5 things other boxers can learn from Manny Pacquiao

Aside from invoking God in prayers before and after each fight, boxers can learn from the best boxer of our time... Manny Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao’s Guide to Repeatedly Punching a Guy in the Face, Like a Gentleman

First, be a renaissance man.
Manny Pacquiao, congressman of the Sarangani district of the Philippines, is also an actor and singer, as well as the only boxer ever to win titles in eight different weight divisions. On November 13, he added that eighth title when he beat Mexican super-welterweight Antonio Margarito.



Second, be much smaller than the other guy.
Pacquiao gave Margarito six inches in height and reach, and weighed in at 147 pounds compared to Margarito’s 160.

Third, be faster and tougher.
Pacquiao dominated the larger man with his speed and persistence. He landed more than 470 punches in the fight and opened cuts above and below Margarito’s right eye and below his left eye.

Fourth, be a gentleman.
What separates Pacquiao from other fighters, aside from his quickness and stamina, is his sportsmanship.

After the tenth round, Margarito had no offense left. He couldn’t even see. Pacquiao’s trainer told him to knock out Margarito, but Pacquiao refused. That refusal, according to FoxSports‘ Mark Kreigel, is just “more evidence of his greatness.”

Pacquaio spent the last few rounds hesitating and avoiding Margarito. He even asked the referee to stop the fight so Margarito wouldn’t suffer further injury. When the fight was over, reporters asked Pacquiao why he laid off. He replied, “Boxing was not for killing.”

Margarito went straight to the hospital, where doctors determined that he had a broken orbital bone that would require surgery. Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach thinks the other fighter’s corner “should be arrested… Their job is to protect the fighter. They let him take a beating.”

Back home, Pacquiao’s fellow legislators were proud, not just of Pacquiao’s success, but of the manner in which he achieved it. Representative Elmer Panotes said, “Even in the ring, Manny showed a high level of sportsmanship and gentleness when he signaled the referee to stop the fight as soon as it became clear that Margarito has become helpless and could not fight squarely.”

Fifth, celebrate by putting on a show.
What was next for the Fightin’ Filipino Congressman? He spent a couple of days nursing injuries, and then he performed a concert at Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe. Even Muhammad Ali never did that.

[source: Michael Josephson]