Catholic Lightweight Boxer, Pacman Pacquio, Poised to Win

“Pacman” Manny Pacquia, a Filipino lightweight Boxer will be competing tomorrow at Nevada. Wikipedia states that “he is a very devout Roman Catholic. Pacquiao wears a rosary into the ring and insists on having a crucifix present in the gym where he trains. One trademark of his boxing career is his kneeling and praying for victory facing his corner before and after each fight.” Pacquio has a generous heart for charity giving.

Pacman got his nickname because of his left-hand technique of “gobbling” up his opponents.  He has great speed.  His rivals do not see the “knock out” punches coming for them.  His upcoming game with De la Hoya is seen as a mismatch. De La Hoya is taller and bigger than him.  It is seen as a David and Goliath match.

However,  there is one formidable advantage in his belt.  He is training under  Coach Freddie Roach.  Freddie Roach was trained by  Eddie  Futch.  Eddie Futch trained 4 men who beat Mohammed Ali and other Hall of Fame boxers. Thus, we expect some strategies  to be carried out for this fight.

From humble beginnings, he has been known to drop out of school at 12. He sold cigarettes on the street to earn a living, a common scene in the streets of the Philippines.

It is said that there will be “zero” crime in the Philippines tomorrow because everyone will be watching this fight.

When interviewed if he has a special amulet to make him perform his best, he said “I don’t have an amulet. What I know is that God gives gifts to people. And He gave me the gift of a strong punch. I will use it to give glory to Him.”

Bo Sanchez, in his blog, wrote that Pacman  reminds him of “Eric Liddell, the Olympic champion sprinter, said, “God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure…” (You can watch this inspiring story in the true-to-life movie, Chariots of Fire”.

Pacman’s offering of his tournaments for the glory of God reminds me of  my oldest son.    He wanted to go into wrestling at sixth grade.  I refused and did not support him at all.  First of all because I have  no knowledge about this sport.  But, he persevered.  He is on the same weight class as Pacquio.  He had a dream to be a great wrestler.   One day, he  decided to offer his matches to God. He knelt on the mat and made the sign of the cross and prayed before his matches.  Being in the bible belt, he was ridiculed and taunted on this strange practice.  He did not let these get to his nerves.  The same year, from being an unknown and unranked, he zoomed to State Finals.  He went to State Finals the next year.  See video here.

and here is another one:

But, now in college, he lost his momentum.  He got distracted and lost focus of his goal.   He went into the secular notion of being the best because you have the talents and skills.  It is easy to believe, one can do  it by himself.  Along the way, he forgot that God gave him a special purpose.  When this happens to a boy,  he goes to a road of searching  of “who he really is and who does he want to become? ”  If only he would focus back to the One who gave him this gift and ask Him,  How do you want to use me now, My Lord?” 

As we hope for a victory for Pacman Pacquio, I  have requested all my Catholic friends to pray for him.  There are many athletes with no purpose in their endeavor.   They end up with a few medals and a meaningless life.  

I pray for what Pacman Pacquio represents “an acknowledgement of  God’s gift and giving it back to Him the  glory.”  May God’s glory be proclaimed forever and ever.

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