The Pacquiao Phenomenon

A few years ago, when Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao was making waves in the boxing world, he was uniquely labeled by one of the most respected boxing analysts in the Ring Magazine as "the most exciting fighter in the planet". Although non-traditional as it may seem, the label was very much appropriate and fits perfectly if you have the idea that boxing is iunder the category of the entertainment industry. This sport has evolved into such eversince gladiators started fighting up for their precious but wasted lives inside the Coliseum.

The definition was once again confirmed by the debates made by the analysts and boxing afficionados from around the globe about who's the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Currently, Pacquiao holds this lofty title. I concur with Kevin of Yahoo! Sports why Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not. Floyd may have everything Manny has except for one thing - the "thrill" factor. Pacquiao draws attention and when he fights, he keeps one on his toes.

Against the bigwigs, against the high elite of the sports, against the great handicap of race and skin color, against all odds, Pacquiao managed to be at the driver's seat of boxing sports. Immediately after unleashing that lightning-fast cracking left straight that sent London Bridge Hatton falling face down for goodnight sleep, Bob Arum said, "There has never been a fighter of the same combination of power and speed like Pacquiao's."

Paquiao's size, power and looks are unassuming and unbelievable. Literally unbelievable for the other champion boxers they all wanted to test the veracity of his giftedness. And they all fell into the trap, painfully and shamefully. They were all decimated - Morales, Barrera, Marquez, Dela Hoya, Diaz, Hatton and many more non-believers to come. I remember the words of the first United Nations Secretary General Carlos P. Romulo, a Filipino, when he was belittled by a European Head of State whose demeaning words were, "Your'e just a little man from a little country!" Romulo replied, "It is the duty of the little Davids of this world to fling the stone into the eyes of blistering Goliaths!" Pacquiao is today's little David.