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NAM Round Table
The NAM Round Table consists of news, insights, visions, ramblings and rants from the writers at New America Media.
[ filed under: sports race-relations ] Race fades to non- issue in big fight Dubbed the “dream fight,” this December 6, 2008 marked one of the most anticipated boxing matches in recent history – pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao versus the sports golden boy, Oscar De La Hoya. The fight was, quite unexpected to most, a drubbing. Pacquiao, the smaller fighter, who was not favored going into the fight, handily destroyed the larger and older, De La Hoya, forcing a stoppage going into the ninth round. It was a mauling. It was like watching two video game players where one guy plays all the time, and the other guy is still trying to figure out what buttons do what. VIDEO: De La Hoya v.s Pacquiao And while American boxing as a sport is clearly seeing the end of an era, having witnessed two of its largest stars go down hard to overseas fighters (De La Hoya to the Filipino Pacquiao and Roy Jones, Jr. to Wales’ Joe Calzaghe), this recent fight also showed a marked difference in the way the public reacted to the ethnic tension that surrounds the fight game. Boxing has historically played upon racial tension as a way to sell the fight, and while it tried once again this round, the public didn’t take the bait. In the visceral, politically incorrect, raw reality of boxing, best believe that reactions are not screened. People do and say what they feel. But despite every opportunity for this fight to be regarded as Latino versus Filipino, fight fans moved beyond the expected animosity. Beamed into homes across the country, it was more viewed as a fight between the old generation (De La Hoya) and the future (Pacquiao), battling for the ever elusive present. Political pundits may hold stock in Americans voting for a black president to deem us a “post-racial” society, but the real indicator of progress is what happens when we see two men of different backgrounds pummel each other in a ring. Manny Pacquiao is an enormous star in the Philippines. Think Ali, Jordan, Britney Spears and Obama rolled into one. On days he fights, incidents of crime stop in the Philippines. Not drop, stop. At the Pacquiao- De La Hoya fight, the vice president of the Philippines was in Pacquiao’s entourage. Having beaten Mexico’s legendary fighters, Marco Antonio Barrera and Eric Morales, Pacquiao stepped into the ring with De La Hoya, who promoters dubbed the “Mexicutioner.” Pacquioa is, what San Jose writer and native Filipino Charisse Domingo called, “the physical expression of our psyche.” In a show of how complicated racial stereotyping can be, some fight fans posted blogs with the question, “Is Pacquiao a Mexican fighter?” And people actually debated this. The conversation was based on the assumed link between ethnicity and fighting style. Pacquiao’s physically aggressive style was typical of what was thought as the style of Mexican fighters. Indeed, Mexican fans for Pacquiao were coming out in droves as the fight approached. Even Mexican boxing icon, Julio Cesar Chavez (who De La Hoya had beaten previously), was said to be a Pacquiao fan. But if Pacquiao was the Mexican fighter, who then, was De La Hoya? Oscar De La Hoya himself shows the ever-changing landscape of racial pride and prejudice. Raised in East LA and the child of immigrants, De La Hoya captured an Olympic gold medal for the United States, and went on to win championship belt after championship belt in the pros. But the Mexican-American hero was cast in a different light when he fought other Mexican fighters. When he fought Chavez, for example, he was viewed not as Mexican. When he fought Fernando Vargas, Vargas said that he was the true spirit of Latinos in the United States, and De La Hoya was just a “pretty boy.” Yet when De La Hoya fought previous pound-for-pound king, African-American Floyd Mayweather, Jr. last year, the fight was unabashedly billed as a fight between America’s black and Mexican populations. They even had the fight on Cinco de Mayo to add more fuel to the fire. Mayweather, ever the showman, came out wearing shorts with the colors of the Mexican flag, and sporting a sombrero. On the night the he lost to Mayweather, De La Hoya was Mexican enough to fans. This time around boxing promoters expected to profit from the beginning of a new racial feud between Filipinos and Latinos. But just as boxing is in a new place, the country is as well. As I heard people talk about the fight the next day, they debated whether Oscar was too old or Manny too fast. During the post-fight analysis, what was noticeably different was how the topic of race did not come up. Boxing often times can be about issues that exist outside of the ring, but race, at least on that night of the “dream fight,” was not one of them. comments |
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a filipino reporter who is a delahoya supporter, publicised a news that delahoya sold the fight to pacman, due to public opinion that it wasmismatched. loslos kaayo og otok no.
By adolfo tigley · Posted on Dec 8, 08:26 PMYeah there is a probability that manny has a mexican blood..everyone may not notice that during spanish colonization of the philippines and during the galeon trade..there was a free, open business and social inter-action among the mexican and filipino traders during those times of which some mexican traders had married local filipina of spanish descent.
By Jouie · Posted on Dec 8, 09:29 PMstupid article
By Mexican · Posted on Dec 8, 11:30 PMVery insightful article, you caught my attention for sure. True that using racial card to hype up a fight is much needed especially for PPV buys, but we also have to consider the participants of this match up. The Golden Boy and the guy whom the “Media” calls the Mexicutioner. It’s valid because Manny became a superstar defeating one Mexican legend after another. But Pacquiao never allowed himself to get caught up with any racial motives to rise his stock. Always proud to represent his country but at the same time he shows humility to each boxers that he faced no matter what race they belong. And that’s why to some Mexicans he’s considered an adopted son!
By Edge · Posted on Dec 8, 11:53 PMIt’s just here on internet forums that we can read lots of racial feud between fight fans.
Real fight fans are looking for the talent and character of the fighters, not colors or where they came from
By lomi · Posted on Dec 9, 12:31 AMManny beat a dehydrated and aged pugilist. This is nothing to brag. Let him get down to lightweight where JMM is raring to fight him again who actually beat him twice. If Manny is really that great, he must not be a coward.
By Fil Sanchez · Posted on Dec 9, 12:32 AMif mexico has JC Chavez and panama has roberto duran, philippines has Pacman…he is phenom…
By igcaster · Posted on Dec 9, 01:00 AMManny is not a mexican…
By Philippines · Posted on Dec 9, 01:58 AMManny is a FILIPINO born in the Philippines!!
What a waste article here..
Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino!!!
Philippines and Mexico share cultural characteristics borne out of 350 years of Spanish colonization of the Philippines. There is no racial connection between the two countries, which are both proud of their individual heritage. For sure there were Spanish and Filipino inter-marriages here and there, but still no connection. That cultural affinity might explain why Pacquiao fights like a Mexican. Just putting things in perspective.
By mike · Posted on Dec 9, 01:58 AMactually,i was not shocked on the result,because i believe action is better than word,as you observed too much trash talk from dela hoya cam also himself that he will knock pacquiao in 5th round,but you didnot heard anything from manny,humble person is always awarded from GOD..And you juan manuel marquez how many times you knockdown by manny you are not ashamed on that,i know you are good fighter but manny pacquiao is a special boxer accept it we dont want waste our time and money just to watch you knock down again by manny.
By randy · Posted on Dec 9, 02:00 AMwhen pac fights they don’t see him as a filipino. what they see in the ring resembles how mexican fights. It’s not surprising why they adopted pac as a mexican
By bren · Posted on Dec 9, 02:23 AMwhen pac fights they don’t see him as a filipino. what they see in the ring resembles how mexican fights. It’s not surprising why they adopted pac as a mexican
By bren · Posted on Dec 9, 02:23 AMMr. Fil Sanchez sir, I don’t know if you came from other planet or what..I just don’t understand your claim that JMM actually beat Manny twice. JMM is just even lucky fighting Pacman for the second time coz the first fight one judge admitted committing error in his score cards otherwise it would not have been a draw. Please refresh your memory sir.
By Jouie · Posted on Dec 9, 02:44 AMto fil sanchez..
JMM is just a cry baby!! why dont he fight other guys like valero first then fight pacquiao. obviously jmm is not at pacman’s level. The next anticipated fight will be against hatton ar mayweather sr. JMM is a closed book,he can cry all day but that’s all he can do..
By ryan · Posted on Dec 9, 02:46 AMHey Fil Sanchez! Im a mexican and I do not consider JMM a true mexican fighter. I like pacman more than I like him.. JMM is a mexican coward. Pacman is an adopted mexican fighter with a true filipino blood. Just read the Phil. history where spaniards came to colonize the country. But there was a name lapa-lapa that did not only ffought magellan out but defeated him. Inculcate that in your mind moron! JMM has no place in boxing. He does not sell fights. I suggest he plays checkers or chess not boxing… Ariba Pacman!
By irwin de le hoya · Posted on Dec 9, 03:42 AMto Fil Sancchez…JMM is no match. remember in the first fight. one judge confess that he had a mistake of scoring the 1st round he scored it 10-8 instead of a 10-7 ( if im not mistaken or it must be 10-6 yet he scored it 10-7) stop whining..
By fonsi · Posted on Dec 9, 03:43 AMThere were filipino immigrants in mexico during the galleon trade too.. could it be that mexicans got it from filipinos instead?
By art · Posted on Dec 9, 04:01 AMNever ending story of mannual gay marquez she doest excess anymore. you still hoping to fight will happen. Do you really want this gay marquez will hemorage in the hammer hands of paquiao. You discusting Fil Sanchez…
By johntor · Posted on Dec 9, 04:10 AMit’s a no brainer .. we Filipinos came from the Malay race and was conquered by Spain for 333 years .. we even practice alot of Spanish customs and traditions up until present .. Filipinos have a very rich history, ethnicity and tradition but one thing is for sure, Manny is a pure Filipino, by blood, heart and soul .. Mabuhay ka Manny, you make us proud!!!
By sLiCkyWoRm · Posted on Dec 9, 05:37 AMto Fil Sanchez, i bet you lost a lot of money in that fight? I am also willing to bet that you are one of those mexican fans who keep making up excuses as to why your fighters lose. Whether its Barrera having a bad night, Morales too old, etc, etc. I can also picture the fact that you’re one of those people who called this a mismatch and a demolition of Pacquiao from De La Hoya. Manny will fight who he wants to fight, tell Marquez to get in line. And kissing the canvas four times doesnt mean he beat him.
By Carlo S · Posted on Dec 9, 05:57 AMnobody believes the victory of pacman..fil sanchez is one of them…now he say de la hoya is dehydrated…blaH, blah, blah…you know what, your dreaming….JMM wins based on ur idiot opinion, where is your proof? he never knock downs pacquaio and if you think he’s the better man, he should actually at least double his performance or convincingly…
By arrogant23 · Posted on Dec 9, 06:46 AMI’m sick and tired of reading that Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao fight like a Mexican..this is stupid! For your information Manny Pacquiao fight like a true Filipino Warrior. You don’t know our history how we fought the spaniards, the americans and the japanese who tried to conquer our country. Kindly asks any american veterans who were in the Corridor and Bataan during WWII they will tell you how filipino veterans continue to fight the japanese even though the americans already gave-up and to think that they were only using a substandard weapons. Filipinos never hesitate to die when push to the limit. We have the best fighting heart surrendering only to God. And the Mexican style of boxing is different to that of the Filipino style of boxing because Filipino boxers are humble in victory and gracious in defeat. And only a true blooded Filipino can understand the “bahala na” our secret weapon when we are push to the limit and i know that Manny Pacquiao always use that whenever he fight.
By emajega · Posted on Dec 9, 07:01 AMFil Sanchez:
Your man JMM is just calling out Pacquiao not because he wanted to fight – it’s the money! He cannot command multi-million deals by himself. That foo has been knocked down by Pacquiao several times and JMM knows it. One ref admitted an error in scoring. JMM is lucky. He must feel lucky. Now begging a fight with Pac is the most logical thing as the Pacman now commands big buck fights. And yes, he wants to fight Pacquiao? Plenty have tried. Get a number, foo!
By Magallanes · Posted on Dec 9, 07:17 AMfil sanchez
Even the golden boy acknowledged pacman as a great fighter in this planet today,and he accepted his defeat. By lapu-lapu · Posted on Dec 9, 08:15 AMvery well said Emajega. Pacquaio fights like a true Filipino like Lapu-lapu fights the Spaniards, like my great grandfather fight the Spaniards, like my Lolo(grandfather) fights the japanese. A true Filipino.
By Marasigan · Posted on Dec 9, 09:09 AMhey fil sanchez how could you call pacman a coward? didn’t he fought JMM twice? get over it, you’re one of those pacman haters!!! i feel sorry for you, you’re one of those people that probably predicted that Pacmans gonna get his azz whooped,get a life!!! and guess what my friend if those two fight again its gonna be the same story, Pacmans gonna win and you will have all this things to blame why JMM lose!!!jerK!!!
By joker · Posted on Dec 9, 01:10 PMManny may or may not be Mexican, but one thing is for sure…Joe Calzaghe is not English! He is Welsh.
By Gary Denness · Posted on Dec 9, 02:33 PMyeah gary, Joe calzaghe is welsh but with italian blood.
By maxpayne · Posted on Dec 9, 03:37 PMYah,..you mexicanos are just jealous of FILIPINOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Filipino · Posted on Dec 9, 09:32 PMhey Irwin de la Hoya, you mean to say LAPU-LAPU hahaha, you can now be one of the candidates to be an adopted son of the Philippines
By Joe 'DV · Posted on Dec 10, 03:39 AMI’m sick and tired of reading that Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao fight like a Mexican..this is stupid! For your information Manny Pacquiao fight like a true Filipino Warrior. You don’t know our history how we fought the spaniards, the americans and the japanese who tried to conquer our country. Kindly asks any american veterans who were in the Corridor and Bataan during WWII they will tell you how filipino veterans continue to fight the japanese even though the americans already gave-up and to think that they were only using a substandard weapons. Filipinos never hesitate to die when push to the limit. We have the best fighting heart surrendering only to God. And the Mexican style of boxing is different to that of the Filipino style of boxing because Filipino boxers are humble in victory and gracious in defeat. And only a true blooded Filipino can understand the “bahala na” our secret weapon when we are push to the limit and i know that Manny Pacquiao always use that whenever he fight.
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By Sharon · Posted on Dec 10, 05:57 AMso what can i say!!!!!! INGGIT LNG KAYO…..panahon namin ngayon sa boxing
By pinoy joker · Posted on Dec 11, 06:33 AMThe bottom line is:
Manny Pacquiao was meant to win no matter what. Whether he is Filipino, or if he were Mexican. It Does not make a Fucking difference period.
By bronxboy72 · Posted on Dec 15, 02:35 AMMexican boxing fans doesen’t accept the reality if your boxer lose admitted it. Pilipino’s mentality is do or die met some of those pilipino you learn it.Action speak more than words.
By Paco · Posted on Dec 24, 06:26 PMAmericans cannot be called Irish or British because their roots came from there. This is like your 5th cousin is no longer your cousin. At some point blood lines ends. We all came from Adam and Eve so we are all relatives anyway.
By Anon · Posted on Dec 27, 03:14 PMMANNY PACQUIAO IS NOT A COWARD N FACT HE FOUGHT MARQUEZ IN THE 130 LB DIVISION TO GIVE THE FANS WHAT THEY WANT EVEN THOUGH HA CAN’T MAKE THAT WEIGHT ANYMORE SO HE FOUGHT MARQUEZ DEHYDRATED AND STILL WON, PACQUIAO EVEN HAD A HARD TIME MAKING 135 AGAINST DIAZ SO HE IS STAYING AT 140 SO THE THIRD FIGHT BETWEEN THEM WOULD PROBABLY BE AT 140 IF MARQUEZ REALLY WANTS TO FIGHT HIM HE SHOULD GO UP TO 140 LBS SO THAT IT WOULD BE AN EVEN FIGHT WITH PACQUIAO AT HIS BEST AND NOT DEHYDRATED, PACQUIAO WON BOTH FIGHTS WATCH IT AGAIN THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO SAW MARQUEZ WON BOTH FIGHTS ARE EITHER BIASED OR RACIST. MARQUEZ IS THE REAL COWARD WAITING 4 YEARS FOR THE REMATCH WHEN THE PACQUIAO TEAM WANTED THE REMATCH RIGHT AWAY BUT INSTEAD HE WENT TO NDONESIA AND LOSE BADLY AGAINST CHRIS JOHN WHO GAVE HIM A BOXING LESSON FOR 12 ROUNDS HAHAHA IF HE IS A REAL FIGHTER HE SHOULD ALSO AVENGE HIS BAD LOSS TO CHRIS JOHN OF INDONESIA.
By LINDSAY · Posted on Dec 27, 04:12 PMIn boxing one will win and the other will be defeated. Just accept that its mannys turn to win. Maybe after he retires then it will be mexicans turn to win. Just maybe.
By Mar · Posted on Dec 29, 11:19 AMPacman is not Mexican. His last name is not mexican, he is Filipino. Pacquiao is simply the best fighter in the world right now. It has nothing to do with race or nationality.
By TheFan · Posted on Feb 23, 01:42 PMA mexican Boxer? He’s a Filipino boxer, right?
By Pacquiao Hatton Live · Posted on May 1, 09:25 PM