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Reyes a Glass to Manny Pacquiao
Tom Thompson
01/23/2006 - Near New Orleans
Here's to you, Manny Pacquiao, the Superman super featherweight from the island nation.
You did what you told us you could do. You destroyed the heretofore indestructible Erik Morales. You told us that using Reyes gloves would make a difference. While the Mexican warrior dismissed your gloves issue before the contest, surely his shattered nose is a black-eye witness as to what you can do with your horse hair covered left fist now.
There is nothing like Manny Pacquiao in all of professional sports.
Yes, Erik Morales is a national hero in his native Mexico. But he has company in Marco Antonio Barrera and Julio Cesar Chavez and others.
Ricky Hatton is the pride of Manchester, UK, Cory Spinks can fill up the arena in St. Louis and Joe Mesi is again the "third franchise" in Buffalo. But who compares to Manny Pacquiao and his relationship with the Filipino people?
Here in America, you could combine Lance Armstrong, Peyton Manning, LeBron James, Tom Cruise, Bruce Springsteen and 50 Cent into one person and you still wouldn't have what the Philippines have in their number one all-time super-star Manny Pacquiao.
He's that important to his people.
His nation stood still- literally- for "The Battle." Politicians, clergy, elites, commoners and criminals alike took a long pause to witness their idol face down the man who had defeated him less than a year ago. They traveled to Vegas in the thousands and the millions who stayed home watched it on television or listened to it on the radio.
Manny is their Super Bowl, World Series, Final Four and World Cup. He's that big- all 130 lbs of him.
Consider some of the press reports coming out of his country…
It was predicted that the crime rate would fall dramatically in the hours leading up to the fight, during and after as everyone would be glued to their televisions.
In the week leading up to the bout, there was some concern by high-ranking government officials that terrorists in the nation may take advantage of the fact that everyone in the country would be totally distracted by what was going on in Las Vegas.
Clergy and politicians called for a national day of prayer for their idol as he faced Erik the Great.
To call this an event for all of the Philippines seems like an understatement.
After his superb victory, while being interviewed by HBO's Larry Merchant, Pacquiao thanked his compatriots and his president for their love and support. As he spoke, there was no doubt that the entire nation and President Arroyo were watching, listening and celebrating.
As an American, I find myself somewhat envious of what the people of the Philippines have. We have nothing close to what they share with Manny Pacquiao.
Not long ago we had our Michael Jordan. Millions of Americans wanted to be like Mike. Then again, millions of Americans couldn't have cared less. It didn't come close to what Manny means to the Philippines.
Twenty-five years ago a man named Sugar Ray Leonard transcended the sport and became a larger celebrity, but I'm not sure I can accurately call him a "national hero."
No, we've never had a Manny Pacquiao of our own.
On the big stage of boxing, nothing is more enjoyable than watching a national hero perform in front of his boisterous and proud hometown crowd. I'll take a Hatton fight in Manchester or a Mesi fight in Buffalo any time. And on neutral turf, there is nothing more thrilling than having two national heroes clash like titans in Vegas in front of a mixed arena filled with thousands of their fellow countrymen.
*
So let's pass around some well-deserved kudos.
Here's to you, Freddie Roach.
You admitted taking Morales lightly in the first fight. You made the strategic adjustments with your charge. Even as you felt pressure not to do so, you closed Manny's training camp to the distractions of his legions of fans so that you could prepare him with the focus it would take for victory. You kept Manny calm early in the fight when it looked like Morales might be taking control. You produced a winner in a rematch just as dramatic as the original.
Here's to you, Shelly Finkel.
You took over a financial mess of a client when you signed on to represent Pacquiao and you straightened things out for your guy, especially with the IRS. You did the things a good manager should do. Many journalists and fans don't fully appreciate or understand the role of the manager. I do.
Hats off to Gary Shaw.
While Bob Arum and Top Rank did a fine job promoting 'The Battle," you went about the business of promoting and representing your fighter. You took care of the issues that Pacman's former promoter either failed to or didn't think were important. You got your fighter his Reyes gloves and you put him in the most comfortable suite Steve Wynn made available to you. With ace publicist Fred Sternburg on your team, you just may make Manny Pacquiao the most popular boxer in the United States soon. There are reasons why several media outlets, including this one, named you Promoter of the Year.
Congratulations to the people of the Philippines. You love and worship Manny Pacquiao and he didn't let you down. You stood by him last year even after his disappointing loss to Erik Morales because you are true fans. We can all learn a lesson from you.
And finally, Reyes your glass to the Man of the Hour, the talk of the town, the beloved idol of a nation.
Enjoy your historic win, Manny. You deserve it.
Re: "THE BATTLE" pacman-morales 2 (jan 22 sunday phil time)
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