For the average boxer, who usually comes from a poor family, the prize
money is the main driving force, especially in his early years in the
sport. But for some of the really good fighters, money takes on a less
and less a priority, ironically as it becomes bigger and bigger.
Manny Pacquiao could very well quit while he's ahead. And in fact, he's very well ahead in the game:
He's a multimillionaire who drives Porsche Cayenne and owns several
houses, including a mansion in General Santos City. He has several
product endorsement deals and a contract as talent for GMA Network.
And most of all, he has earned the admiration of sports fan all over
the world, particularly his fellow Pinoys, now that he's bagged the
World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight title.
Along the way, he even sent one opponent, Mexican Marco
Antonio Barrera, into retirement with a decisive loss. But he himself
just won't quit, not even with the constant urging of his mother
Dionisia.
And Pacquiao has even raised the stakes, not only
financially but technically, opting to risk going up the weight
division to fight in the 135-pound lightweight division – with the
current holder of the World Boxing Council (WBC) title as his very
first opponent.
Will he be able to wrest the WBC lightweight title from Mexican-American David Diaz?
Boxing analysts and commentators could only make unfounded
speculations, having no previous bouts between the two fighters on
which to base an opinion.
The closest they had ever been earlier was last March 15 (March 16 in
the Philippines) at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas,
Nevada, where Pacquiao wrested the WBC super featherweight title from
Juan Manuel Marquez and where Diaz won his 10-round nontitle bout with
Ramon Montano.
On June 28 (June 29 in the Philippines), in the very same venue, they would finally face each other in the ring.
And if Pacquiao could beat David on his first stab at the
lightweight title, he would not only be richer. He would also have
become the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, considering that
undefeated American welterweight Floyd Mayweather Jr. has announced his
retirement.
Source:
GMANews.TV
Finally as of today, He is the only Filipino, and the only Asian, who won four world titles in as many different weight divisions.
He is not the only Pinoy holding his head up high now, but all the Pinoys all over the world.
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