Enough!
I’ve heard this “next Manny Pacquiao” label once too many times already.
No.
Nonito Donaire Jr. will or can never replicate Manny Pacquiao’s achievements. I don’t care whether Bernabe Concepcion ends up being a champ in 10 divisions or whether AJ Banal or Mark Melligen blossom into superstar world champions in the future- none of them will ever be the “next Pacquiao”. Stealing one from the Brits, allow me to sing “There’s only one Manny Pacquiao!!!”
It’s about time we outgrew our search for Pacman’s predecessor- we will never find him.
As far as I’m concerned, “the next Pacquiao” was Bobby, and that’s because he’s younger than Manny.
It’s time for Pinoy boxing fans to mature and move forward from our Pacquiao infatuation. Pacquiao probably has 2-3 fights left, and by no means I’m saying Pinoy fans should start abandoning their idol, what I’m trying to say however is that Filipino boxing is no one-trick pony. It’s time to fully appreciate the rest Pinoy boxing has to offer instead of comparing every decent boxer that is enjoying some form of success to Pacquiao.
As absurd as it may sound to some die-hard Pacquiao fans, let me remind one and all that Pacquiao is a product of Philippine boxing; Philippine boxing isn't a product of Manny Pacquiao.
Pinoy Power 2 was a monumental step in the right direction.
Just like how Michael Jordan helped propel the NBA and the sport of basketball in general to what it is today, Pacquiao’s contributions to Philippine boxing can never ever be matched. Even Jordan had the likes of Julius Erving and Jerry West before him similar to how Pacquiao has the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde. Pacquiao took Philippine boxing to a whole new level, but in able for it to keep growing and continue the success it is enjoying at the moment while Pacquiao is still on top of the Boxing food chain, fans need to start appreciating our other fighters for who they are.
Like how there will never be another Michael Jordan, there will also never be another Manny Pacquiao. What I can guarantee you however is that because of the inspiration Pacquiao has given his nation, I am certain, just as how MJ inspired a generation of Kobes, LeBrons, Carmelos and Dwyane Wades, Philippine boxing will continue to produce world class boxing talents.
Pacquiao’s inevitable retirement from the sport will definitely be devastating to Pinoy boxing fans, but with the likes of Donaire, Brian Viloria, Banal, Melligen and a lot of other future boxing Kobes and LeBrons who have yet to be given their breaks to this date, (and I tell you they are out there somewhere, perhaps selling stolen cigarettes in Manila or planting rice in some field in the Visayas just waiting to be discovered) and as certain as the Philippines remain a third-world country filled with dreamers trying to find a way out of poverty, Pinoy boxing is here to stay.
Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10947-Indianapolis-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m8d19-Like-Jordan-there-will-never-be-another-Pacquio-but-being-Kobe-or-LeBron-isnt-so-bad
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