Pacman: More Than A Boxer

In December 2008, I attended a family gathering to see the Manny Pacquiao fight against Oscar De La Hoya. In the midst of traditional Filipino dishes and karaoke, I watched a short montage on Pacquiao’s rise into the boxing world with a few friends, and was simply in awe. I was shocked to see his early living conditions on Mindanao Island, a place known for poverty, Islamic terrorists, and most recently the massacre of several dozen journalists. There were images of people living in a world of uncertainty, living under one of the most corrupt governments in Asia. Out of this, an unlikely savior from the Sarangani province of the Philippines has become the source of a newfound pride and optimism. I’ve always struggled to learn about my ethnicity, but the film brought new knowledge to my attention, and Pacquiao’s journey left an impression on me. As Pacquiao continued to damage the "Golden Boy," I was busy having conversations with my relatives about my culture, and for the first time, I didn’t feel lost in translation with my own kind. After De La Hoya’s corner threw in the towel, I witnessed one of Pacquiao’s unique qualities: his humility. He never resorts to trash talking and he respects his foes even if they verbally abuse him (as have Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather). He even told De La Hoya before the fight that he was his idol. His behavior is worthy of emulation, and it’s something that inspired me to read one of his biographies, Pacman: Behind the Scenes with Manny Pacquiao, by Gary Andrew Poole. Poole, a journalist from Los Angeles, opened my eyes to a deeper part of a man, who left his cardboard shack home as a kid to work in the capital city of Manila to support his family, and pursue a life in boxing. He described Pacquiao’s early training sessions, from putting gravel into a rice sack to make a heavy bag and his shirt to make gloves. You don’t hear many stories of boxers hanging old flip-flops from a tree branch to be used as a speed bag. One of the most important aspects of the book to take away is Pacquiao’s strong religious values and unfailing compassion for those living in poverty. Poole describes Pacquiao’s foundation to help uplift the lives of Filipinos, as well as people from other parts of the world, and how he has invested in many projects such as medical missions, fundraisers, granting scholarships, and promoting environmental awareness. He tells of a celebrity basketball fundraiser where Pacquiao raised enough money to buy used fire trucks and ambulances from the United States to send to the Philippines. During the series of storms that pummeled Manila in 2009, he took time out from his sparring sessions to help the victims in the wake of typhoons that killed hundreds of people and rendered thousands of families homeless. After reading the book, I understand why Pacquiao has become, along with World Series champ, Tim Lincecum and Miami Heat’s head coach, Erik Spoelstra, one the most recognizable Filipinos anywhere in the world. At age 32, Pacquiao is not undefeated, but his record over the last decade has made boxing significant again, and a possible fight with Mayweather Jr. could elevate his fame to higher levels than could ever be imagine. (I doubt that we’ll see that fight, though). Lennox Lewis, a former heavyweight champion of the world, said of Pacquiao, “people have rallied behind him and feel like they’re a part of him, because they can see his talent, his grace and his class. The grip he holds over the Philippines is similar to Nelson Mandela’s influence in South Africa." Through Poole’s deep observations, readers can expect a compelling rags-to-riches story of Pacquiao’s dedication, determination, and commitment to his country.