Pacquiao vs Marquez: Pacman Still Not Getting the Respect He Deserves

It’s not Manny Pacquiao’s fault Floyd Mayweather doesn’t want to fight him.

As Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Pac-man part three approaches, people still are talking about why the potential fight of the decade isn’t happening.

Despite Pac-man’s dominance over the years, it seems like people still aren’t giving him the respect he deserves.

Despite a tireless work ethic, a charming personality and squeaky-clean background, Manny is not considered on the same level as other super-athletes such as LeBron James and Tom Brady in the United States.

Sure he lives in the Philippines and only comes to the U.S. to train in California and fight in Las Vegas, but that’s a stupid excuse. All of his major fights are on American television.

The way he can hit you with a left-right combo at lighting fast speeds is an athletic spectacle not seen in any other sport. His ability to take the big punch and provide a lightning quick counter makes watching him a pure delight.

Yet even if he dominates Marquez once and for all, the excuses will keep pouring in.

“Marquez is old.”

“Manny already beat him.”

“Marquez isn’t on the same level as Mayweather.”

Stop with the nonsense.

We are currently in the midst of greatness and all need to sit back and enjoy it for what it is. He doesn’t need to fight Mayweather to prove he’s one of the greatest welterweight fighters of all time.

Pac-man, a congressman in the Philippines, is as a unique an athlete as we have today in sports. He realizes the impact he has on his people and does everything in his power to help out.

Pounding opponents is just his side job.

I’ll leave you with a quote from Associated Press writer Tim Dahlberg, who sums it up very well:    

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In a sport where common sense doesn’t always prevail, though, maybe it’s time to stop worrying about who Pacquiao hasn’t fought and appreciate who he is.

 

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