King Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao was so good he has some delusional Filipino boxing analysts thinking De la Hoya sold the fight.

Manny Pacquiao was so good the circus most boxing experts said The Dream match was going to be because of all the physical disadvantages the Pac Man was giving up, turned into the match all of Manny Pacquiao fans have been dreaming about.

Manny Pacquiao was so good he had Usher screaming “Yeah!” every time he landed his fists.

Manny Pacquiao was so good he actually made Bernard Hopkins sound right even when he was totally wrong. Hopkins said prior to the fight that Manny Pacquiao was going to school when he faces De la Hoya. The Executioner was right. Pacquiao went to school. He went Saturday as the school bus driver and took Oscar De la Hoya to school- finishing school that is, as he “graduated” the Golden Boy from the sport.

Manny Pacquiao is just that good.

“Still you’re my idol. Whatever happens, you’re still my idol.” Manny humbly told Oscar after the fight. Oscar responded with a nod of approval just as he had all night after the end of every round and said “No, now you’re my idol.”

The stage was set. All the stars and significant players were present to witness the passing of the baton and coronation of the new king. The old king was still feeling the heartache of a thousand razor burns it seems as he vacated his throne. No belts were passed along. What was passed along however was boxing legacy. And just like Ali, Leonard and De la Hoya before him, Manny Pacquiao has done it by taking out the current king. Is the world of pugilism ready for a Filipino to be the face of its sport? - Only if America is ready to see a black president. It’s the year of “change” after all.

Described as boxing’s drama king, Manny Pacquiao’s #1 pound for pound status not only attests to his greatness as a boxer no matter the size and weight. It is also the measure of his heart, pound for pound. His chests coming into the fight against De la Hoya appeared significantly bigger against the Golden Boy, only to symbolize the bigger heart he had encased within them. With every beat, pound for pound, Pacquiao has demonstrated unmatched courage and valor on his way to boxing’s pinnacle as he went through all the greats the sport could throw at him.

Saturday’s was a moment only seen in movies and considered milestones in sports. Think about Michael Jordan beating the Lakers and Magic Johnson; Peyton Manning beating Tom Brady and the Patriots and winning his first Superbowl; Tiger Woods overtaking Jack Nicklaus. Pacquiao now breathes together with the elite in that rarified air. He no longer is just the fighting pride of the Philippines. As evidenced with the support he’s received from all over, from celebrities to Mexicans, to boxing fans and boxers all over the world, Pacquiao has crossed over.

Whether he would receive similar success as De la Hoya as boxing’s mainstream face and figure remains to be seen. But for now, one thing is certain; there’s a new sheriff in town, and his name is Manny Pacquiao. King Pacquiao.