave behind as well as the well deserved eternal adulation of an appreciative and grateful Filipino nation.
But he will be leaving a huge void not only for Philippine boxing but the global scene to attempt to fill up.
Already, many well known international boxing scribes and experts are wondering what pro boxing would be like in the post Pacquiao Era. This despite the presence of the likes of Canelo Alvarez and Naoya Inoue who are lording it in most best pound for pound lists and particularly Canelo who is not only recognised as the best pound for pound fighter but as the reigning cash cow of the fight sport.
This question was not posed when Floyd Mayweather,Jr. retired in late 2015.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
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