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Since Pacquiao isn't running for office, this article is old news. So instead of forgetting it, I decided to make it a Boxingscene forum exclusive. Check it out:
"From Pillar to Post" - Is Pacquiao on the Path to Self-Destruction?
By Ryan ********
For young, explosive fighters, their primes seem to be there one day, and then without missing a beat, gone as if but an apparition. Take for instance Mike Tyson, who by the age of 24 was but a mere shadow of his former indomitable self. Jack Dempsey was a similar styled fighter who went from his wildly entertaining two round war with Firpo to being totally mismatched against Gene Tunney. Contrast that with cerebral chess players like Willie Pep and Lennox Lewis, boxers who lived life slower in and out of the ring than the aforementioned pugs and consequentially had significantly longer primes.
Manny Pacquiao is cut from the mold of the first kind of fighter, the aggressive sluggers who go from 0-60 at break neck speed, appearing glamorous and awe-inspiring all the way. Fighters like Manny, when they are young and at their peaks, can only be defeated by themselves. At 28 years of age, the Filipino icon has already stamped himself as the preeminent crossover star of modern times from his Pacific Island country. A pop artist, movie appearances, and a fixture on the public affairs circuit, Manny is an individual who wears many hats. But for a man whose prospects in the ring are predicated on maniacal conditioning and unearthly reflexes, it is possible that he has his hand in too many pots for an upper echelon fighter.
In his native Philippines, where Manny is a celebrity on par with America's fixations with Britney Spears and Michael Jordan, he is an adored and treasured commodity. Hailing from a developing nation without the kind of distinguishable exports that England and The United States have, Manny is often looked upon to take up great responsibility to his countrymen.
The latest in a series of distractions and side projects is his endeavors at public office in his native Mindinao.
After milling over his options, Manny has decided to run for congressman in the province of South Cotabato's first district against Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio. He had flirted with the possibility of seeking the mayorship of his hometown of General Santos City, only to be denied as a result of his residence in Manila. Running under the ******* Party banner, headed by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Manny's business out of the ring will begin to heat up in chronological conjunction with his next fistic endeavor, his scheduled mid-April clash with undefeated Mexican Jorge Solis.
South Cotabato is home to an estimated 690,728 citizens, according to 2000 census. The first district is comprised of Manny's hometown of General Santos City, along with the smaller towns of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan.
These aspirations may potentially hinder the current pound for pound elitist Pacquiao, who following his two destructive knockouts of Erik Morales in 2006 earned himself Ring Magazine's Fighter of the Year honors. A fighter's biggest downfalls tend to occur when he forgets that he is a fighter and starts behaving like a celebrity. Such has been the case with talented prodigies Zabdiel Judah and Shannon Briggs, whose careers and legacies will not tell the story of their fantastic talents as a result.
Despite the overwhelming fan objection to Manny running for office, Manny insists on following his heart into politics. As reported by Veronica Uy, Manny stated, "I am aware of the [fans’] sentiment expressed over the Internet. Maybe they should also go to General Santos City and see how much help the people there need.”
Just this past month, Manny and younger brother Bobby completed their high school equivalence exams. After learning of his successful results, Manny has elected to attend college, intending to major in Political Science and Management. As commendable a feat as Manny's latest enlightenments have been (truly astonishing given his impoverished upbringing), he currently lacks the formal education that many politicians possess when dealing with complex issues. As benevolent as his intentions may be, is Manny Pacquiao really qualified to enter the political realm?
"Remains to be seen," offers Philboxing.com Editor Dong Secuya. "What I know about Pacquiao, outside of boxing, is his forays into the pool parlors, casinos, **** fight arenas, concerts and well, association with some politicians. He does have a knack for helping the poor. His lack of experience as a public servant does not necessarily make him unqualified, but is he smart enough to run for a political office? It's a long shot, I guess."
"Basically, politics in the Philippines is a bit of a joke. Adding Pacquiao to it would not dramatically alter what a bloody stinking institution it already is."
A frequent supporter of Manny's interests, *********.com correspondent Brad Cooney, also questions the qualifications of the former three-division champion. "I honestly don't know if Manny is 'smart' enough to run for office, he might be. [The Philippines] has major issues, and I am not sure if Manny Pacquiao is 'qualified' or not. Just because you're a celebrity doesn't mean you can be successful in politics. Arnold Schwarzengger, and Jesse Ventura gave it a try, people can make their own judgements on them.
Cooney does go on to state the possible benefits of Manny's character, remarking "However, I think if he surrounds himself with good people, and maintains a humble heart, he might do some good for the people in The Philippines."
Of recent vintage, the primary hindrances of Manny's career have come from the distracting appurtenances of his meteoric fame. During the training for his life and death draw with Juan Manuel Marquez, when the Wild Card Gym was flooded with adoring fans each day to Pacquiao's detriment, Manny failed to properly condition and prepare himself for the spirited effort of the then-featherweight titlist. Manny escaped with an even verdict when an early knockout seemed inevitable.
South Cotabato Governor Daisy Fuentes has openly objected to Pacquiao's decision to run for office, describing him as "incompetent." As reported by Aquiles Zonio, Fuentes stated, "People can't blame Pacman because he was just instigated by the ruling party which wanted to reduce the number of opposition lawmakers in Congress. I doubt if Manny can participate in debates on issues of national interest."
For years, Manny's endorsement of candidates has possessed the influence to sway local elections. It is possible, some suggest probable, that Manny is being used as a puppet by government officials to advance their own political agendas.
Lost in the commotion caused by Manny's extracurricular activities is that Manny still has business to take care in his present office, the boxing ring. When Manny faces off with the unbeaten unknown Solis, Pacquiao will be without the services of Freddie Roach, his long-time trainer and confidant. Roach will be in Puerto Rico training Oscar De La Hoya for his summit meeting with pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. Taking his place will be Roach understudy Justin Fortune. Is it possible that Manny is on a collision course with reality, forced to face the truth that a fighter can only be a fighter while on active duty? Well, no one really knows for sure. That's because no one has ever heard of Jorge Solis, not even Freddie Roach.
"I have no idea who he is!," exclaimed Roach to writer Lisa Scott. "They accepted him as an opponent without seeing a tape on the guy...How can you get ready for a fighter that you know nothing about? Is this guy a southpaw? Is he tall? Is he short? Is he a runner? How did he become 32-0? I'm very disappointed in Manny's people for not asking me about this opponent, and for accepting the fight. This is the first time in Manny's career that this has happened."
If Roach doesn't know what's going on, can we depend on an already distracted Pacquiao to be on the ball with his matters in the ring? Most likely not.
Pacquiao's desire to be of service to his kabayan is sincere, if somewhat misguided. If he wishes to be of benefit to his countrymen, he should re-watch the tape of his fight with Oscar Larios, when he wiped the ring with the former titlist to the delight of the sizable crowd at Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Amidst the international specter of an impending coup d'état, an entire country united in celebrating the victory of it's national treasure. Indeed, Manny Pacquiao is the icon that every Filipino can look up to as something to be proud of. Not many of those come along on the grand scale that can sum up the glory of a troubled country struggling to regain stability. Through boxing, Manny Pacquiao has been a loyal civil servant that has provided both esteem and identity to a country that at times lacks both.
When polls open on May 14, voters will decide whether or not they have faith in Manny's ability to lead their district in the right direction. For the ardent Pacmaniacs, this is one battle they hope Manny loses.
Feedback is always appreciated. Send your comments and questions to mc_rson@yahoo.com . My ******* address is http://www.*******.com/asian_sensation201 . My website URL is http://www.boxingscene.com/ryan******** .
"From Pillar to Post" - Is Pacquiao on the Path to Self-Destruction?
By Ryan ********
For young, explosive fighters, their primes seem to be there one day, and then without missing a beat, gone as if but an apparition. Take for instance Mike Tyson, who by the age of 24 was but a mere shadow of his former indomitable self. Jack Dempsey was a similar styled fighter who went from his wildly entertaining two round war with Firpo to being totally mismatched against Gene Tunney. Contrast that with cerebral chess players like Willie Pep and Lennox Lewis, boxers who lived life slower in and out of the ring than the aforementioned pugs and consequentially had significantly longer primes.
Manny Pacquiao is cut from the mold of the first kind of fighter, the aggressive sluggers who go from 0-60 at break neck speed, appearing glamorous and awe-inspiring all the way. Fighters like Manny, when they are young and at their peaks, can only be defeated by themselves. At 28 years of age, the Filipino icon has already stamped himself as the preeminent crossover star of modern times from his Pacific Island country. A pop artist, movie appearances, and a fixture on the public affairs circuit, Manny is an individual who wears many hats. But for a man whose prospects in the ring are predicated on maniacal conditioning and unearthly reflexes, it is possible that he has his hand in too many pots for an upper echelon fighter.
In his native Philippines, where Manny is a celebrity on par with America's fixations with Britney Spears and Michael Jordan, he is an adored and treasured commodity. Hailing from a developing nation without the kind of distinguishable exports that England and The United States have, Manny is often looked upon to take up great responsibility to his countrymen.
The latest in a series of distractions and side projects is his endeavors at public office in his native Mindinao.
After milling over his options, Manny has decided to run for congressman in the province of South Cotabato's first district against Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio. He had flirted with the possibility of seeking the mayorship of his hometown of General Santos City, only to be denied as a result of his residence in Manila. Running under the ******* Party banner, headed by Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Manny's business out of the ring will begin to heat up in chronological conjunction with his next fistic endeavor, his scheduled mid-April clash with undefeated Mexican Jorge Solis.
South Cotabato is home to an estimated 690,728 citizens, according to 2000 census. The first district is comprised of Manny's hometown of General Santos City, along with the smaller towns of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan.
These aspirations may potentially hinder the current pound for pound elitist Pacquiao, who following his two destructive knockouts of Erik Morales in 2006 earned himself Ring Magazine's Fighter of the Year honors. A fighter's biggest downfalls tend to occur when he forgets that he is a fighter and starts behaving like a celebrity. Such has been the case with talented prodigies Zabdiel Judah and Shannon Briggs, whose careers and legacies will not tell the story of their fantastic talents as a result.
Despite the overwhelming fan objection to Manny running for office, Manny insists on following his heart into politics. As reported by Veronica Uy, Manny stated, "I am aware of the [fans’] sentiment expressed over the Internet. Maybe they should also go to General Santos City and see how much help the people there need.”
Just this past month, Manny and younger brother Bobby completed their high school equivalence exams. After learning of his successful results, Manny has elected to attend college, intending to major in Political Science and Management. As commendable a feat as Manny's latest enlightenments have been (truly astonishing given his impoverished upbringing), he currently lacks the formal education that many politicians possess when dealing with complex issues. As benevolent as his intentions may be, is Manny Pacquiao really qualified to enter the political realm?
"Remains to be seen," offers Philboxing.com Editor Dong Secuya. "What I know about Pacquiao, outside of boxing, is his forays into the pool parlors, casinos, **** fight arenas, concerts and well, association with some politicians. He does have a knack for helping the poor. His lack of experience as a public servant does not necessarily make him unqualified, but is he smart enough to run for a political office? It's a long shot, I guess."
"Basically, politics in the Philippines is a bit of a joke. Adding Pacquiao to it would not dramatically alter what a bloody stinking institution it already is."
A frequent supporter of Manny's interests, *********.com correspondent Brad Cooney, also questions the qualifications of the former three-division champion. "I honestly don't know if Manny is 'smart' enough to run for office, he might be. [The Philippines] has major issues, and I am not sure if Manny Pacquiao is 'qualified' or not. Just because you're a celebrity doesn't mean you can be successful in politics. Arnold Schwarzengger, and Jesse Ventura gave it a try, people can make their own judgements on them.
Cooney does go on to state the possible benefits of Manny's character, remarking "However, I think if he surrounds himself with good people, and maintains a humble heart, he might do some good for the people in The Philippines."
Of recent vintage, the primary hindrances of Manny's career have come from the distracting appurtenances of his meteoric fame. During the training for his life and death draw with Juan Manuel Marquez, when the Wild Card Gym was flooded with adoring fans each day to Pacquiao's detriment, Manny failed to properly condition and prepare himself for the spirited effort of the then-featherweight titlist. Manny escaped with an even verdict when an early knockout seemed inevitable.
South Cotabato Governor Daisy Fuentes has openly objected to Pacquiao's decision to run for office, describing him as "incompetent." As reported by Aquiles Zonio, Fuentes stated, "People can't blame Pacman because he was just instigated by the ruling party which wanted to reduce the number of opposition lawmakers in Congress. I doubt if Manny can participate in debates on issues of national interest."
For years, Manny's endorsement of candidates has possessed the influence to sway local elections. It is possible, some suggest probable, that Manny is being used as a puppet by government officials to advance their own political agendas.
Lost in the commotion caused by Manny's extracurricular activities is that Manny still has business to take care in his present office, the boxing ring. When Manny faces off with the unbeaten unknown Solis, Pacquiao will be without the services of Freddie Roach, his long-time trainer and confidant. Roach will be in Puerto Rico training Oscar De La Hoya for his summit meeting with pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. Taking his place will be Roach understudy Justin Fortune. Is it possible that Manny is on a collision course with reality, forced to face the truth that a fighter can only be a fighter while on active duty? Well, no one really knows for sure. That's because no one has ever heard of Jorge Solis, not even Freddie Roach.
"I have no idea who he is!," exclaimed Roach to writer Lisa Scott. "They accepted him as an opponent without seeing a tape on the guy...How can you get ready for a fighter that you know nothing about? Is this guy a southpaw? Is he tall? Is he short? Is he a runner? How did he become 32-0? I'm very disappointed in Manny's people for not asking me about this opponent, and for accepting the fight. This is the first time in Manny's career that this has happened."
If Roach doesn't know what's going on, can we depend on an already distracted Pacquiao to be on the ball with his matters in the ring? Most likely not.
Pacquiao's desire to be of service to his kabayan is sincere, if somewhat misguided. If he wishes to be of benefit to his countrymen, he should re-watch the tape of his fight with Oscar Larios, when he wiped the ring with the former titlist to the delight of the sizable crowd at Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Amidst the international specter of an impending coup d'état, an entire country united in celebrating the victory of it's national treasure. Indeed, Manny Pacquiao is the icon that every Filipino can look up to as something to be proud of. Not many of those come along on the grand scale that can sum up the glory of a troubled country struggling to regain stability. Through boxing, Manny Pacquiao has been a loyal civil servant that has provided both esteem and identity to a country that at times lacks both.
When polls open on May 14, voters will decide whether or not they have faith in Manny's ability to lead their district in the right direction. For the ardent Pacmaniacs, this is one battle they hope Manny loses.
Feedback is always appreciated. Send your comments and questions to mc_rson@yahoo.com . My ******* address is http://www.*******.com/asian_sensation201 . My website URL is http://www.boxingscene.com/ryan******** .
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