Nakapaninindig balahibo. Ang sarap maging Filipino. Muli salamat Manny Pacquiao!
I opened this post in Filipino, thanking the man who just minutes ago showed the whole world the determination, the courage and the strength of the Filipino boxer.
Nobody expected it. Not even Manny himself. The fight with British boxer Ricky "the Hitman" Hatton, taunted as the greatest challenge in Pacquiao's boxing career ended in just two round...actually 10-seconds shy away from the end of Round 2 or to be exact---359 seconds of boxing! Power, precision, and a lot faith. Tons of it!
A right hook brought Hatton twice during the first round. But while Hitman was watching more of that right hook, it was Pacman's left hook to the chin that ended Hitman's goal to punish the Filipino boxer from General Santos City in Southern Philippines.
A clear victory. Pound per pound, Manny has again affirmed what the world now acknowledge as true: that he is the best in the world. A boxing superstar for the ages working at his peak says one boxing analyst.
Radio broadcaster and boxing commentator Orly Trinidad over DZBB can't help but compare that moment with a rushing PNR train ramming towards Hatton and crushing all his defenses. In Filipino Trinidad said, " parang bumunggo sa panga ni Hitman ang isang tren ng PNR!" Thanks to GMA-7' AM radio--those of us who did not rush to the malls or paid per view for this historic fight were able to get the blow by blow account of the East versus West fight. The truth is--listening to it on radio offers a different thrill. Good job Pareng Orly and the rest of the DZBB men and women who brought us the fight live on air!
I wonder where is Floyd Mayweather Sr. who in the HBO-documentary aired last night at GMA-7 entitled "Pacman/Hitman 24/7", the Sr. Mayweather ridiculed the way Pacquiao executes his punches and described it as "amateur." He even said that after the fight with Hatton, "Pacman would be history. Game over."
Watching that documentary late last night, as a Filipino, I cannot help but feel rage and I am sure those who saw it, felt the same intensity of anger towards that statement. It was all air, arrogance and coming from someone who has no appreciation about the capacity of the human spirit to emerge victorious. For someone who was once a boxer himself, much is expected from Hatton's trainor. He should know. It's not all training. It's not even about all tactics and strategy.
It's the heart of a true champion that defines the outcome of any fight.
I could not wait what the Sr. Mayweather has to say after this fight. The irony here is that his own son, staging a comeback is most likely the next man on the ring to face the boxer he ridiculed so much. They have not spoken for years, the Sr. and the Jr. Mayweather. Would the October bout between the Jr. Mayweather with the Philippines' Pacman result into the reunion of father and son? Well...that's another story worth watching.
It was a good thing that Hatton too showed humility in many instances and left the talking and the heckling to his trainor. More than in Manny's favor, Ricky wanted this fight and he got it. Unfortunately, it did not end the way he wanted it to be.
To the Hitman from Manchester, England, your place in boxing history is secure. You are a damn good fighter too. Am sure it was an honor for our Pacman to have shared the ring with you.
Once again, Manny offered his victory to all Filipinos and to all boxing fans around the world, and that included the thousands of British fans of Hatton who traveled across the continent to cheer for their own. This is your moment too. Another episode entered into the pages of professional boxing history.
Top boxing promoter Bob Arum made a bold statement after Pacquiao's victory and we quote him, "When the full story is told, he will be declared as the greatest fighter that ever lived." Arum said this pointing to the fact that as an athlete, Pacquiao kept on improving his craft, learning and learning and learning some more.
The truth is, Manny's example is not just for athletes like him. The lesson is universal. Anyone could learn from Manny's example. From humble beginnings, he managed to reached the highest point of his boxing career and yet he kept on improving, learning some more and acknowledging the one true thing about life, that each step you take, each day that passes by, is an opportunity to learn, discover and yes---execute the things that are part of the endless possibilities of life.
But by now---all those who remain doubtful of why this man, Pacman, Aling Dionisia's beloved son, emerge victorious fight after fight---I point you to the one statement he said in the HBO 24/7 documentary: "If God doesn't want me to win, I will not win. If he want's me to lose the fight, no matter what I do, even how hard I practice and strategize, I will lose. It's all up to Him."
In an interview in his dug-out after the fight---Manny said it again: That not just in boxing, anyone who believes and truly acknowledges that everything comes from God, can do anything and can win any battle.
Manny, once again, we are overwhelmed and truly proud of the victory you attached to the Filipino flag.
Mayaman, mahirap, nasa taas, nasa baba, nasaan mang kalagayan, --- ipinaalala mong muli sa amin ang nandudumilat na katotohanan na ang lahat ng ito ay may Iisang kapangyarihang pinagmulan.
You showed us. You showed the world. Thank you Manny!
Ang sarap isigaw---lahi ko'y Filipino. Dugong marangal. Dugong magiting. Dugong malaya.(end)
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