He is known by many names. So many names, in fact, that it seems his opponents are trying to give him an identity crisis, perhaps in the hope of somewhat dispersing the fury and raw power in, as well as the deadly accuracy of, his fists. Let’s take a look at the many names of Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquaio.
He is known as the “Pacman”. It’s entirely a play on Pacquiao’s name and not because he shares any trait similar to the Pacman of computer world. True, the virtual yellow Pacman also gobbles his enemies when it’s charged with power, but most of the time it’s running around dead scared of the ghosts. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, however, is fully charged with passion and power from the first bell until the last. He never shirks from a good brawl, which is why fans love him, and which is why coach Freddie Roach had to train him, and trained him well indeed, to add a terrific boxing style into his arsenal. Even the so-called boxing experts now agree that Pacman has evolved into an exciting complete fighter, in the league of boxing greats like Sugar Ray Leonard and Lenox Lewis. Both speaks highly of Pacman.
He is known as a politician. People are egging him to run (others are telling him not to). He ran for a seat in the House of Representatives, for the first district of South Cotabato. Manny had beaten men who are icons in boxing, Hall of Famers. Manny lost to a girl in the elections — Darlene Atonino-Custodio. Manny has accepted his defeat. But just like his never-say-die attitude inside the boxing ring, I fear he will again slug it out in the political arena.
He is known as a singer and a movie/tv star. Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino ang lahi ko, goes the chorus of his more famous song. Manny has a string of songs and a number of movies/tv shows under his belt. Ask my son what’s the TV show of Manny and he will quickly answer: “Pinooooy Ricords.”
He is known as the Mexican Assassin. Manny has beaten great Mexican fighters, many of whom are boxing hall of famers. Included in the 49 wins (37 by KO) -3 losses – 2 draws record of Pacquiao are these Mexican fighters: Emmanuel Lucero, Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), Erik “Terrible” Morales (2 of 3), Hector Velazquez, Oscar Larios, Jorge Solis, Juan Manuel Marquez (1 win, 1 draw), “Dangerous” David Diaz (Mexican-American) and the biggest catch, Oscar “Golden Boy” De La Hoya (Mexican-American). He is said to have vowed in 2003 to beat every Mexican champion. And some. The latest conquest is a British fellow. You know him because you were scared for him when he fell to the canvass stiff as a log, hit by the now-famous and poster-perfect left hook of Pacquiao in just the second round of the fight. The Mexican Assassin beating The Hitman. It effectively ended the career of Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton.
If only we could call him the “Terminator” because of the way he practically ended the careers of a numbers of boxers. That includes de la Hoya, Barrera, Morales, Diaz and most probably Hatton. We can’t use “Terminator” because it had been used by the next opponent of Pacquiao. Remember this date: November 14, 2009 (November 15 in the Philippines). That’s the date of Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto.
Miguel “Terminator” Cotto (34-1, 27KOs) is not Mexican, though. He is from Caguas, Puerto Rico. Maybe the Mexican Killer can’t use his anting-anting this time? Would it make any difference? Cotto said: “Pacquiao never fought a fighter like me before.” I believe that’s what the others opponents also said before the fight. During the fight with Ricky Hatton, coach Freddie Roach predicted that Manny would knock out Hatton in 3 rounds. Manny knocked Hatton out in 2 rounds. This time, Roach predicts that Manny will floor Cotto in one round — if Cotto doesn’t run.
If Cotto doesn’t run, as he most probably won’t, it will be a great fight. The Sweet Science stated that Pacquaio-Cotto will be the definition of a fight, noting that while “both have boxing skills, they also are prone to engagement and toe-to-toe confrontations if the other so desires.” This is probably the reason why the fight is billed “Firepower”, though this won’t be Manny’s biggest fight. That’s reserved for the match with Floyd “Pretty Boy” (or “Money”) Mayweather, Jr.
Pacquiao is known as the pound-for-pound king, now the boxing world’s biggest draw. People, even the non-boxing fanatics, go and watch him fight. The Golden Boy, Oscar de laHoya, had been carrying the boxing torch for so long. Now the torch is with the Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao. Noticed that in his last two fights, Manny’s name come first? Pacquiao vs. Hatton. Pacquiao vs. Cotto. Fans adore him (the Mexicans even). Not just in the actual fight night, also the four Saturdays (U.S. dates) leading to the fight night. There’s HBO Boxing’s 24/7 series. The first installment is today, October 24, then October 31, November 7 and November 13. I’m looking forward to the 24/7, to the extent of scrounging for a sneak peek.
Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 Episode 1 (full episode at youtube-HBO) (full episode at HBO main – slower)
Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 Episode 2. Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 Episode 3. Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 Episode 4
Manny is known as the ONLY unifier of Filipinos these days. Except during the time he ran for Congress, Pacquiao is a unifying force among us Filipinos. Manny always says — and unabashedly shows — that he is fighting for the honor of the Philippines. And everybody sees that. Everyone saw the many instances when Manny, bloodied and with one eye blinded with blood, fought on to the bitter end. Even with almost a billion in earnings, Manny gives it all in his fights, for the honor of God and the Philippines. So we Filipinos reciprocate. During his fights, roads are empty, crime rate is zero, government soldiers and the rebels understand that there is a ceasefire. Filipinos, young and old, rich and poor, of different religions, flock to venues to see our Manny Pacquiao fight. We worry when Manny is bloodied in his fights (nowadays, though, we worry more for his opponents). We console each other when Manny lost (hopefully the 2 losses in Manny’s entire career would stay that way). We erupt in lung-busting, blood-curling shouts, in perfect unison, when Manny wins. We forget our own battles. We join our fellow Filipinos, wherever they are in the world. When Manny fights, we Filipinos are one.
And so even if Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is known by many names, in my book, he will always be known just by one name — a Filipino.
(Reprinted with permission from here)
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