IT?S NOT ALL FOR THE MONEY, BUT FOR THE RESPECT
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 23 Jan 2009
BACOLOD CITY - It?s almost dead. No deal. With both camps on a stalemate as to the sharing of the purse, we can see both Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton fighting separate opponents.
Manny has all the reasons for not accepting the 50-50 deal and shot for 60-40, then reduce it to 55-45. After he demolished Oscar de la Hoya, Manny is now the prime god of boxing, and his icon is popularized in America, Asia, Africa and even in Europe.
The Golden Boy himself admitted right after the most popularized Dream Match that it is now Manny?s time. Pacquiao taken as a Nike endorser is one proof that he has the same caliber as Kobe Bryant as far as esteem and recognition are concerned.
Yes, Hatton can fill the Wembley Stadium to the rafters with all his die hard British fans and can draw hundreds of thousands of pay-per-view buyers in the United Kingdom. But everywhere outside UK is Manny?s realm.
Even in the other parts of Europe, where boxing is not as popular as soccer, Filipino OFW?s will tune in for the fight. More so, in the Middle East where Filipinos number more than the Arabs themselves, Manny is still the number one attraction.
Mexicans, who are as loyal boxing aficionados as we are, know more about Pacquiao than the man they call Hitman. Manny has fought and beaten more Mexicans than Hatton did.
Manny is the symbol of the Filipino pride, and champions like him seldom emerged in a generation. He made us stood on our ground amidst economic crisis. He made us proud that a Filipino, in a third-world country that we are, surfaced as the top boxer in all categories.
Here in the Smart-ABAP National Amateur Boxing Championships, Manny is mobbed by the adoring crowd whenever he goes. He made boxing now a sport appreciated by men and women, young and old, alike, even for non-sportsmen.
He sent a message to rising boxers that a Filipino can rise amidst adversity. That poverty is not a hindrance to being number one in the world.
The Manny Pacquiao icon is a mark of the Filipino bravery and perseverance. He must be given due respect by the Hatton camp. He must be revered by the promoters, being the most popular boxer in the world today.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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