Pacman on cover of TIME

CEBU, Philippines - The success Manny Pacquiao has attained in life and career continue to overflow after the Filipino sports hero joined the chosen few of the all-time greats of boxing to grace the cover of TIME Magazine (Asia edition).

The prestigious magazine labeled the Filipino fighter as “The Great Hope” - a fitting description to a man, who serves as a symbol of hope and inspiration to his countrymen especially at this most difficult moment when the nation is still recovering from the devastation wrought by a string of tropical storms that left millions homeless and washed away billions worth of properties.

The magazine will hit the newsstands this weekend.

Pacquiao is the first boxer in 20 years to be grace the cover of TIME since former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in 1988. Overall, he is the ninth boxer to be accorded such distinction after Jack Dempsey (1923), James Tunney (1926), Max Schmelling (1929), Primo Carnera (1931), Joe Louis (1941), Sugar Ray Robinson (1951), Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali (thrice in 1963, 1971 with Joe Frazier) and 1978), and Tyson.

Following his brutal second round destruction of Ricky Hatton last May, TIME included Pacquiao in its list of 100 most influential people in the world.

The first Filipino to grace the cover of TIME was the late president Corazon C. Aquino, who it honored as “Woman of the Year” in 1986 for leading a peaceful revolt that emancipated the Filipinos from the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.

The global icon of democracy was again featured following her death last August.

For Marv Dumon of the Houston Boxing Examiner, the underlying reasons why the publication spotlighted the exploits of Pacman is not only because of his “rags-to-riches” tale, but also because of his humility, meekness in the face of triumph and the way he touched other people’s lives.

For sure, such accolade will give Pacquiao an extra inspiration as he gears up for his blockbuster title clash against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on November 15 (RP time) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

If victorious, the 30-year-old Pacquiao will write his name in history as the first ever boxer to win seven world titles in different weight divisions.—/NLQ   (FREEMAN NEWS)