We’ve waited for this for so long. The days, weeks, months, years, perhaps even lifetimes we all have waited for as a nation have finally wound down into mere hours. Yes, it’s been that long. Some people may perceive it to be just another big boxing event. Others may even say it’s a scam. Not to us. For so long, Filipinos have waited for their time to shine; to be finally recognized universally in the sporting world as a significant player. You need not go further than the Olympics to realize how insignificant we have been in the global sports stage wherein LeBron James by himself holds a 1-0 gold medal count edge over the whole nation of the Philippines in its entire history of participating in the Olympic Games. LeBron is turning 24, while the Philippines have been participating in the Olympics since 1924. Yea, tsk… tsk…
But just in case it’s not clear enough.
Can you imagine Robert Jaworski starting for the Boston Celtics alongside Larry Bird in the 1986 NBA Finals? How about “The Bull” Nelson Asaytono playing for THE BULLS together with Rodman, Pippen and Jordan in the late 90s? For the new school, think about Paul Artadi stripping Kobe and dunking on Jordan Farmar. Granted we have had our share of the Rafael “Paeng” Nepomucenos and Efren “Bata” Reyeses who have brought glory to our country in their respective sports, none of them have ever come close to the amount of global recognition on a mainstream scale the way Manny Pacquiao has enroute to his fight against Oscar Dela Hoya. And let’s be real, the two true sports majority of Filipinos really care about are basketball and boxing. Basketball would be the spoiled eldest sibling, boxing the favorite youngest kin, while the rest such as billiards, chess, beer drinking and Counterstrike are attention-deficient middle children (I apologize to all middle children who may find this last sentence offensive).
Celebrities like Mark Wahlberg and Mickey Rourke come to visit him train. Sports stars like Paul Pierce, David West, Shawn Merriman and Kevin Garnett take time out just to see him do his thing in the ring. ESPN, FOX, HBO and every other TV network have devoted their valued air time just to tell his story.
Manny Pacquiao has arrived.
And best believe the Pac Man is here to stay!
And when he throws his first punch against Oscar Dela Hoya on the night of December 6, I hope Oscar realizes that behind that punch is the strength of more than 100 million Filipinos around the globe cheering, praying and willing Manny Pacquiao to knock the Golden Boy’s rear end out, because if not, he may never find out the color of the speeding jeepney that hit him.
If you are reading this Oscar, all I can say is that you will soon find out what true pride for ones country is really all about. Oscar can talk about how he loves Mexico and how he’s proud to be an American all he wants. He can gather all his friends in East LA to rally around him to show him love. But at the end of the day, after all the hype and money goes out the door, I’m channeling my inner Hulk Hogan to say “What are you gonna do when Pacmania runs wild on you?”
It may sound funny, it may sound crazy and heck I am writing this with a hint of comedy, but seriously, there’s nobody in the business as motivated and as inspired as the man that hails from- soon to be Manny Pacquiao City- General Santos City, Philippines. (Credit me on that one if it does happen) Yes Oscar, you will have to knock Pacquiao out to score a legitimate victory. Nobody expected Manny to win because of all the physical disadvantages he’s giving up after all. But how will Oscar react to a passionate pro-Pacquiao crowd rooting against him? Mexicans and Filipinos alike, cheering with every blow the Pac Man lands on his million dollar mug? Pacquiao will not give up. He came from too hard a struggle to ever even know what giving up means. Oscar has been spoiled and rich for so long that for him to pull the trigger is more of an unnecessary option than a physical flaw because practically, what does he really have to lose but a few more million dollars in his pocket? I am not saying Oscar is just all about the money but I question if he even has half of Manny Pacquiao’s motivation, determination and inspiration – three major factors which I think Manny has that will overturn whatever physical advantages Oscar has over him.
Heck, The Golden Boy cries about his father not letting him play out in the streets when he was a kid because his father wanted him to train constantly because he saw something in Oscar, while Pacquiao personally searched for his father that abandoned him as a child to give him a life of luxury that his dad never even strove to give him when he, together with his siblings and his mother were left out hanging to dry. And if you watched the HBO 24/7 coverage for this fight, Oscar said it straight up that whenever he complained to his wife about the rigors of his training, all his wife would say was “Stop crying!” Who’s going to tell him that though when Pacquiao runs circles around him and punishes him with constant 10 punch combos throughout their fight? Who? Nacho? “Shiiyyeeeet…” just like David Diaz said.
My analysis on this fight is simple. Oscar’s best rounds will be inside the first 3 to 4 rounds. Once Manny figures him out and gets comfortable with Oscar’s height and reach, Manny will simply outwork and touch Dela Hoya at will. As long as Manny stays away from Dela Hoya’s left, he’ll be fine. I’m pretty sure Manny can do that after their extensive technique and footwork training for this fight. The one thing I fear for is if Manny gets cut on the eye- especially his lead eye. If Oscar’s left somehow opens up a cut on Manny’s lead eye, it could spell trouble for Pacquiao as he has shown in the past, particularly in his second bout with Marquez that he’s a totally different fighter when he get’s cut up. Somehow, the only way I think Manny will win via decision though is if he knocks Oscar down at least once in the fight, which I think he will do in rounds 8 and 10. Yeap, you read it right. I’m expecting Manny to floor Oscar twice!!!
On a different note, Filipinos love Manny Pacquiao because he is one of us. It’s been said countless times before: Manny Pacquiao is a “Man of the People”. Even when he had no belts around his waist, he was always the “People’s Champion”.
So pardon me when I say “WE” in reference to Manny. Hell, bite me, ridicule me and blast me for telling the Filipino side of the story. Call me what you want, a Pacnut or a hugger but I’m just calling it like it is.
WE STAND BY MANNY.
And as soon as Michael Buffer yells his signature line, WE -- together with Manny -- will be ready! I really hope Oscar is too though. I hope he expects to fight the most determined and motivated fighter he will ever face in his entire lifetime. I hope he prepared for the fight of his life against the smallest dog he will ever have to fight that bites the hardest and comes in the ring with the biggest fight inside him. Because I can guarantee you one thing, WE all damned straight are surely ready for him.
GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS MANNY PACQUIAO!
