MEXICAN POINT OF VIEW: MEXICANS FAVOR PACQUIAO
By Hesiquio Balderas
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 21 Oct 2008
Tuxtepec, Oaxaca, Mexico:- Mexicans fighters have a unique quality when they step inside the ring, and that is pride. Throughout the years, fans have witnessed this unique passion in every Mexican fighter. These fighters are known for their trade mark determination, heart, and ever going forward style.
It is hunger that drives these individuals to try to reach for their goals and become world champions so that they can provide their families with food to survive and a better life in the future.
A few good ones such as Raton Macias, Ruben Olivares, Julio Cesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez and Oscar de la Hoya have reached their goals. Many others are still trying.
In the Philippines, many fighters exhibit the same qualities as Mexican fighters. They too have huge hearts and plenty of determination that makes them difficult to beat. When we see Mexicans battle Filipinos, be it a 4 rounder or a 12 round championship fight, we are always sure to see a war. There will blood and guts involved.
It is for these reasons that we in Mexico have high regards for every single Filipino fighter be it Gabriel Elorde, Luisito Espinosa or any fighter from the Philippines.
But the person that captures our imagination the most is Manny Pacquiao.
?El Paquiau?, as people would call him in the streets of Mexico is a brawler with similar fighting style as Mexicans. He has a huge heart and more importantly he always fights for his country. This is the reason why he is loved by our people.
I recently conducted a poll in the streets of my hood Tuxtepec in Oaxaca, Mexico about the coming fight between Pacquiao and De La Hoya. I was amazed to see that those from my area favor Pacquiao by 72%.
One would think that de la Hoya would be the over-whelming favorite as he is a Mexican-American. But the fact is Pacquiao is their choice because he is the underdog. And he has a pleasant Mexican style and the bravado of Mexican fighters.
Pacquiao is the choice of not only the people in the streets but also of big named Mexican boxing legends like Julio Cesar Chavez, a former boxing great and now, a TV broadcaster. Chavez actually stated that Pacquiao will win!
Chavez also said that Pacquiao has the Mexican ?guts? which De Da Hoya does not.
It is comments like these that increase the Mexican support for Pacquiao and I would not be surprised if a lot of Mexicans will bet for Pacquiao to win.
Many of my Mexican colleagues in the media and boxing fans in the streets would love to see Pacquiao walk to the ring on December 6th in the company of Mexican legends like Chavez and Eric Morales. That for sure will further endear Pacquiao to the Mexican boxing fans.
On December 6th, if Pacquiao will fight with determination, hunger and pride, as he always does, I have no doubt that he will end up not only as a Philippine icon but a Mexican icon as well.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Hesiquio Balderas.
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