THE VENOM OF SUCCESS
By Doods A. Amora, PEE
By Doods A. Amora, PEE
The fight with Antonio Margarito is inching closer - two more weeks of heavy training… the remaining days are for tapering down.
So then, Pacman has only two weeks of last hour cramming. Mentally and physically, it’s not enough. Coach Roach is concerned. To his mind, a lot of set maneuvers in sequenced drills have yet to be perfected.
The fans are worried. I too, am anxious.
So then, Pacman has only two weeks of last hour cramming. Mentally and physically, it’s not enough. Coach Roach is concerned. To his mind, a lot of set maneuvers in sequenced drills have yet to be perfected.
The fans are worried. I too, am anxious.
Again, too many distractions… too many sidetrips.
This time, I’m not sure if the Filipino people can accept defeat. That of course includes those so-called ‘constituents’ of the Politician - the very ‘constituents’ who love him because he is the Congressman.
Yet I doubt that the Filipino nation (me, included), the so-called “Sambayanang Filipino” (in traditional politicians’ over-used flatter) prefers to see their idol in coat & tie, dining & mingling with the elite.
This time, I’m not sure if the Filipino people can accept defeat. That of course includes those so-called ‘constituents’ of the Politician - the very ‘constituents’ who love him because he is the Congressman.
Yet I doubt that the Filipino nation (me, included), the so-called “Sambayanang Filipino” (in traditional politicians’ over-used flatter) prefers to see their idol in coat & tie, dining & mingling with the elite.
I still would like to believe the “Sambayanang Filipino” wants to see their idol’s hands raised in a stunning knock-out victory! That’s Planet Pacman is all about – nothing else.
Sidetrips...? Being a Congressman in Planet Pacman, is icing of the cake. In the highest degree, it is the self-actualization of the man’s long-time hierarchy of dreams. Hence, the congressman in Manny is bonus, at least, in the thoughts of many.
No question about it. That is his…
But then, the pressure and responsibility of being the man known as the singer, movie actor, basketball player, father, husband, lover, leader, writer, politician and world champion boxer rolled into one is not easy. It takes a lot of brain, blood, heart and attitude towards dealing with success itself.
Yet, all these successes from once a lowly life had its road through boxing. From his humble beginnings, he had attained the unthinkable. He had in his resume a record of seven crowns in seven weight divisions – an elite feat exclusive only to him. He has reached the summit amongst the Pound-for-Pound Kings subject to the ire and envy of other boxing greats. He had conquered the big names in the boxing world where nobody in the past could have ever imagined even in the wildest dreams. Barrera, Marquez, Morales, Diaz, Dela Hoya, Hatton, Cotto, Clottey. Who else? 
Whatever fame, fortune and everything Pacquaio has today, he owes it to Boxing. Eclipsing the then phenomenal Muhammad Ali’s earnings, Pacquaio now is a billionaire by Philippine standards. Nobody can’t take it away from him… again, it’s his - and it’s through this boxing prominence and resources that he became a Congressman.
An eighth title? I doubt if it’s enough fire & motivation for the man at the apex.
Kayang kaya? I hope it is. Over-confidence? I hope not.
Now, comes Margarito… Can the Pacman do it again? Of course yes, but maybe not!
Margarito is one of the greatest in the trade. To his credit, he had likewise conquered the biggest & best names in his weight range. He is heavier, bigger, pressure-packed and significantly taller than Pacquaio. On top of this, Margarito is known for his granite chin, enduring stamina, timing, bravery, physical strength, using reach advantage to the fullest, dirty tactics and most importantly, focus.
When Pacquaio fought the 5’9” Clottey, he looked like a 12-year old boy fighting a full-grown adult. Pacman dominated the fight though, while Clottey only managed to land a few power shots. At the end of the day, Pacquaio was the runaway winner but his bulging face looked like he was the vanquished. As I said in my previous blog, had Clottey elected to fight, the result could have been the reverse.
But Antonio Margarito is stronger, taller and craftier than Clottey. Now with the 5’11” Margarito, Pacquaio will look like a kid fighting a giant. Unlike Clottey’s defensive shell, the hard-working offensive minded Margarito is an unrelenting piston in his two fists.
As of today, it seems that Antonio Margarito, the Mexican Tornado, is more prepared mentally & physically than our hero. After a year of suspension, Margarito is hungrier than a tiger – and he wants a delicious big prey in Pacquaio no matter if its life or death. After Pacman, in Arum's words, "sky is the limit for Antonio"!
Motivation? Yes, Margarito has a big one! Bob Arum himself is convinced in Margarito’s resolve. He has trained like a mad man possesed. From the looks of it, he is well-conditioned and ready for war. On the other hand, Arum didn’t see the real Pacman and chided a rematch this early. By all indications, the war will be interestingly exciting for sure, but the shadow of frustration looms to the “Sambayanang Filipino”.
An eighth title? I doubt if it’s enough fire & motivation for the man at the apex.
Kayang kaya? I hope it is. Over-confidence? I hope not.
Now, comes Margarito… Can the Pacman do it again? Of course yes, but maybe not!
Margarito is one of the greatest in the trade. To his credit, he had likewise conquered the biggest & best names in his weight range. He is heavier, bigger, pressure-packed and significantly taller than Pacquaio. On top of this, Margarito is known for his granite chin, enduring stamina, timing, bravery, physical strength, using reach advantage to the fullest, dirty tactics and most importantly, focus.
When Pacquaio fought the 5’9” Clottey, he looked like a 12-year old boy fighting a full-grown adult. Pacman dominated the fight though, while Clottey only managed to land a few power shots. At the end of the day, Pacquaio was the runaway winner but his bulging face looked like he was the vanquished. As I said in my previous blog, had Clottey elected to fight, the result could have been the reverse.
But Antonio Margarito is stronger, taller and craftier than Clottey. Now with the 5’11” Margarito, Pacquaio will look like a kid fighting a giant. Unlike Clottey’s defensive shell, the hard-working offensive minded Margarito is an unrelenting piston in his two fists.
As of today, it seems that Antonio Margarito, the Mexican Tornado, is more prepared mentally & physically than our hero. After a year of suspension, Margarito is hungrier than a tiger – and he wants a delicious big prey in Pacquaio no matter if its life or death. After Pacman, in Arum's words, "sky is the limit for Antonio"!
Motivation? Yes, Margarito has a big one! Bob Arum himself is convinced in Margarito’s resolve. He has trained like a mad man possesed. From the looks of it, he is well-conditioned and ready for war. On the other hand, Arum didn’t see the real Pacman and chided a rematch this early. By all indications, the war will be interestingly exciting for sure, but the shadow of frustration looms to the “Sambayanang Filipino”.
News items as of this moment are already full of “what ifs” and “upsets”. Rematch as an aftermath is now being talked about as the certainty of Pacquaio’s victory now clouded in doubt.
A recent news clip quoted Coach Freddie Roach saying, “It’s the worst training camp we ever had. Manny loves his job and misses his job as a congressman. His mind was on Congress for the first few weeks of training and you could tell. It wasn’t on being in the gym. He’s so proud to be a politician, and he walks the walk. He loves being a congressman and I feel that eventually, yes, we will lose him to politics.” Not now. Not on November 13. The people still hope that the venom of success has not yet eaten the inner veins of Pacman's spirit. We still can win.
A recent news clip quoted Coach Freddie Roach saying, “It’s the worst training camp we ever had. Manny loves his job and misses his job as a congressman. His mind was on Congress for the first few weeks of training and you could tell. It wasn’t on being in the gym. He’s so proud to be a politician, and he walks the walk. He loves being a congressman and I feel that eventually, yes, we will lose him to politics.” Not now. Not on November 13. The people still hope that the venom of success has not yet eaten the inner veins of Pacman's spirit. We still can win.
But, the end is near, yes. Manny Pacquiao, our Hero, the Prizefighter who brought pride to the country will for sure lose Boxing to the quicksand of Politics. One can’t serve two masters at the same time, it’s either you love one and despise the other, as the Bible says.
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