Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

"It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle." – Norman Schwarzkopf

HISTORY tells it that every victor of epic battles was declared a hero.

In the realm of sports, the name Manny Pacquiao rises among all others, a modern hero indeed, but without a formal avowal.

Manny Pacquiao is not a typical boxer who appears at the ring just to be a mere fighter. With him, in his every encounter, is a lifelong dream – to herald nationality and honor, to manifest pride and courage, and to wave the Philippine flag proudly with his countrymen all over the world.

As the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Pacquiao never ceases to deliver fight after fight. The gritty yet humble boxer continues his onslaught of knockouts and success against many established contenders.

November 14 is yet another highlight in this great Pinoy boxer’s career as he is set to face another formidable opponent in the person of Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao will clash against the Puerto Rican combatant in a 12-round rumble for Cotto’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title and the first-ever World Boxing Council (WBC) Diamond Belt.

Months of training and preparation will now boil down to one night. Both men will stand toe-to-toe at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. The battle between two champions will be a deciding moment – will it prolong Pacquiao’s boxing champ regime or begin a historic chapter for Cotto?

Cotto is formidable and is perhaps the top fighter in the welterweight division right now. Although not favored to win; Cotto may put a halt to Pacquiao’s winning streak. Experts have described him as one of the sport’s most technically-sound fighter. He has defeated "fast boxers" in the past. His fighting style and impeccable timing might allow him to challenge Pacquiao’s immovable fighting spirit and untamed punching power.

Win or lose, Pacquiao will remain in the hearts of Pinoys around the world as the greatest Filipino pugilist and a glorious hero of the masses. He has already won in so many ways even before the fight begins and should be afforded a hero’s welcome. (AJPress)

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published November 14, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A12 )