PACman(FOCUS)

Manny “PacMan’’ Pacquiao(WBC International Super Featherweight Champion), the most phenomenal, charismatic boxer the Philippines had ever produced and probably the number 1 pound for pound pugilist in the world today. Through his matches his divided nation unites transcending political and social beliefs, giving him the moniker “Pambansang Kamao” (National Fist) and “People’s Champ”. His rise and fame came when he faced some of the world class Mexican fighters Marco Antonio Barrera,Juan Manuel Marquez and boxing hall of famer Erik “El Terrible” Morales and beating the latter twice thus making him one of the country’s pop icon.
This coming April 18, he will face an undefeated Mexican fighter Jorge Solis in San Antonio, Texas. Another bout in Pacquiao’s mind is whether he will enter another arena this time not a boxing but politics in his native land Gen.Santos City which he will run as a congressman facing the incumbent solon Darlene Antonino-Custodio.Whether he will enter the filthy and dirty world of politics, I think by this time he should focus on his forthcoming match and start training and should not underestimate his opponent though Solis may not be in his caliber as a fighter.
Political wise, Manny told the media that he wanted to run to help his countrymen. But in my personal opinion, with the money he acquired through his boxing career, record deals, TV and movie appearances and product endorsements he can surely serve not only the locals of the city but also the a national program for Philippine Boxing or sports in general even without gunning on a political position and also not giving in to the woos of some politicians. By this time I think “People’s Champ” should put his act together by starting to train not in the Philippines but overseas because there are a lot of distractions in his own country. With barely 40 days to go there is only very ample time to prepare against this upcoming unbeaten Latino fighter. And the bottom line is if Pacquiao wants to stay on top of his game and uniting the country whenever he fights inside the squared circle he should put his political aspiration aside ,fix his contract dispute with Oscar de la Joya's Golden Boy Promotions and Bob Arum's HBO and even stop endorsing political bets both on local and national level because sports and politics don’t jibe and stay away from other worldly distractions it will divide the people who look up to him or it will be the beginning of the end .Eventually political life can come later because he is still very young and at his prime. IMO

**On February 24, 2007 in Cebu City, Pacquiao, for the first time ever, was booed by thousands of spectators as his presence was acknowledged by the organizers of “The Battle of Cebu”, a WBO sanctioned boxing festival . **