By Larry Limcangco
The last time I wrote an article on Manny Pacquiao, it was warning the fans not to believe his words of bringing the old Pacman back. Everything I said came true, he was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez. That article was written in 2012 (Here) right before his fourth fight with Marquez and I still haven’t seen any change in Manny’s approach since that loss.
He has become a pastor and part time politician/boxer. I don’t know why boxing fans still hang on to the belief that the old Pacquiao will some how be back. That ferocious Pacman is no longer here, if you look at his Facebook and Instagram pages everything is about religion, he has even went as far to say that Floyd Mayweather Jr is his brother in Christ and as you all know Pacquiao is a born again Christian willing to invite Mayweather to a bible study after May 2.
These are not the type of things that give a Pacquiao fan confidence. Boxers shouldn’t bring religion into boxing, how dare Manny believe that God favors him over his apparent brother in Christ? To me this is blasphemy. As a Christian, we should pray in private and shouldn’t brag and boast to the world, we should let our actions speak for themselves. If you are a good Christian you shouldn’t have to repeat it every single day to everyone it makes you seem insecure. There are plenty of good Christians who don’t go around boasting and bragging the way Manny does. I hope Pacquiao doesn’t become one of those loud greedy wolf in sheep clothing Prosperity preachers who use religion to live lavish by asking their parishioners for tithes and donations so they can fly in a private jet that cost millions. The reason I say this is because he has given us the sucker line of “I will bring back the old Manny” to lure the fans in to pay for his fights by giving us false promises and hope that he will fight hard and bring the old Manny back, its like he only said that to get us to buy his Pay-Per-View. That is dishonest to lie to the fans and promise you will give us the old ferocious finisher but to just box to a decision knowing full well you are going to get paid millions win or lose.
Here are a few excerpts from the Sermon on the Mount that Manny should practice:
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Source)
If Pacquiao is serious about the fight with Floyd Mayweather, then he will need to leave the religion outside the ring and focus on destroying Mayweather inside. I have no more confidence in Pacquiao, he has said countless times that he will deliver an action fight only to go easy on his opponents and show mercy. If he cares about being a good Christian, then why may I ask is he in such a violent sport like boxing? If Manny Pacquiao really cared about the boxing fans and his legacy he would train hard and show no mercy on Mayweather come May 2, but we all know how the fight will play out, Pacquiao will just walk forward and get countered with right hands by Floyd.
From all this talk it seems like he is already prepared to lose and hand the fight so he can help convert Floyd Mayweather after the fight. If Pacquiao comes to fight and gives his all against Mayweather, he will shock me and I will admit I was wrong, but it is highly unlikely given his track record of false promises.
