| Manny Pacquiao: The Fighting Pride of Asia |
 We are all familiar with Manny Pacquiao as the “fighting pride of the Philippines” but the pound for pound king of boxing has had a huge impact putting Asia back on the boxing map. Manny Pacquiao’s influence has transcended the sport throughout Asia these past few years since he has become this unstoppable boxing force to be reckoned with. Boxing was first introduced to Asia from the west since the early 1900’s and became very popular. The first Asian to win a world champion in the states was the great Filipino fighter Pancho Villa who won the flyweight title championship in 1923 and another Filipino great Gabriel Flash Elorde in the 1960’s. Other great Asian fighters have followed such as Japan’s first great champion, Masahiko “Fighting” Harada in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Thailand’s greatest boxer, Khaosai Galaxy then stormed the boxing world by holding the title of world junior bantamweight champion from 1984 to 1991. Finally in the 2000’s and beyond, it was Manny Pacquiao’s heroic victories in four out of five title belts that has once again put the continent of Asia back into the annals of boxing history.Pacman’s influence in the boxing world is absolutely enormous in Asia. Many young Asian boys and girls has develop a new fond interest for boxing after seeing one of their own run through the gauntlet picking up one championship title belts after another. In China, McDonald is not the only thing growing in popularity as many Chinese fans cheered wildly when Manny Pacquiao walked down the parade of nations in Olympics while holding the Filipino flag. Pacquiao was selected to become an ambassador to the Beijing Olympics and has rocketed in popularity among Chinese boxing fans. Manny was also featured in a Nike commercial with Kobe Bryant and China’s mega track and field star Liu Xiang. There are no doubts that Manny Pacquiao is a well known figure in Thailand, a country where boxing is already a very popular sport. Thai boxing fans know Manny Pacquiao very well since he has defeated six out of seven Thai fighters along his way to ultimate glory and popularity in Thailand. You would think that Thai’s would despise him, but a country that has seen Pac Man knockout six of their countrymen has nothing but utter respect for the world champ. They should probably rename Manny Pacquiao the Thaicutioner along with his already famous Mexicutioner. Japan and South Korea as well are no strangers to the name Manny Pacquiao. The king of the ring has defeated three Koreans and two Japanese boxers with devastating early rounds knockouts. Pacquiao made a name for himself when he made extended promotional tours in both of these Asian commercial and media giants. Beyond just what Manny Pacquiao has done for boxing, his humanitarian work throughout Asia is remarkable for just a single man. During the devastating Tsunamis that rocked and devastated many Asian countries, Pac Man was there to commit millions to help restore the neighborhoods most affected by the flooding from the Tsunami’s aftermath. He has donated millions of dollars not only to feed the poor in the Philippines but throughout Asia. Many Asians throughout Asia and the Asians all over the world are proud that one of their own has reigned to fame by fighting through childhood poverty, and thus shattering continuing doubts that Asia will never produce another great Asian fighter. Manny Pacquiao pursued his dream by becoming a champion in the world wide sport of boxing and along the way has sprouted new dreams for many young Asians to take up the sport as a way to proudly represent the Asian communities in the United States and all throughout Asia. Manny Pacquiao, through relentless hard work and dedication to excellence has earned himself the title “The Fighting Pride of Asia”; next stop “The World.” |