After Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez knocked out Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in the 6th round forcing Pacman to drop and Marquez winning the fight, the Philippines was filled with the deafening silence of all Pacquiao supporters.
Several comments on social networking sites have started to fill the newsfeeds of Facebook and Twitter. To point that we are stunned at the level of stupidity that emanates from some people’s comments about wins and losses following Pacquiao fights. Some comments tend to digress into topics that have absolutely nothing to do with boxing, and are so far-fetched that they make heads spin. Some even pinpoint the visit of former Massachusetts governor and the presidential runner-up, Mitt Romney, as the reason why Pacman lost wherein his introduction was at once awkward and hilarious. “Hi, Manny,” he said. “I’m Mitt Romney. I ran for president. I lost.”
But still there are people from this Filipino nation who believe our former 8-time boxing world champion is still a legend and that he had proven more than enough. Some even advised him to retire from his boxing career, but on this issue, I think that Pacman has his own wisdom to decide. And whatever his decision, for sure the Filipinos are still with him and for him. He has the choice, whether to hang the gloves, fight another guy or have a Pacquiao-Marquez 5.
What happened to him is common to every boxer/fighter and losing in that way maybe the starkest and saddest truth. But let’s face it, they all get hit, get knocked down. Some champions, even Pacquiao, get knocked out.
Indeed, Pacman is still a living legend. He is humble to admit his mistakes and good to value sportsmanship. Let’s move on. Pacquiao will surely recover. Pablo’s victims, meanwhile, need our help. Let’s do what we can to help them rise from the ashes of tragedy. – Christopher John C.Cachola, Burgundy Westbay Tower, P. Ocampo St., Malate, Manila