Pacman fan for life

For 14 years now, I am an avid, rabid Manny Pacquiao fan. I admit it. Even when the going gets tough, I firmly believed Manny would win in every bout.

I have been into a flurry of heated conversations and debates defending and supporting the Pacman even in hard times: His stubbornness for longer practices, his intention to run for office, his squandering his hard earned (to the highest sense) money for billiard and cockfighting, his womanizing. He has become a part of me so heavily that subtly, he has become my hero. In fact, I have in my home a signed photograph of him with Bubbles and I. It was one of my prized possessions. It’s the only celebrity picture I have in a frame.

When I saw him fall down on the final two seconds of the 6^th round of his 4^th meeting with his nemesis, Juan Manuel Marquez, My spirit was shattered. I never felt that since the day I found out I flunked the Ateneo College Entrance Test. I nearly broke into tears when Manny was not standing up. I thought he was gone.

But then, while the camera panned at a jubilant Juan Manuel Marquez, there came Manny from behind, on his feet, smiling as usual, took Marquez’s hand and congratulated him. That time, I felt an instant shot of relief. He was okay. And I realized he was indeed okay when he went for an interview. Yes, he’s lucid, he’s back. He got knocked down, but he’s okay.

Since then, I was never used to seeing Manny take such a blow, get knocked down and not getting up. I saw him stagger a few times, but not get swept by a big hit. I practically grew up seeing him win. It was very hard to accept the fact that this time, he lost. But when I saw Manny’s take on losing this big fight, I realized that this man has transcended from being a warrior into a more respectable man of grace. He now sees the world beyond boxing, and sees that this defeat is a miniscule event in his entire persona. That’s how boxing is, one wins, another loses, he says. And that night, he admitted he was not the lucky one. That made me realize that yes, I should also move on, like what he did, which seemed instantly, making others question the authenticity of his previous fights.

Why does he recover so quickly after losing (esp. those past two fights)? It’s not because he’s had those fights fixed (there goes my defense of the champ again)! But it’s primarily because he knows that game so well, that he already admits that the winner could be anyone in that ring.

Now people are asking what went wrong? Could it be his change of religion? Or his change of lifestyle? Or his concentration on politics and show business? Or his stubbornness to take training seriously? My take is that, simply put, sh*t just happened. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Bam, there goes Marquez’s strong right hook! Down he goes. From his form, we can see that he was more than prepared for that fight. He was back to his original form, back to when he beat the hell out of Barrera or Morales. He had his foot work, speed, even accuracy, a trait he hasn’t had before. Before the KO he was hitting an impressive 50% of his punches, he even staggered Marquez once in the 5^th round. He was dominating in the ring. But then again, that right hand happened. History.

I don’t want to try to be a boxing analyst like what most Filipinos do after the Pacquiao fight (but I am now!). Bottomline is, Manny lost the fight. Period. No other explanations necessary. What matters now is how he and the rest of the world would take it and how to move forward.

Haters and freeloaders to Pacquiao’s greatness would now surface and argue that the result of Saturday’s fight was inevitable and bound to happen: Boxing, religion, politics and showbiz are not a good mix. I agree.

However, I believe that Pacman od all this because he has genuine intentions: help our poor Filipinos. He knows that Filipinos depend on boxing to be entertained, to temporarily forget about their plight. He still fights amidst clamor for his retirement.

He wants to make a change in government by being in government. He wants to help as many Filipinos by giving them money: boom, Manny Many Prizes. He knows his goal: help alleviate poverty. And I agree, he has so much in his plate. All hopes cannot be pinned on one man, even though he’s THE Pacman.

I don’t understand how some Filipinos easily forget his greatness because of one KO. Please let us never ever forget that he has nothing else to prove in the ring. He’s now an eight-division world champion, and I think nobody in this generation can top that.

Next question is whether he should fight again. From the way he spoke in his post-fight interview, I think he’s in for another match, Marquez or not. But should he fight again? There is a part of me that wants to see him fight again. Fight again, regain confidence, then retire a champion. Take on Bradley or Mayweather, then retire. But there is also a part of me that says, it’s time to go. Take your hard-earned money to set up a boxing stable, have a promotions company a la De la Hoya, help other poor boxers become the next you.

Whatever he decides to do next, I’ll still be watching, buying his shirts, praying for his win, crying for his loss, and praising him for his works. Win or lose, I am and will always be an avid, rabid Manny Pacquiao fan.

Mabuhay ang kampeon! Win or lose, it’s the Pacman, we choose.