MY PACQUIAO WISH LIST
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 31 Jul 2008
When Manny Pacquiao knocked out Erik Morales in their second bout more than two years ago, I remember telling myself that Manny doesn?t have to prove anything anymore. I felt that Morales at that time represented not just a physical but psychological barrier for Pacquiao, his personal ?Ivan Drago?- a mountain he needed to climb. When he scaled the mountain twice, I thought all the things he would accomplish in his career would be just icing on the cake.
But it turned out to be more than just icing. He became the first Asian boxer to win Ring Magazine?s Fighter of the Year Award and won the WBC and Ring Magazine?s linear superfeatherweight title and the WBC lightweight belt. As a fight fan and writer his success became addictive. Now I feel he should do more before he decides to hang up his gloves for good. Whether a mega-million bout with Oscar dela Hoya happens or not, here are the things I feel he must do:
1. Unify the lightweight belts
With all due respect to David Diaz, he is no Carlos Ortiz. Flash Elorde did fight during the time when there was only one champion in every weight division. Comparisons to Elorde will continue until Pacquiao retires. There is also something to be said about being undisputed.
2. Beat Juan Manuel Marquez convincingly
Marquez remains the only fighter that can brag that he pushed Pacquiao to the brink for 24 total rounds. Marquez will be fighting Joel Casamayor who is recognized by the Bible of Boxing as its champion. t would also be a fight fan's dream if Pacquiao and Marquez fought for a third time with another historically linear world title belt on the line.
Pacquiao held the linear featherweight belt when they first fought to a draw. In their second encounter, Ring Magazine?s world superfeatherweight belt was on the line.
Has there been a pair of boxers that fought a trilogy in three different weight categories involving three historically linear title belts?
3. Win a sixth world title at 140 lbs.
A fight with boxing?s Golden Man Oscar dela Hoya at a catchweight of 148 lbs. will be hard to resist. But, a sixth world title in the superlightweight or junior welterweight division will solidify Pacquiao?s place not just as the greatest Asian fighter ever, but among the top ten or fifteen greatest of all time pound per pound.
4. Continue his humanitarian causes and help destitute and disabled Filipino boxers
People actually can do more good outside of politics. The Pacman has been generous in giving money to disaster victims and the needy. Pacquiao's stature as a national icon gives him access to the corridors of power. He could help in influencing legislation that will benefit boxers who never became rich but during their careers gallantly represented our country. Pacquiao could even help Luisito Espinosa?s quest for justice. He does have the ear of the rich and powerful.
I used to envy my father and grandfather for living during the time of Flash Elorde. We should consider ourselves fortunate that we lived during the time of Manny Pacquiao.
It will be a great story to tell our grandkids.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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