Manny Pacquiao Meet Joe Louis

He's the Pound for Pound King of the world. The only eight division champion in the history of the sport. His entrance into the International Boxing Hall of Fame is an open and shut case. Manny Pacquiao is an all time great. To call the newly elected congressman the pride of the Philippines is a severe understatement. Manny Pacquiao is a national treasure. When an entire nation ceases to function for the sole purpose of tuning into your fights you are what history will deem an icon. The little man from a poor town in General Santos is the kind of life story epic Hollywood films are made of. The ultimate rags to riches story. A near mythical tale of hard scrabble, hard work, and stirring victories. The little superman who fought through eight divisions, Flyweight (106lbs.) to Jr. Middleweight (156lbs.) stands on top of the boxing world. A symbol of Asia as the new super power through out the world.

 Fascinating how history repeats itself. Not too long ago as America was ascending the pedestal of leadership  of the free world, Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis symbolized that very dominance. He still holds the all time record for title defenses of any champion, in any weight division, with twenty five. Like Pacquiao the entire nation, most notably during the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, stood spellbound when Louis laced up the gloves. No community was more riveted than the African American community. Entire neighborhoods would convene around the radio to hear the blow by blow commentary. Every punch he threw was for them, a thrust of hope. They were the second class citizens whose labor and patriotism, though intricate and vital to the very foundation of the United States of America, found their contributions and humanity vehemently and systematically betrayed on a daily basis. They were the forgotten ones, yet, through him, if only for a moment, they were clearly seen and they mattered. So it is with the poor boy from General Santos, Philippines. Through him Filippinos the world over, particularly the out cast and the have nots, for which there are many, are invited to witness the best of themselves. His victories are their thrust of hope, they're moment of exaltation before the world. And thus, the true wonder  and appeal of the squared circle, justice. Between those ropes everyone, rich or poor, Black or White are on leveled ground. Between those ropes everyone has a chance. If only our reality were so.

 Louis and Pacquiao have occupancy in a very fine and distinguished class of athletes who have accomplished that rare feet in sport of not merely transcending their occupation, but, more importantly becoming socio-political symbols in the process. Better still the Pac Man is keenly aware of that symbolism and what it means to the many who support him; and like Louis, he possesses the courage to embrace it. In other words, he knows being an active role model comes with the packege and that I believe is what we call character. A trait, like the great Joe Louis, which will certainly endear him long after he hangs up the gloves.

© 2010