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He already has the money, he's already achieved everything in boxing that any pugilist could ever dream of. What else can the sport that made him an icon offer him to keep him from hanging up those Cleto Reyes gloves? From gracing the covers of esteemed publications such as Time Magazine, having his life story featured on CBS's 60 Minutes and The Biography Channel, to being named as one of the most influential people in the planet, Filipino Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao has done did it. He didn't just make it, he raised the bar, took the game and elevated it.
Seven division world championship belts going for eight.
4-time BWAA Fighter of the Year and Fighter of the Decade.
Do I really need to bore you with his list of accomplishments?
So the question that surrounds Pacquiao now is: 'How much longer will Pacquiao remain in the sport of boxing?'
Reports have surfaced regarding Pacquiao losing focus in training due to his new responsibilities as a Congressman, and even his trainer Freddie Roach fearing he might've lost his most prized fighter to politics have given boxing fans enough reason to fear the inevitable. Pacquiao, like any other boxing great or athlete, will walk away from the game at some point. Is that point near? What else is there for Pacquio in boxing for him to stay?
Money is a good reason, especially when we're talking about multi-millions, but that's not quite exactly why I believe Manny Pacquiao won't be walking away from the sport of boxing any time soon. And by soon, I mean, after his fight against Antonio Margarito on November 13.
The prospect of fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. since his return is definitely something that has captured everyone's fascination, but even that won't be the primary reason Pacquiao will stay in boxing. Pacquiao has said numerous times that he does not feel the need to fight Mayweather since he believes that his accomplishments compared to Mayweather's speak for itself. They do. There are serveral undefeated fighters in the world, but there is only one 7-division world champion and Fighter of the Decade.
So why will Pacquiao stay?
Because Pacquiao is an entertainer. The man loves, relishes and thrives off the limelight.
Pacquiao can walk away from all the things listed above, but the hardest thing he'll ever have to walk away from is the adulation his fans give him as a boxer. It's that same adulation and attention that pushes him to do other activities such as singing, acting and everything else. But without boxing, would anybody really show up to a Manny Pacquiao concert at Rangers Field across the street from the new Dallas Stadium? If Pacquiao had some form of talent in anything, he would jump on it and perform in front of a crowd because he loves the attention he gets from it. At some point he will definitely retire, but not when he can still perform. The guy scores 85 on karaoke, runs with it and turns it into a singing career while performing in concerts and TV shows, and as long as people are buying into it, who's to stop him from doing so? In his own words he "loves making people happy". People are happy to come see him fight in the ring for as long as he can and still compete at a high level. His focus may dwindle, but since when has Pacquiao showed that he can turn down a crowd- especially if that crowd is in the multi-millions?
Let that thought marinate in your minds before you disagree and let me tell you this: Pacquiao may be finding his new political career to be exciting and interesting, but politics in the Philippines is an unforgiving industry. There will come a time when Pacquiao will start getting hit left and right with criticisms, and the adulation he used to get from his colleagues and countrymen that in one way or another was influenced by his ring exploits, will start to wither.
Case in point: Former senator and Philippine basketball icon Robert Jaworski.
Jaworski aka "The Big J" aka “The Living Legend” is the most iconic figure on Philippine basketball history; He was beloved by the basketball-crazy nation. He is the Philippine Basketball Association's version of “The Logo” Jerry West (An image of Jaworski's silhouette dons the PBA logo similar to West's on the NBA logo). Every time he played, the whole stadium would erupt with chants of “Jaworski! Jaworski! Jaworski!” similar to how fans would yell Manny's name when he fights. Jaworski was Pacquiao before Pacquiao ever threw a single punch. And like Pacquiao, Jaworski's popularity led to a political seat.
Jaworski eventually had to walk away from basketball to fulfill his political duties. As time went on, and just like most outsiders chartering into the harsh currents of politics in the Philippines, Jaworski got caught up in the cutthroat nature of politics which led to intrigue and a decline in his once untouchable popularity. During the EDSA Revolution of 2001, which coincidentally involved a close Pacquiao political ally named Chavit Singson, the once unimaginable happened; Jaworski was attacked by a protester, who claimed to be a former fan, after his idol flip-flopped sides in the middle of civilian uprising. I can vividly remember one sign another protester was holding that said something like "Big J, You let Barangay Ginebra down".
Now before I bore you with all this political talk, long story short, politics will soon take its toll on Pacquiao. He will miss the adoration of his fans amidst the stresses of the vile world of politics. Although his constituents may still chant his name every time he delivers a speech, it will never be the same compared to when they chanted his name while he was doing the one thing that he does best- boxing.
Pacquiao is a smart person, and deep down, he knows he needs to stay in boxing. And quite frankly, it's also for his own good. As Filipinos have grown to know, and Pacquiao might personally discover himself, there is no better elixir to any depressing situation than a Manny Pacquiao victory. Pacquiao will be thrown into controversies and see a drop in his popularity ratings at some point. And when that happens, he will be itching to lace his gloves up once again. It's a different story if he's actually done like Jaworski was when he ventured into politics. With that said, I believe Pacquiao is a smart man. And smart money says he will be sticking around. Take in consideration the other reasons I stated in the beginning of this article, it would simply be too foolish for Pacquiao not to.
Dennis "dSource" Guillermo can be reached through email @ dennisguillermo2@yahoo.com.
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Comments
Excellent article!!!
it happened before..seem likely it will happen again..good point Mr. Guillermo
For Mayweather, plenty boxers out there with undefeated records and even more brilliant records.., so that his claim of greatness because he has 41-0 mark is pale. Pacquiao is the one and only boxer who achieved a 7 world titles in as many weight classes and he will try to break his own record come November 13 gunning for 8 world titles in 8 different division. True, he doesn't need Floyd Mayweather but it's the other way around.
Why you hate ilocano? I think u just need attention.. your name is manila boy right? In Visayas if youre from manila and MAYABANG kagaya mo. ang tingin sayo ay taga bukid. If mabaho or barat sila. COme to Canada or States most of the Filipinos who are having a good life are ilocanos. because theyre thrifty and wise.. not like you still living in the squatters area.. wake up man! throw away that crabby thing.. I can consider manila as a MODERN TOWN.. not a big city becasue of the attitude of people like you..
@manila boy, ur living in baclaran and still you're now residing in cubao but still you are the most stupid person. all of you are garbage people, you like to spit your saliva infront of others, you dont know how to throw your garbage properly, you like to take a bath in rain or in manila bay, you stink moron.. i have a friend from las pinas and he is very kuripot than those typical ilocano.. your another shit pretending knowing about ilocanos.. please look yourself first in the mirror how ugly your face is before you comment shit like this..
Bakit naman ganoon ang galit mo sa mga Ilocano? Siguro noong iyong nilapitan dahil sa higpit mo na pangangailangan a di ka pinautang. Huwag mo namang nilala-at ang mga Ilocano dahil katulad din ng mga Kapampangan may mga mababait din. Aba, ikaw rin mahirap din yata maubusan ng angin.
Ilocanos represent the Philippines and Filipinos very well here in the US. The first generation, or Secadas, that came to Hawaii at the turn of the 20th century, and in the 1930s were mostly Ilocanos. They were farmers who helped develop Hawaii's agriculture at the time. Today, their children are politicians, successful businessmen, professionals, and the majority of them are college educated. These Ilocanos also return to the Philippines to give and share what they had earned with less fortunate family and community members. These Ilocanos make no distinction between Visayans, Cebuanos, or other Filipinos. They see only that we are Filipino. Is this because they are educated and recognize the disparity between what they have and what those in the Philippines do not? Or, are they the target of envy for crab mentality Flips like you? BTW, these same Ilocanos celebrate a Pacquiao victory with passion and pride recognizing only our similarities with Pac's hardships as a young man to his current successes as parallel with their own.
may sayad k boy.. . you need medical attention. . . walang taong matino ang isipan ang ganyan s kapwa tao nya. . . i do not pity you, I DESPISE YOU AS A FELLOW FILIPINO.
Hmn, I thought all along it was Arnaiz in that PBA Logo.
Dennis, you are one of a kind boxing writer like Pacquiao is one of a kind in boxing. Sometimes it is difficult to believe how good and how deep you write about something, especially when it comes to articles about Pacquiao. By the way, does Floyd Jr have a boxing site like Pacquiao's PACLAND? Wala ata! It looks like Pacquiao is the only boxer that has a site this magnitude where writers can earn their keep.
Mga Kapatid kong mga Filipino lets stop putting our
brown brothers down.Our country needs more attention from us.its doesn't matter if you from Visaya,
Luzon,Mindanao,we are filipinos let us unite brothers
put all those non sense aside.is gonna make our
country progressive. peace.
My sentiments exactly brother.
Great article, Sir! BTW, you don't "graze" a magazine cover, you "grace" it. :)
Pac should retire after Margacheato win or lose. There is nothing to prove. Hang up your gloves Pac...if you do not care about your health, you have a family that worries about you! Health is more important than fame and fortune. Hope you are smart enough to know it.
.....and the home of the brave!..........( well, with the exception of Floyd Chicken.
Floyd ducked Pac, Cotto and Margarito just to protect his "0"..... lol!
what a pussy!
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