For the longest time, I've closely followed Manny Pacquiao's quest for pound-for-pound excellence. In every bout, he never failed to deliver. I was once a skeptic of the Pacman and his boxing skills. In his earlier days as a professional boxer, I didn't really think he would elevate himself from where he was then to where he is now. In fact, whenever my dad and brother watched his fight I often chose not to watch.
All that changed after I saw Manny demolish Thai boxer Chatchai Sasakul in a fight I never thought he even had a chance to win. He was clearly beat up in the entire bout until a killer of a punch knocked out the poor Thai. Since then, I became a believer. Sure, he had a few ups and downs that I almost thought ended his career. But the man clearly had something back then that promised a brilliant future ahead of him.
Manny’s success didn’t come easy. He came from a poor family in General Santos City and did menial jobs to help support the family. Though he didn’t pursue his studies due to poverty, he was smart enough to know what he was truly good at. Boxing became his pleasure. He utilized his potential by honing his skills. And so he continued on with his dream of making a living out of boxing. Nothing was impossible for a man determined to chase his dreams. In one interview of Pacquiao, he narrated how he would put metal in his pockets to add a few pounds to his weight because he was underweight and that he cheated his age just so he could fight. Manny won nearly all his bouts and in destructive fashion. A few international fights have made him a household name among Filipinos. He held belts in two different weight divisions. It seemed as if he had it already big until things got a lot "bigger".
In 2001, Manny was chosen as a last minute replacement for the undercard of the Oscar Dela Hoya-Javier Castillejo bout. He fought Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and stopped the South African boxer in the 6th round. He fought a few more matches to defend his super bantamweight title until the chance to fight the great Marco Antonio Barrera came and the rest as they say is history.
Manny’s a gem of a talent who was waiting for his moment to shine. Trainer Freddie Roach polished Manny’s boxing skills, refining his once crude style in the ring into a well-rounded one. Pacquiao has been famous for his strong left hook that could stagger any unsuspecting victim. He’s likewise wowed critics with his tremendous speed and agility. With every match, his style never ceased to entertain, which made him an exciting fighter to watch.
But amongst all the amazing things he could do inside the ring, it’s his will to win that led him to where he is now. I’ve never seen anyone like him who gives himself entirely for the glory of winning. Manny’s bravery as a fighter is unparalleled. When he plays, he attacks and has no apprehensions. He is a true warrior who is not afraid to fight and take risks. I had doubted his ability to defeat stronger opponents several times before. But each time, he proved my doubts wrong. So if he tries convincing me once again that he can defeat a much bigger, classier opponent and that the odds are not in his favor, I guess I’ll have to believe he can. For as long as he’s got the heart to fight, there’s no way he could lose.
All that changed after I saw Manny demolish Thai boxer Chatchai Sasakul in a fight I never thought he even had a chance to win. He was clearly beat up in the entire bout until a killer of a punch knocked out the poor Thai. Since then, I became a believer. Sure, he had a few ups and downs that I almost thought ended his career. But the man clearly had something back then that promised a brilliant future ahead of him.
Manny’s success didn’t come easy. He came from a poor family in General Santos City and did menial jobs to help support the family. Though he didn’t pursue his studies due to poverty, he was smart enough to know what he was truly good at. Boxing became his pleasure. He utilized his potential by honing his skills. And so he continued on with his dream of making a living out of boxing. Nothing was impossible for a man determined to chase his dreams. In one interview of Pacquiao, he narrated how he would put metal in his pockets to add a few pounds to his weight because he was underweight and that he cheated his age just so he could fight. Manny won nearly all his bouts and in destructive fashion. A few international fights have made him a household name among Filipinos. He held belts in two different weight divisions. It seemed as if he had it already big until things got a lot "bigger".
In 2001, Manny was chosen as a last minute replacement for the undercard of the Oscar Dela Hoya-Javier Castillejo bout. He fought Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and stopped the South African boxer in the 6th round. He fought a few more matches to defend his super bantamweight title until the chance to fight the great Marco Antonio Barrera came and the rest as they say is history.
Manny’s a gem of a talent who was waiting for his moment to shine. Trainer Freddie Roach polished Manny’s boxing skills, refining his once crude style in the ring into a well-rounded one. Pacquiao has been famous for his strong left hook that could stagger any unsuspecting victim. He’s likewise wowed critics with his tremendous speed and agility. With every match, his style never ceased to entertain, which made him an exciting fighter to watch.
But amongst all the amazing things he could do inside the ring, it’s his will to win that led him to where he is now. I’ve never seen anyone like him who gives himself entirely for the glory of winning. Manny’s bravery as a fighter is unparalleled. When he plays, he attacks and has no apprehensions. He is a true warrior who is not afraid to fight and take risks. I had doubted his ability to defeat stronger opponents several times before. But each time, he proved my doubts wrong. So if he tries convincing me once again that he can defeat a much bigger, classier opponent and that the odds are not in his favor, I guess I’ll have to believe he can. For as long as he’s got the heart to fight, there’s no way he could lose.
No comments:
Post a Comment