Sports Eye
Life begins at 40
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
“LIFE begins at 40,” a
very popular maxim commonly expressed by middle aged people upon reaching 40.
Pioneered by American story-writer Walter B. Pitkin in 1932, the saying became
more popular to the world when the late American singer-actor Elvis Presley
echoed this proverb upon reaching his age of 40. Ironically, Elvis, (my singing
idol) died two years later due to cardiac arrest at the age of 42, in August
16, 1977.
The phrase was widely adopted because it gives the impression that by the time one joins this generational epoch, one is presumed to
have reached your maturity, with enough worldly experience and skills to be
able to meet any challenge in one’s your life, good or bad.
And yes, that’s exactly what happened to our national boxing treasure Sen.
Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. Despite ascending to the age of 40 last December 17
which many pundits say is the maximum value for a professional boxer, he proved
them wrong by demolishing the flamboyant American four-time world champion
Adrien Brone, 29, who’s eleven years his junior.
What we watched on TV last January 20 was
a rejuvenated Pacman who posted an emphatic 12-round unanimous decision to
retain his World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight throne.
What threw us off was Broner’s cry that he was robbed of the title after the
verdict was announced. But who would believe him? The numbers of punches landed
by the two clearly showed Pacman landing the most and effectively.
With Pacman back to super
stardom at 40, there are loads of available rivals angling in Pacman’s weight
(147 lbs.) and the first mentioned by Pacman was his conqueror, the unbeaten
and retired Floyd “Money” Mayweather. But unfortunately Mayweather was cold to
the idea of doing a rematch.
But I believe there’s still one super bout that can be staged for Pacman’s next
fight besides MayPac2. Among those in the lineup whom Pacman can choose from are:
the American-Puerto Rican WBA and WBC super lightweight ruler Danny Garcia, WBA
super welterweight king Keith Thurman; IBF (International Boxing Federation)
welterweight titleholder Errol Spence, WBC (World Boxing Council) welterweight
king Shawn Porter, and the new WBO (World Boxing Organization) welterweight
champ Terence Crawford, (if Crawford beats former Pacman’s sparring mate Amir
Khan this coming April 20.)
Pacman’s 2017 vanquisher former WBO titlist Australian Jeff Horn is challenging
Pacman to square off with him again. But I guess the Brisbane-native Horn is
far behind in the line. After Horn defeated Pacman to wrest the WBO crown, he lost
to Crawford in his first title defense via 9th round technical
knockout last June. Although Pacman lost that controversial decision to Horn,
the aging but revitalized Pacman doesn’t like to fight a title loser probably
that could affect his ranking and may not be so bankable. Pacman would rather tangle
with anyone who is a title holder, like him. That has strong promotion
potential One of the six that I mentioned, all are not yet 40 years old, (except
Mayweather, 41), could be the next foe of Pacman.
There are two boxers who regained their world titles at the age of 40s:
Heavyweight George Foreman regained the world heavyweight crown at his age of
45 and Bernard Hopkins wresting the world light heavyweight title at 48 years
of age.
So Pacman then has more years of boxing time because his life just started at
40. That’s if he won’t retire yet.
* * * *
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus Christ said, “Woe to
you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup
and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. MATTHEW: 23 25
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