THE good thing about Manny Pacquiao is he is a strong believer in himself.

As proof, he became a world boxing champion not just once but a record eight times in eight weight divisions.

I think that’s going to be the hardest to surpass, even equal. It’s almost like Beatlemania: The Beatles are unsurpassable. To even think that another band could equalize their feat of invincibility invites laughter as loud as a tropical thunder.

Honest, can Pacquiao capture Lucas Matthysse’s world welterweight crown (World Boxing Association)?

This, even as Pacquiao is already a fading thirty-niner when he faces Matthysse, who is an absolute bull-strong at age 35, when he defends his title tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur?

When one is wallowing in wanton glee brought on by movie-like success, there is always that danger that one could lose grip of reality.

In 2006 and already on top of the world, Pacquiao made a shock shot at politics. But he lost his congressional bid in GenSan. Three years later, a wiser Pacquiao won in Sarangani.

After two terms in Congress, he aimed for and made it to the Senate in 2016.

Well, if actors and basketball players can become senators, so do boxers, right? And aren’t failed coup plotters in the Senate, too?

Now, when Pacquiao next decides to train his eye at the Palace by the river, do not be surprised.

For, that’s the bad thing about him: He doesn’t know when to stop believing in himself.

Take his fight with Matthysse.

Only the likes of Pacquiao would dare challenge the likes of Matthysse.

The reigning champion from Argentina has knocked out 36 of his 39 victims, the last stoppage he scored early this year.

Pacquiao hasn’t fought for more than a year. He even lost his last fight to a virtual unknown in Jeff Horn on July 1, 2017.

Even as Pacquiao had stopped 38 of his 59 previous victims, his last KO victory was in 2009 yet when he TKO’d Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in the 12th.

Clearly, Pacquiao’s punching power has waned tremendously, the sting in his fists dulled by time.

Still, I pray—let’s all pray—he wins tomorrow.

As the song goes, “I love my own, my native land.”

This time, to patronize is a virtue.