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Manny Pacquiao (AP Photo)
America may think different of Manny Pacquiao these days, especially after his name has been unjustly associated with EPO and performance enhancing drugs, but just as the saying goes, "sticks and stones..".
See, this is America nowadays. We love eating our own. We fancy seeing our celebrities shoot up to superstardom, just so we can watch them on TMZ crumble back to earth or nit-pick and read about their flaws and shortcomings in the magazines.
If the story sells, regardless of how little facts a writer, broadcasters or ESPN analysts have on the subject matter, they will roll with it. As one Teddy Atlas said, "we are paid lots of money for our opinions".
My colleague Michael Marley up in the Big Apple published a well written piece recently entitled 'Why America looks at Manny Pacquiao as damaged goods'. It was so well-written that I just had to write something based on it.
In the piece, Marley wrote,
Manny Pacquiao, damaged goods. Now on tour in Texas, New York and California.
If Manny Pacquaio does not always wear earmuffs, then he can surely hear the giggles, the snickers and the whisper behind his back.
If Manny Pacquaio does not wear blinders like the carriage horses who clip clop around Central Park, then he can see how Americans of all descriptions are looking at him differently now, with a jaundiced eye.
Like I say I don’t think Pacman is deaf or dumb so he must know what the “man in the street” thinks when he hears his name or sees him.
Cheater, drug user, not the marvelous fighter that he’s been billed as.
Pacquiao is damaged goods, friends, and whether he has been unjustly accused or not, some of that damage is irreversible.
I mostly agree and somewhat disagree. The only part where I feel dissident is the part where it says some of the damage is irreversible. Fortunately for Pacquiao, he lives in the Philippines. He is in America to make dollars, but he goes back home each time to his country to spend it in peso.
What does that tell you? Pacquiao probably does not care about what 'America thinks' as much as these mainstream media people think.
Whatever America's 'man on the street' thinks-- you can include Joe the Plumber and Hillbilly Bob as well-- Pacquiao does not have to live with it. He actually answered that question manufactured by mainstream media on why would anyone walk away from 40 million dollars because of some blood tests. I have to say mainstream because hardcore boxing fans and most of those who follow the sport closely don't even buy this line of thinking unless it's the pro-Mayweather outlets from his hometown or those who have their ties. A lot of unbiased people simply go by what they've seen. They just haven't seen any significant red flags like how Pacquiao moved up in weight (3-5 pounds gained in the past 5 years) nor the way his body is ripped. These people I am talking about include Harold Lederman, Timothy Bradley, Roy Jones Jr., John Chavez, Ricardo Lois (people think this guy is a Pacquiao hater), Larry Merchant and many many more. These are not nameless reliable sources but real hardcore followers of the sport and if not fighters themselves.
In an interview with a local TV station in the Philippines before he left for his press tour in Dallas, Pacquiao clearly stated with conviction that he could care less about the money. He has made plenty already and knows he'll be making more even without Mayweather. The guy is not greedy. He has practically given away more than half of his earnings.
Further, he told the TV station that he fights for his country's honor and legacy. All this blood drawing and baseless steroids claims his opponents are spreading, to him is simply a ploy to make him weaker and easier to beat on fight night. Because unlike Mayweather, Pacquiao never belittled Floyd's ability. In fact, he considers Mayweather as the ultimate challenge. With that said, why would he come in and fight weakened and compromised? Pacquiao does not just fight for checks like Floyd proudly says he does. Pacquiao fights to win- for honor and glory of his country.
SO if America can not fathom that, too bad. But life goes on for Manny Pacquiao. Just in case you haven't realized, all these baseless accusations and negativity all these American media and Golden Boy Promotions together with Team Mayweather have conjured up against him, have even united and made his fans pull harder for him. And unless there's any facts to dispel his innocence, Pacquiao's name will continue to be fragrant.
What can I say? This issue can go either way. As much as people will say Pacquiao's fans are blinded, easily they too can be called gullible and blinded by mainstream media, ignorance and prejudice. All they got are theories and doubts, no tangible facts. Fact is, it's American media we are talking about, but America is just a part of the world. There's a whole different level of consciousness outside it and quite honestly, they may not be as simple-minded as America's 'man on the street'.
More so, Pacquiao may be 'damaged goods' to some, but is that really news? Didn't his haters say he just beat up a dehydrated Oscar Dela Hoya, a damaged Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto and older washed-up Mexican legends? What else is new? You can't please everybody, and definitely not America. Haters will hate; his fans will believe. But the thing is, what Atlas said isn't really the only word on the street. I am also hearing a lot who consider Pacquiao a modern day Robin Hood; a man of the people being bullied to a corner by the real thieves that steal from the people. Pacquiao has exposed Mayweather's ducking habits to the world. After all, it was Floyd who went out of his way to bash Pacquiao in the past and his father even said that regardless of whatever Pacquiao is taking, that 'steroids does not give you skills' and that his son would still easily beat him. What ever happened to walking the talk? And for Floyd to insist Pacquiao to do these strenuous and intrusive blood tests simply showed how concerned he was of someone he said he would easily beat.
The facts are all on Pacquiao's side. And if the speculation slants America's vision of him, that speaks more about America, not Pacquiao. Can you imagine if LeBron James or Peyton Manning were subjected to these kinds of baseless accusations? And it's not that Pacquiao is unwilling to take tests, he just doesn't want them near the night of competition. In fact, he recently tested negative in a random surprise drug testing the Nevada State Athletic Commission demanded for him to take- just like the rest of the times he has taken them.
You can insist that blood testing will not weaken a fighter or what not because Michael Phelps had his blood drawn and still won gold in the Olympics and all that, but Phelps is not boxing. Pacquiao stated right after his loss to Erik Morales in 2005 that he felt dizzy, weak and did not have the same power in his fists after blood was taken from him just 48 hours before his fight. Phelps and swimmers don't have weigh-ins. They don't get their heads pounded and cut when they compete. If Pacquiao is speaking from his experience, then who are we, especially all these people who are not Pacquiao and have never competed at the level he has in boxing, to tell him he will not feel weakened?
And didn't an Olympic runner say this: 2008 Jamaican Olympics sprinter Asafa Powell said in an article publised by Yahoo.com,
Asafa Powell complained he was tested excessively during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, in which he won a gold medal as a member of his nation’s 4 x 100 meter relay team. “I got pretty upset two days ago because since I have been here, they have tested me four times,” Powell said during the 2008 Games. “They’ve taken so much blood from us we’re going to be very weak before the final.”
The issue is, when you are free to say whatever you want and have an opinion, popular opinion does not mean the right opinion. And here in America, where Youtube, tabloids, TMZ, marketing and ESPN influence so much of the public's opinion, a Filipino who lives oceans away and has a hard time expressing himself completely in English is such an easy target. Fortunately for Pacquiao, he could care less what America thinks. Just like he says, he fights for the glory and honor of his countrymen. And if you look around, Filipinos today love and support him more than ever and sooner or later, America will come around too.
Just like Mark Twain wrote, "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." Thing is though, "a lie may have speed, but the truth has endurance". Unless proven guilty, Pacquiao will be forever innocent. America's opinion really doesn't change anything. Pacquiao will go down as one of the greatest. Barry Bonds had people with proof batting against him, but against Pacquiao there is nobody and nothing. Sooner or later, even the gullible minds of America will realize that. After all, not all media, is mainstream media.
If they're looking for the truth, tell 'em to go straight to 'dSource'.
(click photo for more of 'Art's works')
Dennis "D Source" Guillermo is a freelance sportswriter. You can contact him through e-mail at hoodartz@yahoo.com. (Artwork by: Art Garcia)
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Comments
whatever they will say for pacquiao especially steroids... i am not believing.... only a simple issue i will believe.. if and if pacquiao will be linked with a beautiful celebrity... absolutely... because he is like me... my weakness too... beauty and legs... that's it... shot it to the heart!
Nice pic Dennis! Anyways, you argument here is very good ,quite informative and at times kind of touchy. Its a fact that no matter what we Fil-Ams do here, its just not enough for some and we're even ridiculed. But in this case, i would care less because, you see, whoever who'd look at Manny as damaged goods are those in Floyd's ethnic group and a few haters who barely understands what dignity and honor means. Even though i feel sorry for Manny, i still look at him as our real representative to greatness. What he had done is a feat unmatchable by any GREAT AMERICAN boxers nor Mexicans and thats why they would rather crucify him than admire him. Its a different world here.
DENNIS,
THANKS FOR THE GOOD ARTICLE!ANYHOW EVERYBODY CAN DRAG THE ENTIRE AMERICAN CONTINENT INTO THIS FIASCO AND USE IT TO HURL ALLEGATION AGAINST MANNY BUT THE TRUTH IS ONLY FEW MAYWEATHER FAN SHARES HIS VIEW(THE ONE WHO WROTE:AMERICA THINK PAQUIAO A DAMAGED GOOD)....150% SURE HE NEVER TALK TO EACH OF EVERY PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN AMERICA!.....AND STILL MANNY IS A GENTLEMAN OUTSIDE THE BOXING RING.NO MATTER HOW MANY DIRTY THINGS THE DETRACTORS AND IGNORANT PEOPLE SAY AGAINST MANNY,YOU CANNOT DRAG THIS PILIPINO DOWN INTO YOUR LEVEL!
Another great article Dennis !!!!! Please continue the good work.
Isa kang tunay na pinoy! mabuhay ka dSource!
Pacquiao is bigger than America?
Wow, whenever I think you couldn't be more of a tool, you always find a way to top yourself!
This Pacquiao obsession is starting to worry me. You are becoming seriously delusional. Pacquiao is bigger than America and next he'll be bigger than God! Soon, we'll find you on YouTube, in full female dress, making love videos to Manny and saying, "If I can't have him, nobody can!"
Hi,i wrote this to Marley:
When boxing was dying,who among the boxers ignited the passion of the fans?
When all of us wanted to watch a "live" heartbeat action in boxing, who among the boxers made us jump from our seats?
Who among these boxers prodded the writers, news reporters, boxing fans to scrib passionately to the point of pointless views as long as they can express their views?
Thanks Manny Pacquiao for the wonderful things you've done for BOXING. Unfortunately, some people accused you "GUILTY unless proven INNOCENT." For this generation,somehow,we've witnessed a TRUE GREAT BOXER by BEING a TRUE GREAT PERSON and this is the stuff of TRUE GREATNESS.Mr. Marley and AMERICA, if you think PACQUIAO is a damaged good, just return him to us in the Philippines with utmost care cause he is our NATIONAL TREASURE that can turn the damage goods into GOLDs with his unmeasurable golden heart.
Thanks Manny for the memories. Thanks for the inspiration.
Keep up the good work 'dSource'.
You are dillusional. Pac bigger than america, you are a joke. The only reason pac dosent test positive is because he wont take random blood tests. Strenuous and intrusive blood tests ?? how intrusive is a little jab to draw blood?? I dont know how any sport lover out there wouldn't demand all pro athletes to undergoe the most stringent testing available. What Pacs team portray him as and what he actually is are two complete opposites. He's cheated on hiis wife, gambled on cockfights and you tying to tell me he is this humble, god fearing person? Give me a break. And for your information it wasn't the Mayweathers GBP, ESPN or or any other media any other that made me suspect Pac was not clean, its Pacs reaction himself and that of his team. Drawing a teaspoon of blood will not weaken you and besides May would be subjected to the exact same tests so there is no advantage. People are just having a hard time accepting their "hero" or "god" might not be clean.
Manny phoneynow, im scared of needles, im too weak if i give blood two weeks before i fight, what a bunch of crap, fraud would have to do the same test. Phoneynow is still scared to fight mosley..maybe he can cry, hey mosley, get down to 140 and we will fight...mosley shatters phoneynow in 3 and then the philipines are devastaed, Phoneynow, just take the test and stop whining like a baby
the only reason for a Mayweather/Mosley fight negotiation is put doubt and lessen the pay-per-view Pacquio/Clottey. to the Mayweather fanatics. brag all you want after the negotiation is FINAL and Mayweather sign the contract to fight Mosley. but for now JSTFU. that also goes to the Pacquiao fanatics... don't you get it? you're all taken for a ride in this marketing ploy.
@boxd-ogg, looks like your brain is full of xylocaine.
Floyd fans will never understand words like honor, pride and integrity..
Why Manny is walking away from $ 40Million?? he's a god in Phils, with movies, endorsements, etc..Still, Floyd fans cannot understand this.. you have to live in the Phils to know..
I don't listen to convicted felons, and liars. They can die in their miserable life for all I care. I'll keep watching the best fighter in the world, and that's Manny Pacquiao.
if pacquiao is damaged goods, what do you call mosley?
It is just understandable to all who hates Manny because in some way they lost lots of money while watching his fights. I am very pretty sure of that! They just could not stomach the fact that the guy is winning all this time and all this time they have not recovered their losses.
It's a good thing there is a person like you who in the middle of morons still think logically, analyzing and dissecting facts!
A lot of writers now seems overlooked and failed badly on Logic 101 specially this writer Marley.
More power D'Source!
That is a masterpiece article. Thank you for speaking in behalf of all of us believers. Where America values fanfare out of lies, we asians value truth, honor, and dignity. Pacman is untouchable in that department....
Pacman is my hero!
x10 billion for this factual and realistic article... keep up the good work D'Source.
Nicely done Dennis,... applause for you!!!
If Pac is damaged goods then Floyd is Fragil & Brittle and he needs Xylocaine to fix himself hehehe. While Mosley needs steroids to enhance his performance. Pac only needs balut(egg with almost newborn chicken) ALL NATURAL BABY!! Hate and envy all you want but pac has still tested NEGATIVE ALL HIS LIFE FOR STEROIDS!!! You Americans have to many that have tested positive. Dela Hoya needs Creatine to enhance his performance back in 1999 against Felix Trinidad. All you that accuse him are HYPOCRITES WHY DONT YOU WRITE ABOUT THAT. But I understand USA will defend their own even if they are LOW LIFES.
@tim...nice analogy.History will be kind to Pacquiao besides i wouldnt say "Pacman is a Damaged Goods" til you got a Proof.Marley was wrong to think that way.If the PPV numbers on the Pac-Clottey fight is poor as well with the LIVE attendance,i might believe Marley.WHAT if Pac-Clottey is such A HUGE SUCCESS?WHAT would Marley will SAY?"Pacman is Not Dameged afterall!?"You need some PROOF before you make SUCH KIND OF CONCLUSION MR> MARLEY!!!
Gayweather fans like ares & seth should go to hell..accusing Pac w/out substantial evidence is such an envy..they could not accept the fact that an uneducated poor man from the Philippines had risen to boxing stardom..they could not accept the fact that a pound for pound king is a filipino and not an american..
Teddy Atlas said that he finds internet very dirty...so this one is for you mr Teddy Atlas...stop browsing the porn sites!!!hahaha....
If you think they are going to take a little dime size amount for blood testing then you must really be an IDIOT. What do they tell people to do before you give blood? You have to eat and drink good so you won't feel weak, right? Accusing others of doing something without proof shows how STUPID people really are.
Pacquiao haters will keep on hating, and Pacquiao fans stay stronger and larger than before.
You hit it right in the head, Pacquiao fights for his countrymen and not for America. Does it really matter to him if America thinks that he is a damage goods because of all of these PED allegations. Of course, it does matter to him. He is a proud man, he loves the sport to much and I'm sure it hurts him deep inside like it hurts us his fans. I still hope he wins his case against the Mayweather and GBP to stick it up to them before he retires.
Pacquiao might have 2 last fights left before he will hung his gloves and permanently retire. He has accomplished everything he wanted to accomplish in boxing and then some, he got nothing left to prove to the world. One last dance with Mosley or Mayweather (whoever wins) and then he will retire for good. To all of Pacquiao fans, lets give him our full support by watching his last fights and keep on fighting & clearing his name against his ha
Its so easy to destroy somebody's hard-earned name,that's what AVERAGE people resort to DO all the the time. But sadly for Pac detractors, they have no ounce of evidence and will never get one because as I've said, they are just AVERAGE.But Pacquiao should always be careful though because most in the boxing world is generally below average compared to him.EXPECT MORE LIES AND BOMBSHELLS MANNY!!!!
Let Mosley agree to every demands of Mayweather.
Come to think of it, this situation is a win win situation for PACQUIAO. You know why? Having Mosley and Kenducky Floyd Chicken agrees to a blood test, and results came out that they both pass it would mean that a blood test insisted by Gayweather is not effective to detect PEDs on Mosley (Self Confessed PED/EPO USER).
This means also, that test will be futile much against someone who had been prooven clean of any drugs like Pacquiao. Pacman should demand more if pacman-gaywether goes for a fight since his baseless accusation and demands will do nothing even against a self confessed PED/EPO user.
Whatever outcomes on the MOSLEY - MAYWEATHER fight, Vindication for PACMAN will come at the end.
PRIDE CHICKEN JOY GAYWEATHER! The DUCKER RUNNER is the LOSSER His plan was not materialized! He should prepare for the upcoming battle in the court which can put him a lot of trouble financially. It will add his burden! Manny will ask to Gayweather the ducker $100M defamatory damages! Common! suck me gayweather. I will give you $200M in just a 1 night stand. Suck my hard, big, strong & long cock!
america cares so little about country and faith nowadays...
Thank you for such an honest and brave article.
Mabuhay ka, Dennis!
Filipino Cultural Intelligence vs. Western Cultural Intelligence.
America is not ashamed, but should be, in Filipino Culture.
Thanks for writing this perfect article. I have nothing else to say about the issue of manny being damaged goods.......
Mayweather is idiot coward! eggless! changing his genitals!
dennis, youre an azzhole, youre so frickin bias that its nauseating... i used to like your work but now youre blatantly nuthugging and licking manny's nuts...
pathetic!
p.s. marley is a lowlife scumbag, just like atlas said.
A MAN IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY PERIOD.
PLAIN ENGLISH.
What`s all this brouhaha about damage goods, the
only damage goods here are the brains of those who for years
live in this english speaking country and can`t seem to
understand the words they themselves are using. And its not all americans who feels that way, only a few misguided ones, who by being americans think that every opinion that goes out of their
foul mouthed mouths are reflective of the general sentiments of decent americans, and this include you mister marley.
american is always a losser look at afghan vs american war american lost. vietnamese vs american war american lost again americamayweather vs philippacquiao war americamayweather lost!
It is just understandable to all who hates Manny because in some way they lost lots of money while watching his fights. I am very pretty sure of that! They just could not stomach the fact that the guy is winning all this time and all this time they have not recovered their losses.
Yeah, the so-called bedrock of justice and democracy is a haven for people the like of the mayweathers, DL Hoyas, Schaefers, Teddy Atlas, Brian Kenny, Kevin Iole, Angelo Dundee and their minions. As great and as mighty a nation as the USA is not a guarantee that it will not turn out narrow minded individuals. Some Americans can't accept and live with the fact that one of the greatest boxers of all time comes from a tiny and poor nation in Asia.
Does that mean Manny Pacquiao will win the congressional seat? Heh.
I know you only telling the truth Dennis!!!because most of American's cannot accept the reality...And if they want some blood from Manny Pacquiao...They must go first to NSAC to ask for additional rules...
"O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave" I think this phrase is only a phrase it doesn't describe it's people, I believe this phrase is better description of americans "O'ER THE LAND OF THE RACIST AND HOME OF THE HOME OF THE LIARS"
Wow, guys who antagonize Pacquiao are all over! They even invade this exclusive website for Pacquiao, unbelievable! How you guys ever know Manny has this site? Americans who hate Pacquiao are obviuosly racists! I strongly believe this due to the fact that they link him to steroids, discrediting all his achievements and accused him without the benefit of the doubt of being a cheater but not considering and without throwing a thing to Mr. Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's master. Why would you go on cursing Pacquiao without questioning Roach?
maybe mainstream america wants to be represented by floyd or some immature bad ass. just like some teddy "no rocket scientist" atlas, hijacked the role as representative to those clueless "man on the street". HA HA HA. this americans...in their desire to have a popular champion, they become a joke
And what is the legacy of Floyd Mayweather, a boxing icon the Americans patronized, may I ask? Is it not COWARDICE?
@ARES...REASONS WHY GBP/TEAM FLOYD HATES PACMAN TO THE BONE :
1. Oscar hatred to Pacman is Understandable.Pac backed out from his Promotion and to add Salt to Injury,Pacman detroyed Oscar's boxing Career.If Oscar Truly cared about Steroids ISSUE,he should have Mosely Ostracized from Boxing.IT WAS Mosely who used Steroids against him . Any explanation Ares???
2.Floyd Sr. is a very BITTER Man after the Pac-Hatton fight.Not Only did Pacman Embarrased him Big time But Exposed him as an "average coach with BIG mouth".Who would forget their personal jabs with freddie?It was him who said a lot of things but in the end HE ATE all he said and Made to LOOK LIKE A FOOL.Floyd Sr. will never ever forget what Pacman/Roach did to his alreaday poor image as a person and as Coach.
3.Floyd Jr. has Superstar syndrome.An Ego as big as his mansion.As Pacman took his Throne,Floyd didnt waste time to downplay Pacman.The bigger Pacman gets So is Floyd's Envy.
Americans who think along the line of Mayweathers, and Teddy Atlas should allow the Filipinos enjoy the achievements of Pacquiao. it is only seldom that Pinoys meet in their lifetime an athlete as great as Pacquiao. It will take a long time before Pinoys will come across another Pacquiao. With the meager sports resources and sports program the Philippines has, Pilipinos are really blessed with having him as their rallying point in the midst of the difficulties they are suffering from right now. Pacquiao has become a hero and a source of pride. And I think Filipinos will really take offense on the accusation against him as a dirty boxer especially when there are no evidences . In contrast the governing body NSAC has cleared him everytime.
Amen,Dennis,you just made me cry
So Marley is indeed a low-life for riding on baseless rumors circulate by mongerers Atlas and Smith!
Pacquiao did not convince everyone that he's not on steroids.
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