WHEN will Manny Pacquiao hang his gloves? The lesson in his recent fight with Ugas should be his wake up call. Money, influence and fame are already tucked in his belt. I remember he was so bloodied when he jetted to Brisbane, Australia to fight a non-marquee fighter, Jeff Horn. Pacquiao was beaten in that fight. Remember when wife Jinkee hysterically climbed the ring crying when Manny went to dreamland after he was strongly met by a sneaky counter punch by his tocayo Manuel Marquez?
Despite that humiliating defeat from the Cuban fighter, “he is still our hero,” chorused many of us. No boxer in history was able to achieve what he accomplished. Awarded the championship belts in eight division. From Kid Kulafu to Pacman. A toast of Las Vegas. He embarrassed Golden Boy De la Hoya, Antonio Margarito, Marco Barrera, Miguel Cotto, Timothy Bradley, Ricky Hatton and many other known ring greats, that’s why he will remain in the hearts of every sport loving Filipinos.
Looking back on his life, he was 16 years old and was Kid Kulafu then. Just as he survived the difficulties and harsh realities of life, the same to this nation which to this day still surviving and getting browbeating from the uncaring leaders who embraced kleptocracy, running around with their stolen money and dancing with joy when there are a lot more Kid Kulafus in many parts of the archipelago trying to search their place in the sun. The corrupts are dancing and running around Mayweather style. Mostly they are in barongs and coats. Driving luxurious cars and maintain mansions.
Manny Pacquiao's journey in the boxing world may have to end sometime. And maybe, the Cuban was the answer for him to hang his gloves and pursue other goals aside from politics. As they say all good things never last. He was once a preacher. He loved quoting verses in the Bible. He might not have read some teachings that too much is bad for anyone. He became over ambitious. When he had the money, he bought a house in North a Forbes Park in Makati, an enclave of the richest people in the country, wherein he wasn’t even much welcome. He gifted the wife all those pricey bags like Prada or Louis Vuitton.
He became a recording artist, a movie star, a playing coach and a senator. That wasn’t enough for him. He wanted to become president of our republic. Oh My God (OMG). Sobra na Manny, Tama na. Remain the nice, kind, generous and ordinary Emmanuel Pacquiao, son of Aling Dionisia Because from where you started, it was way way down there. But like an eagle you soared so high that the whole world took notice. When will enough is enough for you?