Pacman fully focused, even on small details
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 26 Mar 2007
At the “Moment of Truth” Promotions held at Cebu City last month, Manny Pacquiao upon seeing me, cordially extended a nice friendly greetings. “Hi Doc, kumusta ka. Kelan ka dumating?” That recognition alone made my day. As I extended my hand to him to feel his warm handshake, he leaned forward and said: “I need a new mouth guard. Can you make a new one for me when I get to the States?”
Of course I said yes. For a dentist with a passion for boxing like myself, nothing could be better than being asked once again to custom fabricate a mouth guard by the man himself, one of the world’s best pound-for-pound ring gladiators! Pacquiao’s confidence on my professional competence is simply heartwarming.
The unsavory reception he received in Cebu galvanized my perception of Pacquiao. It takes a man with a strong will to ignore the catcalls and the booing and yet keep focused on the tasks ahead.
When Pacquiao made the request, it dawned to me that in spite of what everyone was saying and the “distractions” that currently swarm around him, Pacquiao is focused on his coming fight with Jorge Solis. True, he will not be spending the same amount of time training at the Wildcard Gym as he did with the last Morales fight and that his “non-training” time is divided by the other stuff he currently does. Of course, that is not to mention the legal mumbo-jumbo that “hangs over his back like a monkey”.
But, in so far as his fight with Solis is concerned, I feel he is focused. If he was not, and he is looking ahead beyond the Solis fight, and into the May 2007 Elections, would he even remember little details like a new mouth guard in the middle of a hostile crowd that was booing him? I don’t think so!
Today, I visited Pacquiao at his swanky apartment at the Palazzo in Los Angeles. His new dive is far better that the previous ones he had at the same complex. Pacquiao now stays at the penthouse. I was there to take impressions of his dentition so I can custom fabricate a new mouth guard for him. I would have loved it if he had time to drive to my office in Canoga Park. But, for someone like Pacquiao, whose stay in LA and is devoted to training, I did not mind driving up to his apartment instead. Pacquiao is simply that special.
As per his request, Pacquiao’s new mouth guard will be yellow and blue. Yellow for a bright new future for the Philippines and blue for the hope and aspirations he wishes for its people.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Panamanian legend Hilario Zapata inducted into the California Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 29 Apr 2024FEDOR GORST WINS 2024 WORLD POOL MASTERS
Mon, 29 Apr 2024Megan Paragua wins back-to-back world titles in Albania
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Apr 2024Asuela wins Gomez Jr. Birthday Chess Cup
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 29 Apr 2024JOSE RAMIREZ MAKES A WINNING STATEMENT IN GOLDN BOY DEBUT AGAINST RANCES BARTHELEMY IN FRONT OF HOMETOWN CROWD
Sun, 28 Apr 2024Boston Gets Back Versus Miami; Lakers Get One Against Denver
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Lady Knights, Orlando-A win Panabo United Football Club
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Apr 202411-Year-Old Filipino-American Megan Paragua Makes History by Winning the World Cadet Rapid & Blitz Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 28 Apr 2024WORLD POOL MASTERS 2024 | DEFENDING CHAMPION KO PIN YI KNOCKS OUT WNT NO.1 FRANCISCO SANCHEZ IN QUARTER-FINAL
Sun, 28 Apr 2024Men whom Manny retired
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Astrolabio waiting for fight date against Nakatani
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Saludar to fight for WBO Oriental title
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Apr 2024Former Unified World Champion Marlon Tapales Looks Forward to His Homecoming Bout at Midas Hotel and Casino in Manila, Philippines
Sat, 27 Apr 2024Mavs, Pacers Forge Ahead, 2-1, in Matches to Watch
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 27 Apr 2024Weights from Washington PA.
Sat, 27 Apr 2024