Boxers insist on fighting even when it has become obvious it’s time to hang up their gloves.
To most of them, pride punches pure truth out of sight big time.
Doesn’t the knee submit to the tick of time? Like the unresisting flower to the whims of a bee?
The late Muhammad Ali is one example.
After beating Joe Frazier by a 14th-round TKO in the most brutal clash ever between two of the best heavyweights in history, Ali cemented his niche as the greatest of all time.
Ali, after winning that classic “Thrilla in Manila” on Oct. 1, 1975 at the Cubao Big Dome, could have retired—his legacy would be as secure as Digong’s enviable record as the first Philippine president to come from Mindanao.
But Ali would fight again and again and, at age 36 in 1978, he lost his crown to upstart Leon Spinks. Although he would defeat Spinks to regain the title the following year, Ali’s sharpness wasn’t there anymore. Dulled by Father Time.
And so, repeatedly ignoring calls for him to retire, Ali would plod on—only to lose miserably to much younger foes, including Larry Holmes, his spar mate for years.
When he finally quit after 61 fights, winning 56 including 32 KOs, Ali had, in no time, pitifully fallen victim to Parkinson’s Disease—a motor brain ailment largely attributed to head hits absorbed in the ring.
He suffered from it, agonizingly, in his waning years, saying farewell on June 3, 2016, at age 74.
Closer to home, our own Flash Elorde, one of the greatest junior lightweights ever, did not actually retire even after he had already compiled 118 fights.
The government, in a noble bid to preserve a living treasure, forced Elorde, the first Asian to make it to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, to retire. A chain smoker after retirement, Elorde, 49, died of lung cancer on Jan. 2, 1985, leaving behind a record of 89 wins, 27 losses and 2 draws—with 33 KOs.
And so, we ask again: When will Manny Pacquiao, 40, retire?
Money shouldn’t be an issue anymore as he’s got more than enough to carry him to even beyond five lifetimes.
Pride? Give me a break.