We want to believe

It was not the same Manny Pacquiao that we saw almost dethrone Mario Barrios. But from a certain standpoint, it was better. With his speed diminished, and facing a taller, much younger fighter, the eight-division world champion found a way, not only to keep up, but to steal the show.

Pacquiao started out well in the first two rounds, even complaining about low blows from the WBC welterweight champion. But when the adrenaline started to wear off, he fell behind. Then, rallying his deep experience, he continuously gain ground midway through the fight. Barrios seemed hesitant, uncertain, unable to summon greater effort. Inevitably, it was close, a majority draw. Filipinos see it as a win for Pacquiao, for us, an addition to his unassailable legacy, even after being installed as a Hall of Famer. We want to believe that he will keep going.

Pacquiao was not the same. No more blinding speed or dazzling combinations. None of the flashiness that earned him stunning knockouts and a fearsome reputation. For this writer, it was better, more relatable, even more excruciatingly exquisite. Even without the tools that made him unassailable as a younger man, Manny was able to grind it out against an opponent who defeated his own tormentor, Yornedis Ugas, to get the interim belt. Prior to that, Barrios had lost to Keith Thurman after Pacquiao beat the latter.

Before the fight, there was a lot of speculation. And of course, some friendly media, still giddy after all these years, gave their diluted observations. We wanted to hear how good or bad the training went. There were rumors that sparring did not go too well. Others were cautiously optimistic. But we want to believe. We were along for the ride, no matter what happened, though we were fearful.

Pacquiao saw something we didn’t: vulnerability of a less experienced champion. He measured what he had left, and somehow knew it would be enough. The draw on paper is also a draw against Father Time, who remains undefeated.

Of course it’s normal. We want to believe that our heroes will live forever, and carry our dreams, and win. And Manny Pacquiao is no exception. For so long, he has been the representation of what it means to be Filipino, to have nothing, and yet conquer the world. For well over two decades, he has carried our dreams. Vicariously, we feel that we also win. And we are grateful. But we also feel that it is past the time that he should be taking unnecessary risks. It isn’t worth it. Not for us. But he loves boxing, and his countrymen love him. So for now, we continue to believe.

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