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By Rick Reeno - Back in 2003, nobody could have imagined that Manny Pacquiao's eleven-round destruction of Marco Antonio Barrera would jumpstart a competitive rivalry between two countries.
For decades it was the best of Mexico battling the best of Puerto Rico for national pride and geographical bragging rights. On the other side of the fence, the best of the Philippines was staging their own battles for supremacy with the best of Thailand.
Since the Barrera-Pacquiao battle of 2003, the best boxers from Mexico and the Philippines have focused most of their attention on fighting each other. It's become rare to watch a major boxing card and not see a Filipino fighting a Mexican, or at least one or two fighters from either country being sprinkled on the card.
Unlike America, boxing is a mega-sport in both countries. The fighters involved are not the only individuals to cash in on a good thing. Major promoters like Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank have signed dozens of Filipino and Mexican prospects. [details]
For decades it was the best of Mexico battling the best of Puerto Rico for national pride and geographical bragging rights. On the other side of the fence, the best of the Philippines was staging their own battles for supremacy with the best of Thailand.
Since the Barrera-Pacquiao battle of 2003, the best boxers from Mexico and the Philippines have focused most of their attention on fighting each other. It's become rare to watch a major boxing card and not see a Filipino fighting a Mexican, or at least one or two fighters from either country being sprinkled on the card.
Unlike America, boxing is a mega-sport in both countries. The fighters involved are not the only individuals to cash in on a good thing. Major promoters like Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank have signed dozens of Filipino and Mexican prospects. [details]