No one can ignore the dominance of Manny Pacquiao.
What Manny has been able to achieve in such a short time is nothing short of amazing. His rise to stardom has given boxing a much needed shot in the arm. Seven titles in seven different weight classes is something that we may never see again in our lifetime.
As boxing fans, we should all sit back, and enjoy this sure-fire hall of famer while he's still in his prime.
Cherish the moment.
ALL MANNY ALL THE TIME
Now that the obvious has been stated, let's get to the steak and potatoes.
The only drawback to Pacquiao's arrival as boxing's newest superstar, is that it has caused an influx of so-called boxing experts.
Whenever I travel to cover boxing cards from press row, I always make a point to talk boxing with the other credentialed media members and boxing scribes whenever possible. There are always two types I generally come across, those who possess a vast knowledge on the sport and it's rich history, and those who know nothing other than Manny Pacquiao.
If you ask them a question about any other fighter, you will get either a generic answer at best or an anti-Mayweather rant.
It's an extremely depressing thing to witness.
PACTARDS & PACQUIAO FANS
This goes for fans too. Try browsing any boxing message board on the web. There's almost a 100% guarantee that you'll find a group of people known as "Pactards".
A Pactard is a die-hard Manny Pacquiao fan who will defend Manny's every move as if he's the second coming of Christ. The average Pactard thinks that Manny could knockout Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali, and Sugar Ray Robinson within 4 rounds. They will quickly spit venom into the faces of any person who does not worship the ground their hero walks on.
There's nothing wrong with being a fan, but when your boxing knowledge begins and ends with Manny Pacquiao, don't pretend to act is if you fully understand the intricacies of the sport.
The true Pacquiao fans respect the sport of boxing, know it's history, and have the utmost respect for Manny's opponents. At the end of the day they realize that Pacquiao puts his pants on one leg at a time like everyone else.
THE BEST ASIAN FIGHTER EVER?
By the time Pacquiao finishes his illustrious career, more than likely he will be without a doubt the greatest Asian fighter to ever lace them up. If you asked this question to the segment of Pacquiao followers who knew nothing about him until the second Morales fight, you would probably be scalped for even asking such a question.
The thought of Pancho Villa or Khaosai Galaxy would never cross their minds.
SIMPLE PLEA
Although many of the newer fans don't realize it, there is more to boxing than what Manny Pacquiao has done since 2003. There have been other great Asian fighters besides Manny Pacquiao, and there are CURRENTLY other great Filipino and Asian fighters besides Manny Pacquiao.
For once, can we remove ourselves from the Pacquiao matrix and brush up on our history and general boxing knowledge? It would definitely spark far more tolerable boxing conversations with Pacquiao followers.
Comments
Well put Earney,
I've been a fan of the sport since childhood. My days spent in front of the VCR recording fights Saturdays for my dad are great memories. Although I didn't think it was then only because I would of rather been playing outside like the rest of my friends. Instead I got to watch the likes of Ray 'Boom Boom Mancini, Pryor. The Spinks brothers and of course the era when boxing was great during the times of Duran, Leonard and the likes. I'm sure somewhere amongst the piles of home videos in my parents storage those hours of boxing moments are still there. Not sure if I can find a VCR to play it on though. (ha-ha). Back to your point of 'Pactards'. The Philippines have always had 2 sports that the people loved to watch. Basketball and Boxing. We'll never understand the passion only because in North America we have dozens of sports to watch and participate in. Boxing would surely take a back seat. MANNY is also 'The' only athlete to make headlines. Think about that...
Good points, but new attention to the sport is not necessarily a bad thing. Hopefully though, some will look to other fighters/fights in the sweet science.
Good Job. I love the pride shown by Manny's Pinoy fans but I hate the Johnny-come-lately Pacfan that has only been watching boxing for a year but won't hesitate to offer his opionion which usually goes like this. Pac=good Mayweather=bad Everybody else=meh
Nice insight! Well put... headlined it on frontpageboxing.com/texas/
I definitely can't claim to know anywhere near all of the sports' history, but definitely agree that some understanding of previous hystorical figures is a must.
Claiming the "now" will always trump what was, well, there's just no clear-cut way of knowing. Ultimately though, fans will be fans, and boxers cannot be held accountable for whatever nonsense their undying legions of followers say/do.
Safe bet that Manny knows who they are though.
Good piece, Mr. White.
BEST...Examiner Boxing Article...EVER
Somewhere out there Marv Dumon is bent over in pain cuz he just got kicked in the balls..
Great job, bro. Flash Elorde, Fighting Harada, Pancho Villa, Yoko Gushiken, Pone Kingpetch, Masao Ohba..the Asians have had more World Champions than any other ethnic culture in history, so it is impossible to say that Manny is the best. I asked him that very question in person at the Space Center Houston, and he told me he didn't like to compare himself with other Asian Greats, and for all of the "Pactards" that have not met him, Manny is the epitome of a Gentleman.
SK
Any attention to boxing is a good thing, regardless of what the bandwagon fans say or do. Where would boxing be right now if you took away Pacquiao and Mayweather? Not in the Cowboys stadium or being talked about by more people than it has been in years that's for sure.
Besides fighters come and go, the real fans will still be left over after Pacquiao is done
This writer is a joke..
I won't eat up that humblbeness, the man is the biggest EGOTISTIC poor minded pinoy. Look the names he uses for his children or anything else and his on family side.
This is the best Examiner article I have ever read.
Very well written.
Its one thing to be a fan of a fighter. Its another matter all together to use that fighter's success to launch bitter racist rants and tirades. Many "pactards" visit blogs and boards just to launch hatred and ignorance all in the name of being Filipino and loving Pacquiao.
Many of the more misinformed pactards have even gone so far to imply that Pacquiao has somehow surpassed greats like Jack Johnson and Ray Robinson .. which is the worst case of hyperbole that I have ever heard in the sport of boxing.
Aside from the brilliant article that the author has written and discussed, the most neglected and unappreciated aspect of the sport of boxing is longevity. All of the great built entire careers in order to be considered among the greatest of all time. Most of them fought 15 rounds to do it.
When you factor in that Pacquiao has needed catchweights to be competitive and caught all his biggest wins over boxers coming off of their biggest losses the glow of the almighty "Pinoy" is significantly lessened and the legacy weakened.
May I ask if Floyd managed to lure Martinez down to 145lbs with the promise of an 8 figure payday ... would Floyd be given the full credit if he won?
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