Monday, October 06, 2008 Pacman's own American dream By Edwin G. Espejo
ON HIS own, Manny Pacquiao is already a big name in boxing.
But his December 6 date with Oscar de la Hoya, boxing world's biggest cash cow, has him crashing into the world of big league celebrities that has eluded the Filipino boxing icon despite his recent ring successes.
De la Hoya is one of America's poster boy athletes whose recognition and name recall go beyond the square ring and into the mainstream way of life. He is a celebrity even outside his chosen sports discipline - the quintessential product of the great American dream.
Born to Mexican immigrant parents, de la Hoya captured America's imagination with his good looks, photogenic smile, and gold medal performance at the Barcelona Olympics.
De la Hoya practically resurrected interest in boxing following the disgraced departure and retirement of Mike Tyson.
With the Statue of Liberty towering behind them, Manny Pacquiao and De La Hoya raised and clinched their fists in New York Thursday (Manila time) to kick off a six-city promotional tour of their own gigantic showdown a little over two months from now.
Welcome to the Pacquiao-De La Hoya Show, a dream contest between the sport’s most bankable star and boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter who will figure in a 12-round encounter at 147 pounds on December 6 in Las Vegas.
Appearing in dark suits and both looking in high spirits, Pacquiao and De La Hoya took the Big Apple by storm in starting off their tour that also include stops in Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
De La Hoya and Pacquiao also exude confidence in their coming fight that will take place at the MGM Grand, with the Mexican warrior declaring this will not be his last fight and the Filipino boxer announcing he is out to prove the doubting Thomases wrong.
Manny's current six-city tour to promote his fight with De La Hoya is giving him a once in a lifetime to hit the big jackpot that who knows where it will bring him.
He may be still on the outside looking in but a foot of his is already on the other side of the door.
Why? Manny can now even afford to give Oscar a rebate of his PPV share if gets to put one over and defeat Golden Boy eleven days before he celebrates his 30th birthday.
Filipinos have always been magnanimous in victory.
Ask Manny, he is no penny pincher in doling out "balatos" from his winnings. Make a good account of himself and Briton Ricky Hatton looms in the horizon. Show the world that he is up to the task and Pretty Boy Mayweather Jr. could be goaded to come out from his retirement cocoon and give boxing its biggest money fight next year.
Those are only few of the bonanzas that await Manny in taking Oscar's challenge, which was originally his own calling.
But there is also danger that is laying in ambush when Manny returns to General Santos after his bout with de la Hoya.
Win or lose, the vultures, crocs, leeches and all parasites imaginable already couldn't wait to get their hands in Manny's pockets and their mouths on his ears.
How many are goading Manny to again run for public office because they also want to join the bandwagon?
How many more will force Manny's hands to sign checks for properties he has not seen or will not be able to see because he simply is too trusting?
How many will throw their weight around to form a brick wall around the Filipino champ because they want no other to share the spoils?
Manny should look at Tyson's way, nearer home to Lando Navarette.
Manny's own pursuit of the American Dream is already on hand.
It is for him to lose not atop the ring but outside where his ferocity is only matched by his gullibility.
To be forewarned, they say, is to be forearmed.
In agreeing to fight De La Hoya, Pacquiao, the current World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion, is giving up too much in height and size and is clearly the underdog come fight night.
"Some people are criticizing Oscar for picking on a small guy like me. Some people say I'm picking this fight for the money," Pacquiao said. "I'm going to prove everyone wrong."
De La Hoya, boxing's "Golden Boy," said he wants to fight at least a couple of times after his bout with Pacquiao.
"There's no doubt about it. My mind can still do it, my body can still do it," said De La Hoya. "I'm going to ride the wave for a little while."
De La Hoya broke box office and pay-per-view records when he faced and lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year. After the defeat, De La Hoya initially planned to hang up his gloves but changed his mind and fought Steve Forbes, whom he beat on points.
Now, he has Pacquiao as his next opponent. The Filipino may be lacking in height and size, but he is an equally terrific fighter who fears no one, even if it's De La Hoya standing in front of him. (With CRAM of Sun.Star Davao)
