Pacman

Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao came to be known as Pacman as much for the catchiness of this play on words on his name as it is in reference to that video game character notorious for eating up everything that crosses its path. Early on in his storied career, Pacquiao almost literally ate up every opponent that dared cross mitts with him.

On Sunday in Kuala Lumpur, Pacquiao, now a Philippine senator, climbs the ring once more against Argentinian welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse. Pacquiao will be the challenger for the title he once held but lost to Australian Jeff Horn. But to most Filipinos, as well as to boxing fans around the world, this fight is not about the Pacman winning the title again or failing to.

The more likely question on the minds of everyone following this fight is whether Pacquiao still has what it takes to keep on fighting, a profession he obviously is very reluctant to give up despite his age (39 going 40) and his now being deeply involved in the politics of his country (some say he might eventually seek the presidency).

To be sure, other irrepressible practitioners of the sport have made great comebacks at even more advanced ages with astounding success, although this fight can hardly be called a comeback as Pacquiao never really left the sport. He simply got busy with his other endeavors.

This fight is not even a quest for glory. Pacquiao is and remains the only boxer in history to win eight different world titles in as many different weight divisions. Given the present crop of boxers out there, it is a feat that is very difficult to match, much less exceed.

In all likelihood, that record will forever remain etched in the annals of boxing history. The legacy of Pacquiao and his contribution to the sport will forever remain secure. So why does Pacquiao keep on fighting? Certainly it is not the money even if he does still get to earn tons of it.

Perhaps the reason why Pacquiao still fights is that he is simply a fighter. That is just the way he is. Boxing is what made him who he is. So maybe the question, as much as it is for boxing fans as it is for Pacquiao himself, is whether there is still a life of boxing for Pacquiao after this.

It is not whether he wins or loses. He, along with his fans, have seen their fair share of both eventualities as they traversed together his path from anonymity to boxing immortality. It is about the story of one boxing life and whether there are still enough words to continue on to one more chapter or whether the story, as all stories do, must come to an end.

‘Perhaps the reason WHY PACQUIAO STILL fiGHTS IS THAT HE IS SIMPLY A fiGHTER. THAT IS just the way he is. Boxing is what made him who he is.’