I know this is quite a late post considering that Manny Pacquiao’s most recent victory happened at least a month ago. It’s just that, it is only now that I remember to write about him, something that I planned to do as soon as he won over Juan Manuel Marquez last month. Before going any further, I must confess that I am not a boxing aficionado (just dead serious about following any kababayan who is making good anywhere in the world). I do not know the rules in boxing, and my comments here are based on my general knowledge about how people should conduct themselves and relate with other people. In other words, this is a layman’s view on boxing and boxers. A raw if not a naive assessment of what is observable in the situations and stories I will mention here.
Anyway, I remembered about PacMan and this article I am supposed to write just last night, when my husband and I were talking about Amir Khan. Amir Khan is UK’s “worldclass boxer”, to put it in their own words. He is a 22-year old rather good looking guy who bears a slight resemblance to our very own Carlos Agassi. He is of Pakistani descent but born, raised and schooled in the UK. He is hailed here as their golden boy in boxing – mind you, he never lost a fight yet.
In his last fight earlier this month, he went against a seasoned boxer who is slightly older than him. He won the fight, but I saw in him a reckless fighter, one who should acquire more finesse in his techniques. Most importantly, I am of the opinion that he should fine-tune his manners in the ring just a little bit more. There was a round during that particular match that he continued to rain punches on his opponent EVEN when the latter was already down on his knees, head ducked and arms raised in an attempt to ward off Khan’s beating.
This YouTube video contains that particular portion of the fight I am talking about:
At that time, I could not help but compare him with our very own PacMan. I have seen Manny in his numerous fights and always, when he brings his opponent down, he immediately runs to the neutral corner. In fact, I used to think he should have “finished off” the fight by sustaining the barrage of punches, but then ignorant me did not care much about ethics and manners of fighters. I was just concerned that my countryman wins. Until I saw how it looks like when etiquette and good taste are thrown out the window.
In Khan’s case, the referee did not stop him soon enough from punching even with the other boxer’s disadvantaged position. It’s not that the referee was remiss in his duties – just a tad late in his reaction. However, as a fighter, I don’t think Amir Khan needed anyone to remind him of the rules if he really was a gentleman in the ring. I am not saying that he should not have won – he did by all accounts. I am just concerned about his heart, his character as a fighter.
That is why, I can’t help but admire our very own Manny Pacquiao even more. He fought with men he called his idols when he was younger, and he gained them as friends after defeating them. This speaks of his humility and character. Again, as an inexperienced observer, I think this is Manny’s secret of success. He has the heart of a real champion – fighting bravely but not forgetting being humane and respecting his opponents. In a sport as ruthless and sometimes bloody like boxing, it is easy to forget how to respect one’s opponents. Which Manny never did.
I asked my husband if there was any chance Manny could come here to the UK to face Amir Khan (I have no idea how arrangements for those title bouts and matches work). He said that Khan is not yet within Manny’s “radar” – whatever that means. But Amir Khan is good, too and having won all his fights, it proves that he is on his way to greater things. With the way the boy is hailed here, it should not be very long before he gets to meet our very own. Then, he should learn a thing or two about our gentleman fighter that is Manny Pacquiao.
Manny Pacquiao – the man with the quintessential rags-to- riches story, a true Filipino who never forgets to bring his entire country, culture and heritage to the ring and one who makes us proud, brings us to our knees to pray for his victory all the time and inspires us to triumph even in the midst of seemingly insurmountable difficulties in our lives individually and as a nation.
Way to go Pinoys! Friend, eto I left a comment for you. I like your new blog:) I’ve been visiting hotmama of course pero I thought I made mention already of my other blog. Tagal na un eh but it’s just recently that I incorporated it with my 24 Hour paradigm blog.
this is one great blog! i admire you for writing about the great pinoys, talented naman talaga tayo eh 🙂
Nice that you posts some of the achievements of Pinoys abroad.Your entries here are very interesting.
BTW,thanks for the visit and sorry for taking so long kasi we’re busy right now in our upcoming move.
Have a nice evening!
Hi HotMomma,
Proud to be Pinay although hindi ko masyado feel si PacMan babaero kasi e. Anyway that’s just my own view.
By the way I have a tag for you – http://www.pinayjade.com/2008/05/kids-question-to-you.html
manny is the best!! He really makes all Filipinos proud.
Perhaps the reason why Amir Khan and manny can’t fight is because they dont belong to the same divsion or category or whatever they call it manny is featherweight and Khan is lightweight.
thanks, everyone for leaving your comments.
Mina, salamat naman nakabisita ka na rin dito.
Liza, I would say “amen” to your claim that we are indeed talented.
Amor, hope naging maayos ang paglilipat nyo. do keep us posted in your blog about your new dig and everything, ok?
Wendy, hello! They both belong to lightweight division so they should have a chance. It’s just that Manny is way too experienced compared to Amir, who has just been fighting fighters within Europe. Samantalang si Manny, he invades other lands to face their best fighters he he he!