In seven rounds, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao regained his glory, taking the world welterweight title from Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse by technical knockout yesterday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
It was Pacquiao’s 11th world title and his first knockout win since 2009. It was also an impressive comeback from his disappointing defeat at the hands of little known Australian Jeff Horn in Brisbane last year. There were concerns that Pacquiao, who turns 40 in five months, was already past his prime.
His win dramatically dispelled such concerns. Still, the king of the ring won’t live forever. President Duterte, who watched the game in Kuala Lumpur together with Malaysian officials led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, expressed a sentiment that is increasingly shared even by Pacquiao’s loyal fans: it’s time for the champion to consider hanging up his gloves.
And it’s time for sports officials to begin developing the next generation of Filipino boxers. This is one sport where even boys from low-income families who suffer from undernourishment stand a chance of competing with the best in the world – but only if they get sufficient training and support. Boxing is the sport where the country has a good chance of bagging its first gold medal in the Olympic Games.
Sports officials should scout for potential boxing champions not only for international competitions such as the Olympics but also for professional boxing, which is where Pacquiao has shone. Documentaries about his spectacular career credit foreign coaches and training environment for allowing him to realize his full potential in his sport.
It shouldn’t prove impossible for Philippine officials to develop that kind of rigorous, disciplined and efficient training for budding Filipino boxers. Pacquiao himself may want to give back by sharing his training secrets to develop a new generation of champions.
Once again, the Philippines is rejoicing over Manny Pacquiao’s win. He can serve the nation further by doing his part in ensuring that Philippine boxing glory does not fade away with him.
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