Pacquiao: National Unity Remains to be My Inspiration to Win
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 22 Jun 2008
LOS ANGELES, California ? What motivates Manny Pacquiao to continue fighting and risking his life in the ring even if he has already achieved universal stardom in fight business is his oft-repeated mantra of "national unity."
This was the same message he uttered a week before heading a 12-vehicle convoy to Las Vegas in his March 15 conquest of Juan Manuel Marquez.
After a not-so-heavy workout at the Wild Card gym recently, he again reminded fans and some members of Team Pacquiao who came nearer him that "I am doing this (punishing myself) for national unity. Para sa bayan 'to."
In his June 28 title shot at David Diaz's World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight dubbed "Lethal Comination" in Las Vegas, Pacquiao said the whole Filipino nation will once again rally behind him as they believe he can lift their despair wrought by economic uncertainty that bedevils the country.
He also believes he said that politics is not the answer to the people's woes and that he will continue to fight for the country "as long as God will continue to give me strength and guidance."
He credits his poster father and trainer Fred Roach and childhood friend Buboy Fernandez for what he is today. He admitted having missed the 48-year-old Roach for two days over the weekend when the trainer, a future Hall of Famer, was downed by flu, and was glad that Fernandez competently took over and supervised his training management uninterrupted.
Roach was on board again effective Thursday.
Pacquiao said he welcomed the presence of politicians and VIPs in his big fights but his focus is on national unity and peace. He acknowledged that the whole nation unites once he starts swapping punches against his rivals in the ring.
He has also made it a habit not to badmouth his opponents especially Diaz, 32, who he described as "a good boxer and a worthy champion."
In their promotional tours, Pacquiao was all praises for his opponent who is member of the 1996 US Olympic Team, even if Diaz did not show up in at least two public conferences in California.
"He is really a gentleman that's why he is being respected by both the boxers and promoters," said Dr. Allan Recto.
The two ring gladiators will meet again for their last West Coast public press conference in Sta. Monica pier on June 23 before Team Pacquiao departs to Las Vegas where he will be billeted at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, venue of his historic 12-round matchup with Diaz.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
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