I used to hate boxing. I always thought it was a barbaric sport and I couldn’t understand two guys beating up each other and then calling it a sport. Nope, I never liked boxing. But then Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao came along, and now I am a fan.
The country is now celebrating Pacquiao’s recent victory over Juan Manuel Marquez. This was the third time that the two great boxers faced each other. The first one was in 2004 that resulted to a draw, though one of the judges admitted that he made a mistake in the scoring, and that Pacquiao should’ve won. The second was in 2008 when Pacquiao won via split decision. In a yet another much-awaited controversial fight yesterday, the Pacman bested Maquez via majority decision. (If you ask me, Pacquiao has found his match in Marquez; southpaw vs counter-punch.)
To us Filipinos, Pacquiao is a symbol of unity. Every Pacman fight means a drastic decrease in crime rate (the Philippine National Police recorded a zero crime rate in one of the fights), clear traffic (everyone is at home watching), and a nation united in praying for victory.
Pacquiao has become the nation’s hero. He is a great boxer, hence his title pound for pound king. He has incredible speed, strong southpaw punches and a mean right hook that is rarely seen in left-handed boxers (this was what got Ricky Hatton). He also made history by becoming the first boxer to win world titles in eight different divisions.
Boxing isn’t only what endears Pacquiao to Filipinos. He is deeply religious and this is quite obvious in all his fights. A devout Roman Catholic, he is always seen kneeling and praying before and after each fight. His mother does the same. She never watches the fight except for one time when Manny took her to the States. She rather confines herself in a room to pray the rosary for the whole duration of the fight. In all of Pacquiao’s interviews, he never forgets to thank the Lord and always attributes his success to Him. As a philanthropist, he is known for helping the poor. He believes in sharing the blessing that the Lord has given him. He is currently having a hospital built in Sarangani, the province he represents in congress. He hosts a game show and I have reasons to believe that the cash prizes he gives do not merely come from sponsors, but from his own pocket.
Success, fame, fortune, a charitable heart…Manny Pacquiao has it all. Or does he?
Manny Pacquiao has nothing if he doesn’t have Christ. His religiosity and good works do not earn him his salvation, nor with they give him genuine joy. What good is it to have everything that the world has to offer, but live without Christ? What is one’s goodness worth when in the presence of God they are but filthy rags? For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (Matt. 16:26) Christ is all. You have nothing if you do not have Christ. He and He alone is everything.
Tullian Tchividjian has a new book called Jesus + Nothing = Everything. But in this case, I would say it in reverse: Everything – Jesus = Nothing. Oh how I pray that our boxing hero will soon come into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I pray that the Lord will touch his heart that he will come to repentance and put his faith in Christ alone. Then and only then can we say that Manny Pacquiao has everything.
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Updated (Feb 18):
Manny Pacquiao has already given his life to the Lord. He and his family are said to be attending New Life Christian Center and are being discipled by Ptr. Jeric Soriano. Praise God for that!
