A couple of weekends ago, I was following Gordon Marino and Dan Hill's Boxing Live Blog on The Wall Street Journal's "The Daily Fix". It documented the third match between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Marquez. Based on Marino's assessment, the Mexican dominated more rounds than Pacquiao did. For Dan Hill, it was a close fight but chose to side with the Filipino champ for sentimental reasons. The wait for the final decision was indeed nerve-wracking, with supporters from both camps vying to hear their bet's name. The score was 114-114; 115-113; 116-112 in favor of Pacquiao.
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| During his fight with Margarito, Manny reminded the world that boxers are not killers. |
Current sentiments from boxing enthusiasts, including my dad, are not entirely positive for Manny. This is not to say that they would rather have heard Marquez's name announced as the winner, but that Pacquiao didn't fight the way he used to in his past fights wherein most of his opponents, except for Antonio Margarito, seemed pale and wanting of energy. He showed great sports(hu)manship though during his match with Marquez's fellow Mexican. He could have pounced on that guy, but would rather not because boxers are not there to "kill each other".
Manny the Boxer as a Business Product
Why am I writing this piece on Leann's Reviews? Boxing is a sport, yes. And I'm not a sports-person nor a sports journalist. I do however vouch for people, including Filipinos, whom I think deserve such support. Like actors in the movie industry, boxers like Pacquiao and Marquez have also become commodities the moment they step into public consciousness; thus, they deserve a consumer's review.
I watched a documentary about these two boxers on the eve of their media-crazed fight. For Marquez, I sensed the passion, the determination to topple Manny, to knock him out and prove to the boxing world who is the better fighter. Compared to his previous shows, he got bigger this time and appeared more aggressive. Pacquiao, on the other hand, seemed relaxed.
Undoubtedly, had Pacquiao lost many of his fights and didn't excel at his sport, he'd be part of the sea of unknown folk. No one would care about what he does or what he says. Many Filipinos make fun of the way he talks in English, eagerly awaiting grammatical lapses reminiscent of Filipina model Melanie Marquez's "long legged-legs".
But then, Pacquiao won many times and have risen to global recognition, toppling even deceased former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos's infamy or that of Lea Salonga's Broadway acclaim. American celebrities like Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington, and Jeremy Piven, among others, would even watch his fights and training sessions. He's become a commercial model, with local and international endorsements. His venture into politics has made Bob Arum predict that he could be a potential contender for the Philippine presidency in a few decades, something that worries the Philippines' political and social elite - whether they admit it or not. Indeed, boxing as a sport and an entertainment platform certainly benefited from Manny's many punches, but the experience has tremendously affected the boxer's life.
Pacman's Generosity and Other Issues
When it comes to sharing his blessings with others he may or may not know, Manny isn't one of those who bring media people with him whenever he's going to do something good. It's the people who invite him who do so - without asking Pacquiao if it's okay. The guy doesn't mind of course. From being a poor, thin boy from one of the formerly neglected provinces in the southern Philippines, Manny has become a self-assured man. Yet - except for his duties as a boxer, politician, and parent - he doesn't take things seriously, including those who criticize him for his singing.
I've actually seen Manny Pacquiao in person - twice. One was during a conference on anti-human trafficking held in a hotel in Manila; while the other was during a scheduled speech for the same cause at the Batasang Pambansa, the home of many political crocodiles that comprise the Philippine Congress. In both occasions, Manny was approachable, always smiling and receptive to ambush photo sessions with fans and non-fans alike. Though I wanted to have the same "privilege" and make it a souvenir for my father who is a boxing fan along with my other uncles, I just looked at him and said a short prayer, hoping for an early retirement while he's at the peak of his career as a boxer.
In spite of the rumors about his extra-marital affairs, one thing that I admire about Manny is his generosity. The documentary I saw featured a sparring partner - a Mexican like Marquez and some of his previous opponents - who recently got married and whom Pacquiao gifted with a check, the amount of which was more than enough to buy a house in California. This guy couldn't believe that Manny would give him that much (he didn't reveal though). I just hope that the Mexicans who've been hurling invectives at him after his third match with Marquez would take note of the fact that Manny has helped one of their kind. I won't be surprised if there he'd rendered help to many other Mexicans whenever he stays in the US.
Another beneficiary of his generous nature happens to be his best friend forever (BFF) Buboy Fernandez who was also as poor as he was when they were much younger. Looking at Fernandez, I could sense his devotion and loyalty to his friend. In another show, he even expressed his disgust against the "hangers-on" who refer to themselves as Pacquiao's "friends". Fernandez doubts the sincerity of these people and advised them to stop sowing intrigue.
Aside from his friends, Manny is likewise generous to his relatives. The pain that paternal abandonment when he was still a kid didn't stop him from giving his father a comfortable life. His current television program also attracts thousands of Filipinos who wish to receive even just an iota of his "grace". However, if it weren't for boxing, I doubt Manny would have the privilege to be as generous as he is today.
Outside the ring, Manny is a magnet to critics - both from sports enthusiasts and from those who like to pry on other people's lives. An alleged philanderer who's sired several kids from different women, Manny is mum about an ongoing rift with his wife Jinkee who has stood by him even as a struggling boxer. This situation is made worse by those who believed Marquez won their third fight.
Some quarters think that it was a deliberate move from business investors to make Pacquiao the victim of unfavorable public opinion. Perhaps it could encourage Floyd Mayweather Jr. to finally relent and fight Manny. The questionable victory could also serve as a signal for Pacquiao that his reign as the "king" of boxing or as the Filipino Champ is about to kiss the ground.
It is possible that his personal issues may have affected Manny's aggressiveness inside the ring; although some say it's because of a recurring leg injury that showed its head during that fight. I say that it's really time for Pacquaio to retire.
Thing is, with the debatable win over Marquez in their recent fight, it is highly possible for Manny to opt for another match and prove to others that he's still alive and kicking a#*$%.
I just hope though that he'd be more honest with himself when he isn't fighting a fellow boxer, or when he's being bombarded by nosy media with questions about his personal life, or when he's spending time with his wife and kids.
More than being a boxing commodity or a profit-making machine of, for, and by gambling whores, Manny Pacquiao is a reminder to millions of Filipinos (and struggling boxing fans worldwide) that life is not merely a punch-driven process aimed at gaining wealth, power, or fame, but an enduring fight against a socio-economic and political system that trivializes one's worth as a human being.
