Boxing becoming the Philippines National Sport

http://www.filipinoflash.com/news/item/296-“pinoy-pride” In recent years, a sport has been an integral part of most culture of the world. It signifies allegiance, loyalty, a sense of belongingness and pride. It brings a town, a state, a race and a country together every time their favorite team and sports heroes play in any big stage in the world. Europe and most South American countries love their soccer or football as they call it. It is a national religion in that part of the world. Australians and the English adore their rugby and cricket. Americans' favorite past time may be baseball but "American Football" rules all sports in the continental United States. Sundays in America are spent for church, family and the N.F.L. In Asia, Japan is a baseball-crazy country while the Chinese love their Ping Pong and badminton. And how about the Philippines? Basketball has always been the cream of the crop of this nation. It is home of the oldest professional league in Asia. The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is our breeding ground of celebrity, sports heroes and role models. But lately, boxing is and is becoming our past time. Thanks to a small guy from General Santos City. Manny Pacquiao's success in the biggest stage of the sport brought fame and recognition not only to himself, but to the Philippines as well. It opened opportunities for young kids who wanted to be a world champion and a sports hero like him. It provided many opportunities for the growth of sports in the country. We now have weekly boxing events in various parts of our country, giving jobs to promoters, managers, fighters, the media and various industry related companies. Boxing is growing and it is slowly becoming our national sport. Filipinos all over the world come together whenever Pacquiao fights. It is a national holiday for Overseas Filipino workers, immigrants and transformed citizens of any country in the world each time he steps in the ring. His bouts are always a good excuse to party, to get together and enjoy food and family in all parts of the world where Filipinos reside. But Pacquiao is not only our best bet in boxing. He may be our "National Treasure" but there are others who are gems of a stone too. We had numerous boxing champions, four at the current time after starting with seven in 2012. And one of them is the unified IBF and WBO super bantamweight champ and a three time champ in three different weight divisions. And he will fight tonight in what will be the biggest card of boxing this weekend all over the world. Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire is not only an excellent boxer but a superb athlete as well. He is the second most recognized Filipino boxer, next to Pacquiao. A constant member of the mythical pound for pound list of various boxing sites and publications, Donaire's talents are undeniable. While it is true that no one can top what Pacquiao did to Philippine boxing and the general landscape of sports in the country. Donaire and fellow world champions like Donnie Nietes, Brian Viloria, John Riel Casimero and Denver Cuello are following in Pacquiao's footsteps in making the Philippines as a major superpower in the sport of boxing. And just like Pacquiao they need our support as a nation. We cannot be a one hit wonder in a sport that is ingrained in a nation of heroic warriors or "mandirigmas." Boxing is a sport that exemplifies our strength, our heart and our perseverance as a people. Our fighters not only fight for money and fame but our nation as well whenever they venture out in foreign lands to fight his foe in enemy territory. In a way, they are like most of us who took and are taking chances outside of the Philippines as Overseas Filipino Workers. Tonight, one of our fighters is fighting. Tonight, let us if we can, support not just Donaire but the race and nation that he represents, the flag that stands tall behind him, the national anthem that will play in Carson, California. Tonight, let us gather at The Home Depot Center in Southern California, at a television set wherever you are, or at a computer screen in any part of the world. Tonight, let us forget the troubles and struggles of our nation and in thirty six minutes or less enjoy what is slowly becoming our national sport, our national pride. Photo Credit: Chris Farina - Top Rank

Comments (17)

I lived in the Philipines and boxing is huge and has been that when I lived their in the 80's. It hurts the PI and every other country being so far from America so they will never equal Mexico or PR. Where would Paq be had he not been a late fill in against the African? Donaire got a big boost because of Paq. Basketball is also very big in the PI. They have the second oldest professional basketball league in the world.

13y ago

ELHURACAN58

In a few years, I wouldn't be surprised if the Philippines is as dominant as say a country like Puerto Rico in boxing... I see a lot more Filipino fighters in the gym now than before. They can be more dominant than us actually. At least population, height, and dick length-wise they are on par with mexicans.

13y ago

loui_ludwig

I disagree with it. Once Pac retires, it will dwindle down but still be popular(due to Pac of course). Basketball will still be number 1.

13y ago

loui_ludwig

WTF? I had no idea basketball was the most popular sport in the Philippines. Never heard of a filipino basketball player before. How can basketball be so popular when they aren't any good? Because Pinoys like basketball. In my opinion, their just lacking height. A Filipino center is around 6'6 or 6'5. If a Filipino is 6'9, he is slow compare to Europe or NBA. Philippines has won a bronze in the world championship and 5th place in the Olympics. But that was in the 30's and 50's.

13y ago

flem1

Ironic. The most catholic country in Asia is making bashing people's faces in a national past time. That place is as backwards as you can get with all the banning of contraception and porn. Beating another man to a bloody pulp is cool though. Philippines is becoming international joke. What a moronic way of thinking... smh...

13y ago

Rolph_Spicer

It's about damn time. The Philippines has been crowning boxing champions since the 1920s.

13y ago

Sin_City

In a few years, I wouldn't be surprised if the Philippines is as dominant as say a country like Puerto Rico in boxing... I see a lot more Filipino fighters in the gym now than before.

13y ago

Bretty_Poy32

WTF? I had no idea basketball was the most popular sport in the Philippines. Never heard of a filipino basketball player before. How can basketball be so popular when they aren't any good? dude basketball is so popular in the philippines that people who died, they request their family to buried them wearing a basket ball jersey and air jordan.... _________________________________________________________________ Originally Posted by ThePunchingBag Ironic. The most catholic country in Asia is making bashing people's faces in a national past time. That place is as backwards as you can get with all the banning of contraception and ****. Beating another man to a bloody pulp is cool though. Philippines is becoming international joke. if you think about it, a lot of the countries still got backwards mentality in them

13y ago

John_Barron

13y ago

THE_DESTROYER

jordan is like god in the philippines during his time.... all of my uncles sons are named Iverson, stephon, carmelo, lebron , kobe, jordan.. I kid you not... see how they go crazy with a simple dunk from kobe...

13y ago

croz

It's on FilipinoFlash.com IMO

13y ago

Medved

WTF? I had no idea basketball was the most popular sport in the Philippines. Never heard of a filipino basketball player before. How can basketball be so popular when they aren't any good? Cuz PH in its many centuries of being pillaged and bowing down to invaders decided to be loyal only to 1 master and became America's slave. Since PH is in such a important place in world for war that means USA has a TON of soldiers/bases in PH, they brought the game over. So when your master is playing something, you want to do it too, thats why they have so many crappy "rappers". aka they Emulating American culture. Also they have no local sport / history of sporting (due to constantly being someones wifey thru out history) Free History Lesson

13y ago

ippo

Thats cool. Our sport needs growth. well its dying in the U.S. so its good its growing in other countries also.

13y ago

Canelo_Phresh

Thats cool. Our sport needs growth.

13y ago

monkey_skeleton

13y ago

NearHypnos

Ironic. The most catholic country in Asia is making bashing people's faces in a national past time. That place is as backwards as you can get. Kind of true, but seems like they're jumping the gun a little bit based off the success of pac's career...economically..... that is. They've never been a bad boxing nation, so it could also be that maybe it's about time in terms of their actual accomplishments on the world stage...compared to say...basket ball.

13y ago

ThePunchingBag

13y ago