Pacquiao is no Kanye West; Don't confuse his big ambitions for a big ego

I'm going to have to disagree with those who say the Filipino icon has recently acquired a big ego. Manny Pacquiao may be stubborn, outgoing, gracious, fun-loving, gregarious all at times to a fault, but egotistical? Hell no bro. I mean, every man has some type of ego, but to say Pacquiao has a big ego, is simply a misguided opinion.

So to my fellow Examiner Matt Stolow, my apologies, but I don't know where to begin in pointing out how erroneous your observation is about Manny.

Kanye West has a big ego. Floyd Mayweather Jr. has a big ego. "Stunt-hard" high school kids have big egos. Manny Pacquiao? He got big ambitions.

I have been around Pacquiao, and most who have done the same will tell you a similar case. Pacquiao is by far one of the most humble and affable people you will ever meet. I can tell you about everyone I have spoken to, from writers, to other boxers, trainers and fans alike, say the exact same thing. Pacquiao is a great guy.

NOW, as much as I was disturbed just like the majority of Pacquiao fans out there with the way Pacquiao handled some of the things he did in Baguio as shown by HBO 24/7, it has nothing to do with his ego. Yes, he has come far. And yes with it are the many opportunities, temptations, distractions, hangers-on, bad advisers and all kinds of things you and me will never have to deal with until the day we die. Pacquiao did handle some things questionably but not in a way to serve his ego. He had other plans he wanted to work into the equation. You know, politics, his music, his crossover moves and double pump lay-ups, this and that, but that's for a different story on a different day. To make a long story short, as always, Manny wanted to hit ten birds with one stone. Which is why I wrote my article on how timing may be his biggest foe inside and outside the ring.

With all that said, I just got to say this as a tribute to the man who perhaps has one of the biggest egos the world knows of. "Matt Stolow I'm really happy for you and Imma' let you finish, but The White Gorilla has one of the best articles about Pacquiao of all time!".

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10947-Indianapolis-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m10d28-Pacquiao-is-no-Kanye-West