Whether you like it or not, more people may well be watching this coming 3rd fight between two of boxing's great names and nemesis, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12, 2011.
Who knows, this may probably be their last concluding fight against each other and many boxing fans may be wanting to see this to compare how Floyd Mayweather, Jr. may find himself fighting Manny Pacquiao on the ring, the same way many have tried comparing their fights with common opponents such as Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Shane Mosley.
Who fared better against these great boxers has become obvious, but you may well see how Manny and Floyd approach life as you try to see and make an analysis of their reactions before and after each of these fights.
While one prefers to be low-keyed and more humble, the other seems to be more comfortable being more vocal and aggressive. And who gets into trouble most of the times?
And as I have noticed, Manny Pacquiao now fights at an entirely different level compared to his previous fights with Marquez, when he was still struggling timing his punches and movements as against the more scientifically adept and analytically skilled Juan Manuel Marquez. The wily Marquez carefully studies his opponent's strengths and weaknesses and uses effective counter punches usually hitting their marks, and this same feat and style by the way, he shares with Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
If you too agree, nevertheless, Manny Pacquiao has improved much since he started using his well studied and well earned scientific skills of fighting under the meticulous eye and style of boxing's hall of famer, Freddie Roach.
And these skills were first used in November 2006 when Manny Pacquiao fought Erik Morales for the third time. That was when Morales only lasted for three rounds unlike their previous fights, the first going through the whole distance of 12 rounds with Manny losing that fight, and the second one going through 10 rounds with Morales losing by a technical knockout and the referee had to stop the fight.
From then, Manny garnered more confidence inside the ring. He faced his opponents more unafraid with relentless and more accurate attacks, with more fluid and well synchronized movements quickly pivoting left or right to better confuse his adversaries, used stunning punches from both hands, and carefully timed combinations which usually found their marks more than before.
Floyd Mayweather may have seen this marked improvement on Pacquiao and this may have influenced his seemingly reluctant stance. And he seems content where he is now as he may appear happier preserving his unblemished win loss record which for him, perhaps, may have been earning him more money despite earning some ridicule on the sides from his critics and from those wanting to challenge him to go get his acts done and face Manny.
Pacquiao may not want to compare his fights with well known boxers whom Mayweather defeated, but one may not help but compare the difference over how they fared well against Floyd Mayweather as against Manny Pacquiao.
Simple deductions may become conclusive for many, but still, "there is nothing compared to the real fight happening between the two."
And Mayweather, in one way or the other, is able to swing many of his fans believing and routing for him despite the perceived weakness in his stance.
And as one may conjecture, "but is he really worth his name and his pride?"
Manny's humility, on the other hand, is so profound in above interview with Fight Hype's Ben Thompson, telling everybody that he does not want to compare his fights and that he enjoys seeing people entertained and happy as he does his fights, and praying that nobody gets hurt.
In boxing, no doubt, people get hurt, and Manny has shown a lot of self-control and discipline in his previous fights as he has tried pulling his punches as he deemed it necessary, and he made a few signs to the referee whenever he felt the other boxer may just be unwisely exposing himself to greater danger, and the referee or the boxer's team needed to stop the fight.
Manny's compassion in these instances have been seen to be as big as his heart. No wonder he has earned the respect of many people around the world with his different approach to life and to people around him.
He may be bigger in name and fame, but his humility, compassion and concern for others is what makes him greater, as this is what makes a man true to himself and to his Creator, as he learns to accept his weakness, and strives improve himself and inspires others to do the same.
Many times, it has been proven how foolish pride can kill, not only in boxing, but in everyday life.
It is only when we are able to attune ourselves to God's words of love, forgiveness, humility and compassion that we become a better person in this life.
Manny Pacquiao rightly puts it when he said, there is 'nothing personal' on this fight, despite an openly defiant Juan Manuel Marquez claiming on his t-shirt during their fight campaign trail in Manila that he won their last two fights.
The official score card for the two is one draw and one win in Pacquiao's favor, with Marquez quickly recovering using with great counter punches from three knockdowns in the first round of their first bout granting him the referee's favor for a draw. This same referee later admitted he messed up with the draw decision, the three knockdowns should have at least given Pacquiao this upperhand on points. Thus came the rematch. And now, soon to happen, the third exciting match long awaited by both parties' fans.
All boxing fans, trainers, promoters and boxers eager to see how well these two fighters say they are worth their claim may as well watch this fight, and see how they may fare with boxing's P4P King.
And for me, Manny made a remarkable view of a sportsman, one who is there to entertain people while loving what he does best, not to hate, begrudge or create a division.
Win or lose in any match, the humble Manny Pacquiao professing the greatness and power of our Almighty God and Father in the love of others, for me, is already a winner.
In Matthew 23:11-12, Jesus Christ said to the crowd with his disciples, "The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
[Read on our post: "Understanding God in Spirit and Christ's Saving Light," to help enlighten as it is meant to be shared.]
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