By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

AFTER a long period of assessing his boxing career following his failure to recapture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight tiara against less-known fighter Yordenis Ugas of Cuba, the Philippines’ boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao finally decided to call it ‘quits’. He formally announced it to the world sports writers last September 29 during his speech in a 14-minute video done inside his elegant house obviously addressed mainly to the world sports’ lovers especially to us, Filipinos. (Hopefully you watched it, too.)

Pacman who brought pride and multiple honors to the Philippines said, “it’s difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over and today I am announcing my retirement. I never thought that this day would come,” with teary eyes and cracking voice. “You (boxing), gave me the chance to find a way out of poverty. Because of you (boxing), I have given the courage to change more lives and able to inspire people all over the world,” he added. “I just heard the final bell, tapos na ang boxing at maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat. God is good all the time. Thank you,” his final words.

Pacman slowly rose to prominence after winning his first world title, the World Boxing Council flyweight, 112 lbs. division. After the flyweight, he also won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight title, 122 lbs., the WBC super featherweight crown, 130 lbs., the WBC lightweight tiara, 135 lbs., International Boxing Organization (IBO) light welterweight crown, 140 lbs., World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight diadems, 147 lbs. (three times), and THE WBC super welterweight title, 154 lbs. He’s the only boxer in the world (so far) to accomplish this eight division world titles after his 26 years of fighting since professional boxing was introduced in the globe in 1906. And I believe it will take many decades before anyone can surpass Pacman’s feat.

The boxing champ closest who could have perhaps matched him is the flamboyant and his conqueror the aging (45 years old) Floyd Mayweather with five world titles. Pacman is also the oldest boxer to win the world’s welterweight crown at 40 years of age by closely beating Kurt Thurman in July 20, 2019. Because of his sterling record, Pacman is now indubitably a candidate for the prestigious “Hall of Fame” award.

Yes, he’s retired now in boxing, but not so in politics. In fact, last October 1, the current Senator Pacquiao officially declared his bid for presidency of the land and formally filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) together with his running mate Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, the former mayor of Manila. They were the first tandem to do so from among the other well-known presidentiables like Isko Moreno Domagoso, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, to name two of his political archrivals.

“To all those taking advantage of our country, thieves who steal from the Filipino nation, your happy days are numbered,” Pacquiao bravely said, shortly after filing his COC. And by the time you read this piece, I believe other big names in national politics had already filed their bids for presidential candidacy like Sara Duterte, Richard Gordon, Panfilo Lacson, as well as their running mates plus some nuisance candidates. Pacquiao’s next biggest fight in life will be on May 9, 2022.

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I was informed that our former governor of Pangasinan, the Bani-born Oscar M. Orbos, is planning to return to politics, but no longer for the governorship but as a representative of the First District of Pangasinan. More on this issue next week.

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QUOTE OF WEEK: Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” MATTHEW 4: 10

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