FIGHTING UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE PACMAN
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 14 Nov 2009
Manny Pacquiao’s unprecedented fame and success on the world stage have made international promoters and matchmakers look closely at the Philippine boxing scene and they found an abundance of talent scattered all over the islands. More and more Filipino boxers are getting a chance to fight in various venues in North America.
Most boxing fans know by now that there is another southpaw from Gen. Santos City with a world title. One week after Pacquiao goes for a historic seventh world title belt in Las Vegas against Miguel Cotto, “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona will defend his WBO superflyweight crown against Mexico’s Alejandro Hernandez in Ontario, Canada.
There are also other Pinoy boxers showcasing their skills in Las Vegas this weekend. The ALA Gym’s Z “The Dream” Gorres and Mark Jason Melligen together with countryman Federico Catubay will be fighting in the Mandalay Bay one day before Pacquiao fights Cotto. In the undercard of the Pacquiao Fight, Richie Mepranum of Sarangani will face Ernie Marquez of the US.
An exciting time, yes, but looking at the sports coverage here and abroad, it seems it is only Manny Pacquiao who will be fighting.
That has been a noticeable downside to Pacquiao’s achievements. As the date for his historic fight against Cotto draws near, the local press has covered him almost exclusively. This is quite understandable, papers and magazines need to sell, television stations need to boost their ratings.
No one can really complain about it. It isn’t every day that a boxer gets to be on the cover of TIME. It’s been 21 years since the last time it happened.
Ciso Morales will be fighting in the undercard of Sonsona’s title fight in Canada. He said that his fight is for our country’s honor. Our boxers are starting to realize that they are not just fighting for money but for an entire country still starved for heroes and looking at boxing for hope.
The local boxing scene has also flourished. Most fight cards now have a paying audience. But the worry is that corporate sponsors only know one boxer and they may ignore boxing again once Pacquiao retires. The other Filipino boxers scheduled to fight this month or the next in other countries are destined to become an afterthought or even ignored in the middle of the Pacman hysteria.
Whatever the result of Pacquiao-Cotto, it will continue to be discussed until New Year’s Day or even beyond. The “others” will be lucky to get a couple of paragraphs in the local papers.
But Pacquiao has shown that the Filipino can be world class. Unlike western athletes, he has never tested positive for banned substances. There is also no truth to the silly rumor that his power comes from an amulet he found by the seashore.
His victories are just due to hard work and the willingness to learn new things. Pacquiao trains harder than most, if not all, boxers and athletes in the Philippines. He has listened and learned from Freddie Roach. Pacquiao may have numerous distractions but the effort and sacrifice he puts into his training is at a different level. This is something every Filipino needs to realize.
Pacquiao’s work ethic may be the longest shadow he has cast upon the Philippine boxing scene.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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