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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN News) |
The worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts are paying tribute to Filipino boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao who officially announced his retirement from boxing on September 29, 2021 which came on the heels of his decision to run for president in the 2022 national and local elections. The 42-year old southpaw from General Santos City walks away from the squared circle with a professional record of 62 wins, eight losses and two draws with 39 victories by way of knockout and the distinction of being the only pugilist in history to win multiple world titles in eight different weight classes as well as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world for a long time by most sporting outfits and combat sports news websites.
From his professional debut in 1995 as a minimumweight competitor, Pacquiao rose up the scale to claim outstanding wins over some of the who's who of boxing including Lehlo Ledwaba, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarita, Shane Mosley, and Timothy Bradley Jr. Transitioning from boxing's best-kept secret to a global sporting figure, Pacquiao's shocking eight-round stoppage of De La Hoya in December 2008 made him a crossover star and a media darling. He was hailed Fighter Of The Year three times by Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). In addition, the BWAA body recognized the Pinoy fistic sensation with the Fighter Of The Decade citation for the 2000s. Many in the combat sports community praised the legendary boxer for his successful and incredible career including BRAVE Combat Federation President Mohammed Shahid, Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) vice president Hubert Minn, Team Lakay founder and head coach Mark Sangiao, fellow Filipino world boxing champion Gerry Peñalosa and boxing analyst Nissi Icasiano.
“Manny Pacquiao is a legend of combat sports, not just in the Philippines, but worldwide. He has proven that a young kid full of dreams, talent, and perseverance can overcome adversities and march towards world titles, glory, and legendary status,” Shahid said. “He deserves all the best in this new chapter of his life. We, at BRAVE Combat Federation, are working hard to make sure that Pacquiao’s story is not an isolated incident in the sport anymore. Manny will serve as an inspiration to many, many future world-class athletes from all around the world and all walks of life.” On the other hand, Minn views Pacquiao as one of the all-time best in the sport of boxing especially in the OPBF, and a great representative of Filipino culture. According to the Hawaii-based veteran World Boxing Council boxing ring official who currently takes on the role as the federation's second highest official, it is primarily due to his humanness aside from his boxing accomplishments. “A humane person is one who shows great compassion and caring for others, including animals, and who tries whenever possible to alleviate another’s suffering. The idea of being humane is linked to a higher level of a person’s character,” said Minn.
Sangiao expressed his gratefulness to the Filipino boxing icon for serving as an inspiration not only in sports, but in every soul that dreams to be someone and something in the world where achieving is almost impossible. “Thank you for giving your all, for being the great Pacquiao we know. May the Great Force be with you always and let me say how grateful we are in my Igorot language —‘Iyaman Apo,’” said Sangiao. Peñalosa had mixed emotions about the boxing sensation's announcement of his retirement from the sport considering that he is one of Manny's close friends. “Nakakalungkot but happy at the same time, madadagdagan ang oras niya sa family (niya). Mami-miss namin ang isang Manny Pacquiao sa itaas ng boxing ring, na naka-unite sa Filipino people everytime na lumaban siya. Thank you, Manny.” Finally, Icasiano summed it all up in Manny's 26 years as a professional boxer. “There is no denying that he singlehandedly changed boxing’s landscape in its entirety. This generation is very fortunate to have witnessed all the wonders he has done inside the ring. Truly, his caliber as an athlete comes only once in a lifetime.”
