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Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Fistory in the making

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Manny Pacquiao holds the unique distinction of being an eight-division boxing champion and the second-best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, as well as being the country’s top absentee congressman.

An electorate perhaps dazzled by his boxing exploits and celebrity status voted him into power as representative of Sarangani. They hoped that Pacquiao could bring to his work as a lawmaker the same talent he displays in the ring. But his tendency to dabble in other things – religion, basketball – has led him to neglect his duties in the halls of Congress.

On May 2, Manny will face Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas for “The Fight of the Century,” an event that took six years of negotiations to happen. Manny has been training in mentor Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles since early March this year to prepare for the fight.

Obviously, those two months or so abroad means that much less time working in Congress. Fellow representatives urge Pacquiao, acting head of the committee on overseas workers affairs, to hurry home after the fight and tackle the task of looking into Mary Jane Veloso’s case.

Pacquiao is aware of Veloso’s plight, and in fact released a short video of himself pleading with Indonesian president Joko Widodo to spare her.

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Mercifully, among the “Bali Nine” sentenced in Indonesia to execution for drug charges, Mary Jane was the only one given a last-minute reprieve. While this buys time for further negotiations for her release, the built-up momentum of efforts on her behalf must not be stalled by further delays, certainly not by any dilly-dallying of a man who insists on wearing many hats while having only one head.  

This is the criticism often levied against Pacquiao – that as he extends himself into too many roles, he becomes unable to satisfactorily fulfill his obligations. His stunning loss to Juan Manuel Marquez was only one indication of this loss of focus.

From whence comes this preoccupation with playing other roles – congressman, pastor, pro basketball player, budding mogul, possible presidentiable?

The answer may come from Manny himself. He said in a recent ESPN interview that for years he has wanted this fight against Mayweather to happen because: “I really want to prove, that I’m here, Manny Pacquiao, who can easily beat the undefeated.”

This, then, is what propels him to test himself in one arena after the other – the desire to prove himself, to show that despite his impoverished background and lack of early opportunities, he has what it takes to succeed in whatever he turns his hand to.

As a boxer, there can be little doubt about his ability, his dedication to his sport, and his drive to excel. Anyone who denies Manny’s capability and determination to win this fight is a Mayweather fan.

But shall we separate the absentee congressman from the champion pugilist, at least for this moment?

 Manny has consistently said that his motivations are “to see Filipinos united,” to make them happy,” to help people, to recharge national pride. His entrance song that he recorded himself is entitled “Lalaban Ako Para sa Pilipino” (I will fight for the Filipino), manifesting his intention of making this a fight in behalf of the Filipino, taking on his shoulders the giant chip that marks our national consciousness, that of having something to prove to the world.

For the duration of this prizefight, let us put aside Pacquiao’s failings as a congressman, to be taken up in the proper forum. If there are penalties for his absenteeism, let them be strictly enforced on his return, without fear or favor, otherwise the result would be a mockery of the law he is mandated to uphold.

But on the big day, let us watch Pacquiao and Mayweather duke it out in this battle that hardcore fans of the sweet science say must happen between the two champions, to settle without question who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

On that fateful night, the MGM arena will be a proving ground not only for one man, but for an entire nation, whose support for its champion will show how united it can be, because this is not a mere gladiatorial spectacle; this is a historic event, a once-in-a-generation fight that will resound through boxing history.

This is fistory, and a Filipino will make it.

But the country also needs Pacquiao back in Congress as soon as possible – this time, to fight for Mary Jane’s life. And it could be the toughest battle and the most difficult challenge he will yet face.

***

Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Blog: http://jennyo.net

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