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Ever remember watching the movie “Rocky” and getting inspired when he decided he wasn’t going to be a “bum” anymore? The famous theme song began to play and Rocky began to work out harder than ever before. It just made you want to go out and do something great—something impossible.
He was the underdog. There was no way a guy like him could defeat Apollo Creed and rise up out of poverty, but the fictional pugilist defied all the odds.
The Manny Pacquiao story is the true Rocky story, but to an even greater extreme.
He rose up out of horrible poverty and impossible circumstances to become the Pound for Pound King of the sport.
*
What does it take to achieve greatness? Faith.
Pacquiao believes in God and obviously understands the Bible verse that states: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Pacquiao has slain every giant in his path.
Time after time he was underestimated. Pundits looked at many of his opponents and said there was no way he could win. “This one’s too fast.” “This one’s too strong.” “This one’s too big.” “This one’s too smart.”
Pacquiao didn’t mind. He beat them anyway.
What happens when a poor, but talented kid from the Philippines believes that the impossible is possible?
Here’s what happens:
2006, 2008 and 2009 Boxing Writers Association Of America Fighter of the Year
2006, 2008 and 2009 Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year
2006 and 2008 SecondsOut.com Fighter of the Year
2008 and 2009 Ring Magazine No. 1 Pound-for-Pound (year-end)
5-Time PSA Sportsman of the Year
2008 University Athletic Association of the Philippines Honorary Award for Sports Excellence
2008 and 2009 BoxingScene.com Fighter of the Year
2008 Sports Illustrated Boxer of the Year
2008 and 2009 TheSweetScience.com Boxer of the Year
2008 and 2009 WBC Boxer of the Year
2008 and 2009 8CountNews.com Fighter of the Year
2008 Yahoo Sports Fighter of the Year
2008 and 2009 ESPN Star's Champion of Champions
2009 ESPN Fighter of the Year
2009 ESPN Knockout of the Year
2009 ESPY Awards Best Fighter
2009 TIME 100 Most Influential People (Heroes & Icons Category)
2009 TIME Asia Magazine cover for November 16, 2009 Issue
2009 Forbes Magazine Celebrity 100 (ranked 57th)
2009 Sports Illustrated Fighter of the Year
2009 The Ring Magazine Knockout of the Year
2009 Boxrec.com International Fighter of the Year
2009 Boxrec.com International Fight of the Year –Pacquiao vs. Cotto
2000-09 Philippine Sportswriters Association Athlete of the Decade
2000-09 The SweetScience.com Fighter of the Decade
2000-09 HBO Fighter of the Decade
2000-09 Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Awards: Fighter of the Decade
2000-09 Boxing Writers Association Of America Fighter of the Decade
2000-09 The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Decade
2009 World's Greatest Ever Featherweight
2009 World's Greatest Ever (ranked number 2)
Only boxer to ever win 7 world titles in 7 different weight divisions
Jason Cook of Garfield, Arkansas asked: “When you look at his list of awards and accomplishments, what else is there to say? Is there anybody else who has a list of awards like that?”
This writer was unable to find another boxer who has amassed such an impressive list. After researching the awards and accomplishments of many of the greatest boxers of all time (some of whom are still receiving various types of awards to this day) it is apparent that Pacquiao has received a greater number of formal recognitions than any of his predecessors or contemporaries.
Critics can scoff. They can talk trash and attempt to downplay his accomplishments, but who can possibly deny that list?
On the Internet, a lie can travel half way around the world before truth has a chance to put its boots on.
Pacquiao's legacy*is what it is.
That's truth, right there.
http://www.examiner.com/x-42747-Fort...xer-in-history
He was the underdog. There was no way a guy like him could defeat Apollo Creed and rise up out of poverty, but the fictional pugilist defied all the odds.
The Manny Pacquiao story is the true Rocky story, but to an even greater extreme.
He rose up out of horrible poverty and impossible circumstances to become the Pound for Pound King of the sport.
*
What does it take to achieve greatness? Faith.
Pacquiao believes in God and obviously understands the Bible verse that states: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Pacquiao has slain every giant in his path.
Time after time he was underestimated. Pundits looked at many of his opponents and said there was no way he could win. “This one’s too fast.” “This one’s too strong.” “This one’s too big.” “This one’s too smart.”
Pacquiao didn’t mind. He beat them anyway.
What happens when a poor, but talented kid from the Philippines believes that the impossible is possible?
Here’s what happens:
2006, 2008 and 2009 Boxing Writers Association Of America Fighter of the Year
2006, 2008 and 2009 Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year
2006 and 2008 SecondsOut.com Fighter of the Year
2008 and 2009 Ring Magazine No. 1 Pound-for-Pound (year-end)
5-Time PSA Sportsman of the Year
2008 University Athletic Association of the Philippines Honorary Award for Sports Excellence
2008 and 2009 BoxingScene.com Fighter of the Year
2008 Sports Illustrated Boxer of the Year
2008 and 2009 TheSweetScience.com Boxer of the Year
2008 and 2009 WBC Boxer of the Year
2008 and 2009 8CountNews.com Fighter of the Year
2008 Yahoo Sports Fighter of the Year
2008 and 2009 ESPN Star's Champion of Champions
2009 ESPN Fighter of the Year
2009 ESPN Knockout of the Year
2009 ESPY Awards Best Fighter
2009 TIME 100 Most Influential People (Heroes & Icons Category)
2009 TIME Asia Magazine cover for November 16, 2009 Issue
2009 Forbes Magazine Celebrity 100 (ranked 57th)
2009 Sports Illustrated Fighter of the Year
2009 The Ring Magazine Knockout of the Year
2009 Boxrec.com International Fighter of the Year
2009 Boxrec.com International Fight of the Year –Pacquiao vs. Cotto
2000-09 Philippine Sportswriters Association Athlete of the Decade
2000-09 The SweetScience.com Fighter of the Decade
2000-09 HBO Fighter of the Decade
2000-09 Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Awards: Fighter of the Decade
2000-09 Boxing Writers Association Of America Fighter of the Decade
2000-09 The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Decade
2009 World's Greatest Ever Featherweight
2009 World's Greatest Ever (ranked number 2)
Only boxer to ever win 7 world titles in 7 different weight divisions
Jason Cook of Garfield, Arkansas asked: “When you look at his list of awards and accomplishments, what else is there to say? Is there anybody else who has a list of awards like that?”
This writer was unable to find another boxer who has amassed such an impressive list. After researching the awards and accomplishments of many of the greatest boxers of all time (some of whom are still receiving various types of awards to this day) it is apparent that Pacquiao has received a greater number of formal recognitions than any of his predecessors or contemporaries.
Critics can scoff. They can talk trash and attempt to downplay his accomplishments, but who can possibly deny that list?
On the Internet, a lie can travel half way around the world before truth has a chance to put its boots on.
Pacquiao's legacy*is what it is.
That's truth, right there.
http://www.examiner.com/x-42747-Fort...xer-in-history
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