A country's favorite son will fight for a nation in distress
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 24 Nov 2013
The sport of boxing, the name Manny Pacquiao and the country of the Philippines go hand in hand with each other.
In recent years, all three form a manifestation of national pride, personal achievement and nationalistic fervor.
Pinoy Pride was born of Pacquiao's achievements in the squared ring. His accomplishment is embraced by his countrymen, his conquests of his opponents in the ring was a showcase of national pride. It was also proof that with hard work and perseverance, the Filipino can excel in the global stage.
Pacquiao's triumph is the triumph of most Filipinos. His recent defeats are also theirs.
When he was robbed in the Timothy Bradley fight, his countrymen were angered by the controversial decision against him. And when he was flattened by his rival Juan Manuel Marquez in his last fight, they grieved for him.
Today in his first fight after that loss, amidst talks that he is now an athlete in decline, his nation will once again stop their normal course of lives for about two hours and watch him return to the sport that has endeared him to them.
Amidst never ending political chaos and with widespread destruction in the background which was brought about by the strongest typhoon known to man that devastated part of its region, the country will momentarily pause and support it's treasured athlete as he climbed that ring in The Cotai Arena tomorrow.
Because this fight carries more weight than any of his previous fights.
Of course, his eight championships matter. Yes, his victories over former legends of the ring counts. But this prize fighter that carries patriotism and national pride every time he enters the arena must go in there like a soldier that fights for his country - no matter how melodramatic that may sound to others.
If he can for twelve rounds or less, make his people forget the recent tragedies that has befallen their land, he has achieved what majority of our political leaders have accomplished in their years in office - if they even have any.
And if he can boost their moral and put a smile in their faces by giving them a victory against a tough opponent in Brandon Rios, who would not wish him and his countrymen and fans all the luck in the world in tomorrow's fight.
Yes, it may sound melodramatic, corny even for other fans of boxing in the rest of the world, but this nation needs something to cheer them up and Pacquiao is that one man that has done it in the past and is tasked to do it again today.
It's just boxing they may say, but they have never been in this part of the world and they have never been gifted with a Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao dedicated this fight to his people just like his previous rendezvous in the ring. He should stay true to those words in every minute he spends in that ring this Sunday because they believe it and they are inspired to do the same in their every day lives.
Philippines, your favorite son is fighting. Manny, your people is counting on you.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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