TIME FOR THE BIG BOYS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 07 Apr 2010
With Manny Pacquiao running for a spot in the Philippine Legislature, his future in boxing is now everyone?s guess.
If he wins a seat, he may only fight one more time. Hopefully, that fight will be versus the utterly obnoxious Floyd Mayweather Jr., so that the issue of ?who?s the best? would be settled once and for all.
If Pacquiao fails in his second election bid, he may fight two or three more times and then will possibly retire. After all, what else does he have to gain by continuing further when he practically has it all?
So now that Pacquiao?s retirement looms ever so closely on the horizon, what happens to boxing in the country?
For sure the sweet science will continue to flourish as there are hundreds of young men and women who have been inspired by the success of Pacquiao and will continue to try to attain the same.
And, we also have a crop of world champions, notably Rodel Mayol and Donnie Nietes who can step up and carry the load. And, Nonito Donaire Jr, an interim champion, is not too far behind.
Of course they can never be another Manny Pacquiao. Boxers like Pacquiao come once in a life time and it would be unfair to expect the present crop of boxers to be the same.
Oh, they can achieve lots of successes in their own ways but nothing like Pacquiao has done.
But that is not to say that can not get close.
However, for them to do so, they need help, lots of help to get more world wide exposure.
Thus, it?s time for the ?big boys? in Philippine boxing and the Filipino sports scene to step up to the plate and help.
These people can start by putting a double header in the country featuring Mayol and Nietes against challengers who are aiming for their titles.
These two champions deserve the support and there is no better time than now for them to get it.
Mayol is in the verge of defending his title. WBC made him an offer to fight in Mexico.
And, if no Filipino group bids for the fight, poor Mayol may end up in Mexico again.
Again?
Nietes has defended his title twice in that country, successfully if I may add.
Why can?t Mayol and Nietes defend their titles in the Philippines for a change?
We have well-heeled powers that be in the country that deals with sports and huge TV conglomerates like GMA, Solar Sports or ABS-CBN who can put up the money to make something like this happen.
Certainly, they can get the job done if they want too.
Time to step up to the plate, people!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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