Frequently in the world of sports, we see a certain player tagged as a hero.  Sometimes, the said player may even be tagged as an American Hero.  Take this article by Holly Cain, which places Jimmie Johnson as an American Hero, for an example.  For whatever reasons, some can claim Johnson to be a hero, but does that actually make him a national hero, if most others don’t see him in that light?

A national hero has to be somebody who can make almost everybody in the nation treat him or her as a hero.  The hero must be able to unite the nation in a cheer, and also vindicate and uplift the nation in times of hardship.  Make the 1980 U.S. Men’s Hockey Team that provided the nation with so much pride and hope in the “Miracle on Ice” into one being, and there you would have a national hero.

With that sentiment, there’s not one American Hero in sports, but there is one national hero who has been doing most of his best work in the United States.  Ask almost any Filipino, Filipino-American or person of Filipino decent about boxer Manny Pacquiao.  You’ll see that person’s eyes light up, brimming with pride.  That person will then tell you what the Pacman means to a strong, proud country and its culture abroad.

Rights to Jace McTier (McTier Art)

Pacquiao has blazed new paths in boxing.  He’s the first boxer to win world titles in seven different weight classes, as well as the first to win a lineal championship in four different weight classes.  Never before has a boxer truly held the notion of conquering, then moving on to bigger challenges (literally).  Pacquiao’s most recent triumph, that at the hands of then-WBO Welterweight Title holder Miguel Cotto last Saturday in Las Vegas, showcased the near-perfect package of power, quickness and toughness that has turned the Pacman into a near mythic figure.  In the ring, Pacquiao’s next target is the undefeated Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr.  The boisterous Mayweather could be the final foe the Pacman needs to vanquish.  In some senses, if Mayweather accepted the challenge to fight, the battle could determine who is the greatest boxer since Mike Tyson.

Pacquiao (right) in his defeat of Miguel Cotto (rights to David Becker/Icon SMI)

Meanwhile, Pacquiao has also blazed new grounds in The Philippines.  A film based on his life has already been made, and that before he won lightweight or welterwight titles, before he handed beatdowns to Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.  He was the first athlete to appear on Filipino postage stamp.  Pacquiao even made the 2009 TIME 100.  Then, of course, there’s the political influence Pacquiao has had on his country.

Perhaps Pacquiao’s appearance in the TIME 100 doesn’t do enough justice to illustrate what he does to unify the Republic of the Philippines.  As Gary Andrew Poole wrote in a November 15 article on The Atlantic’s Website:

Many Filipinos, including the vice president, had made the trip to Vegas because Pacquiao represents so much them. He was abandoned by his father (a man who ate the family dog) and then he left home at 14 to help support his family.  He sold snacks and trinkets on the streets.  He once lived in a cardboard box. He boxed his way to fame and fortune with fights in his homeland and abroad.  (His father was somewhere in the arena tonight, watching his son for the first time.) Said a Filipino sportswriter, “We are having hard times in our country. There is terrorism. There is poverty. There are kidnappings every day. We find solace in Manny Pacquiao.” There is even talk of him running for congress. In a country with thousands of different dialects and ethnic groups, Filipinos see him as a unifier.

Rights to wikipedia

The best way for Pacquiao to end his career is to somehow convince Mayweather to fight him, and beat him.  I don’t want to compare a boxing match to the country’s official liberation and granted independence from colonial rule, but there would seem to be some parallels if the nicknamed “Fighting Pride of the Philippines” was to knockout the baddest and loudest (and best) American boxer.  With a victory, Pacquiao can realize he has beaten everybody he needs to beat.  He will go down as one of the greatest boxers of all time, and arguably the most accomplished boxer in the sport’s history.  With a victory, Pacquiao will have conquered it all before he retires and entrenches himself into the world of politics.  More importantly, with a victory, the Republic of the Philippines will officially be on top of the boxing world, thanks to power within the fists of the Filipino national hero.

On the day Brawn GP’s intention to tempt seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher out of retirement was revealed, the wisdom of great sportsmen to reach out and dust off those old gloves, those boots or, indeed, that helmet which accompanied such adulation and success in their prime, must surely be questioned.

Earlier this year the media frenzy surrounding Schumacher’s near-return for Ferrari, in place of the injured Felipe Massa after the latter’s career-threatening crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix, generated such hype and fervour that few could argue against the marketability of the racing legend. A back injury sustained in a prior motorcycle accident put paid to the return, however the status of one of sports true modern greats was apparently reaffirmed and duly noted by German motoring giant Mercedes and Schumacher’s long-time collaborator at Benetton and Ferrari, Ross Brawn. Jenson Button’s departure to create a back-to-back world championship dream team with Lewis Hamilton at McLaren has left a void which Schumacher appears ready to fill. The question this poses is not, however, Schumacher’s driving ability or appeal. Even at the ripe old age of 40, Schumacher’s skill and nous behind the wheel would be more than the equal of many a younger driver. Instead, it is one of legacy, sporting mythology and bowing out through choice, not necessity.

Muhammed Ali is possibly the best known and relevant example of a sporting great continuing a career past such a time where the stratospheric standards set by a total dominance of their given medium, simply cannot be achieved. In his final fights, Ali lost to such fighters as Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick, pugilists of some talent yet not of the same calibre as a Liston, a Frazier, a Foreman – all of whom simply could not live with the ‘Greatest of All Time’. We now see a man ravaged by Parkinsons Disease, by general consensus the result of not heeding medical advice and retiring before it was too late. Within boxing a trend appears to form whereby men who have spent their lives in the gym and in the ring, seem reluctant, if not afraid, to admit their time is up.

A notable exception to this rule comes in the form of Joe Calzaghe. Retiring after defeating all comers in a career spanning 46 fights, producing 46 wins with 32 by way of knock-out, Calzaghe bowed out a true champion making no noises (thus far) of any possible return between the ropes. Calzaghe, for me, is one of boxing’s great champions, one to rival such middleweight idols as Hagler, Leonard and Hearns. My view of him is enhanced by not seeing him, aged and failing to live up to his younger self, climbing into a ring to kickstart the career of a younger fighter such as Carl Froch. A contemporary of Calzaghe’s, Ricky Hatton, appears not to be aware of making the same mistakes as many a brawler before him, this week declaring (whilst looking incredibly bloated and unwell) his desire and “hunger” to return. We can only hope his decision does not return to haunt him in years to come.

Footballers have often resisted the temptation to continue past their peak with such luminaries of the game as Michel Platini, Eric Cantona and George Best retiring from the game, somewhat unexpectedly, in what many perceived to be the midst of the most productive and impressive years of their careers. Best, of course, made an ill-fated return with Fulham in 1976 after retiring from Manchester United in ‘74 and, having lost the pace for which he was once revered, lasted barely a year before shipping off to the money in the newly formed North American Soccer League. These players, Cantona especially having featured heavily in my football-watching lifetime, with early retirement seem to adopt an almost impenetrable aura which inflates the sense of champion they acquired as players. I’m reminded of the goals he scored, the sheer audacity of his nonchalant control and effortless lobs from outside of the box, with even his notorious kung-fu kick on a neanderthol at Crystal Palace seemingly adding to the mystique of the man. I do not remember him, being substituted at half time in a make-or-break match for being off the pace, old, or out of shape.

The common factor between Cantona and Calzaghe is that when they had achieved all they desired in their given sport, they were strong enough and honourable enough to walk away, leaving nothing but reputation and memories to be eulogised ad infinitum. These men will never be vilified in the press because ‘his legs have gone’.

Michael Schumacher, up until now, has found this status amongst sporting gods. His ruthless duels with Damon Hill, his infamous fight with Nigel Mansell, the seven world titles in a peerless reign of dominance, all part of a narrative to draw alongside and overtake the ghosts of racing past: Moss, Stewart, Senna, Lauder, Prost. If he returns to a team less competitive than the Ferraris he became accustomed to and who could only get this years world champion on the podium once in the second half of a title-winning season, how will he fare? For all the ability and skill he may or may not still possess, if the car ain’t fast, the car ain’t fast. Worse than that however, is if he makes a return to a potential podium challenging vehicle and can’t cut it. What if the few years spent as a guest on Ferrari’s pit wall, testing F1 prototypes and spending time with his young family have dulled the reactions, reduced the insatiable will to win at all costs, or simply reduced the willingness to take the risks involved when accelerating to 150mph directly towards a tyre wall? In either of these scenarios, the aura will be cracked. The myth a little less believable. The memories updated with pictures of a frustrated man, replacing those of the omnipotent deity.

Instinct tells me that there is no smoke without fire. I fully expect to witness one of the most heralded returns in the history of all sport and maybe this is what makes him a true sporting great; the willingness to take the risks others wouldn’t and the passion to succeed others can only dream of.

However the doubt remains that, above all else, Michael Schumacher is gambling with nothing but his own legacy.

Marquez is interested in a fight with Hatton in Manchester. This will be great for Ricky’s comeback… I believe it’s bad to retire on a loss, retire on a win & get pride – that’s what Ricky needs to do. Marquez is a great opportunity… he use to be a class-A fighter in his prime, but is now slightly washed-up, as you seen in his fight with Mayweather. I think the fight will be like Hatton’s ‘Jose Castillo’ fight that happened in mid 07. Castillo was in his prime when he fought Mayweather, Castillo was one hell of a challenge for Mayweather, that’s why they had a rematch. Hatton fought Castillo when he was washed up, fighting Marquez is quite a challenge for Hatton still. Hatton’s speed may have diminished some what, but he’s in his early 30s, Marquez ’s boxing assets have been some what diminished I bet due to his old age, his power will not be as strong as Hattons for sure. Look at this youtube video, Hatton’s power rocks Floyd:

If it was not for that unfair referee, Hatton would of stood a better chance. Zab Judah nearly beat Mayweather with his speed & highly-accurate punches, put Hatton’s power & Zab’s lightning speed & procession together, & Mayweather may just be defeated.

After beating Nikoli Valuev for the WBA title, David Haye is being championed by the certain corners of the press as another ‘Cassius Clay’. Amazing but true. The fact that Valuev looked like a 7ft tall Sloth when the pair clashed in Germany meant nothing to boxing commentator Emanuel Steward who said that Haye ‘brings an excitement like Cassius Clay’. Unbelievable words from someone in the sport and this was jumped on by the English press who are now waiting patiently for Hayes’ world domination.

Unfortunately, that isn’t going to happen. Haye’s next fight will probably be against a mandatory challenger and no doubt that if he wins there will be more outrageous words said in favour of him. Once that fight is out of the way, Haye will more than likely meet one of the Klitschko brothers and then we’ll see the mettle of the man. Not that it will say much about the Heavyweight Division as a whole. There hasn’t been a decent heavyweight champ for a long time now, and that’s probably where the outlandish claims of as exciting as Ali come from. I’m really pleased that we have a British Heavyweight Champion but let’s not get carried away by comparing Haye to the greatest boxer who ever lived.

A much better example of a great boxer is Manny Pacquiao, who absolutely dominated Miguel Cotto on Saturday. The fight was stopped in the twelve round and should probably have been stopped sooner. Another demolition job to Pacquiao then. What this means is that boxing fans are in for something special when Pacquiao takes on Floyd Mayweather Jr next year. Mayweather Jr came out of retirement pretty much as soon as Pacquiao had finished battering our own Ricky Hatton, and the word is that he’s more than a little bit pissed at Pacquiao being crowned the Worlds Best Pound For Pound Fighter. Mayweather believes (rightly or wrongly) that Pacquiao inherited by default the title that he’d spent so many years in winning. One thing is certain, their clash will be the biggest boxing event seen in decades. You want to know what happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force? Keep your eyes peeled for this bout.

As for Ricky Hatton…..oh dear.

It’s been a busy few weeks for Ricky. Firstly, he appeared in a WWE Wrestling event at Sheffield!?! Looking very overweight, he came out during Monday Night Raw for a strange wrestling bout – much to the delight of the English fans. Secondly, he was interviewed by The Sun prior to the Pacquiao/ Cotto clash and went on the record saying if Cotto was to beat Pacquiao, he would have Cotto in his sights! Extraordinary words from the Hitman, I’m not sure what makes him think he’d even have the right to call Cotto out (if he had won). Ricky was humiliated by Mayweather and Pacquiao demolished him so badly, he looked liked a complete amateur.

Now i’ve really enjoyed watching Hatton over the years, but to defend him by saying that he’s only been beaten by the best fighters in the world is not a valid argument. All it means is Hatton isn’t one of the best fighters. The best thing he could do now is hang his gloves up and enjoy life. He’s very well liked and I’m sure it wouldn’t be difficult for him to get work as a sports commentator or something similar, I’m worried that if he fights again and gets beat he’ll totally tarnish what he did achieve when he was winning. People have short memories, and it would be easy for boxing fans to remember Ricky by his high profile defeats.

I’ve been a bad blogger, mainly because I’ve been sick. One of those nasty colds that just seems to be lingering and lingering, plus I’ve got a ton of my plate right now, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that I’ve missed two weeks of recaps. Oops. So here’s my condensed thoughts on the last two weeks of Raw.

I’m loving the Cena/Triple H/Shawn Michaels promos, these three have good chemistry. I know the angle should be played as more serious as it is, especially between the members of DX, but there’s still several months between now and Wrestlemania (where we all know we’re getting a HBK/HHH match) and they’ve got time to get to the serious stuff, so right now I think they’re making the right decision. Let things fall apart after Survivor Series.

I’m really enjoying the elevation of Kofi Kingston and his feud with Randy Orton. It’s been very well-done so far and it moves Kofi closer to main event status, I move I think he’s been ready for for sometime. I also like that Ted DiBiase seems to be taking on more of a “Millon Dollar” man attitude, with the comments to his financial status, I’ve been predicting a face turn for him, but a change in that direction would be just as good, I think.

I love the Miz and I love the idea of a The Miz/Jack Swagger rivalry, I just hope it’s done well and not dropped suddenly like the potentially awesome Jack Swagger/MVP rivalry from earlier this summer.

Seamus is coming out strong and I kind of like it. It might be a little soon, but let him build a reputation and get some heat. The attack on Jamie Noble looked vicious, which was the point. I winced at the bumps Noble took and it definitely made Seamus look like a monster, which was the whole point.

Final thought: Ozzy Osbourne made a much better guest host than Ricky Hatton. In fact, the Prince of Darkness was kind of awesome, Sharon got on my nerves fast thought.

Floyd has done an exclusive interview here with SkySportsNews on Sunday. Floyd said Manny is a one-dimensional fighter, which I believe he is, his only assets are his footwork and speed, while Mayweather has the whole package, aka he is balanced – best of both (a bit of speed, a bit of power, a bit of footwork, and the thing that makes him unique is his brain). Mayweather’s ring philosophy is “whoever has the smartest brain wins in boxing”, & I certainly agree. Mayweather is the most smartest boxer out their, forget strength, power, etc… it’s all about fighting smart.

Manny has been knocked out in his early days when he was young & learning (this was when he was professional). But, being knocked out in your early professional days is a heavy embarrassment, because early in your career, your meant to show what your made off (& losing early in your career is odd/a sign of weakness & bad heart). And of course, Marquez gave him quite a good beating and exposed his flaws, so has Cotto to some minor extent, but Marquez ultimately gave him one hell of a beating, but Manny won the boxing match between & Marquez by unanimous decision, but Marquez, I believe is the toughest opponent Manny has faced up to now, which is why when asked at the Cotto after-fight interview, the interviewer said “which was your hardest fight” he failed to answer the question, due to embarrassment, instead talking about the Cotto fight.

Manny was asked multiple times if he wanted Floyd, but said it’s up to his management. True boxers don’t leave decisions to their management, they call boxers out, like Shane Mosley did to Floyd in his Marquez fight (in a rather rude & disrespectful manner). Manny needs to speak for himself, & stop ducking Mayweather, he knows the world wants that fight, but is to ignorant/scared to call Floyd out. Boxers should be chasing Floyd for a fight with him, as he’s No.1 & undefeated. I believe Manny has earn his opportunity to fight Floyd, & should have called him out when interviewed so the fans get more of a buzz.

Overall, Manny obviously has weaknesses as exposed mainly by Marquez (which is why Floyd fought him, so he can say I beat the 1 who beat Manny). Manny’s defence is average, as you seen Manny protecting his head, but one of Cotto’s upper cuts got in. If Manny tried to use his lightning speed against Mayweather, I think he would look stupid, like Oscar did when he fought Mayweather, Oscar went in their aiming shots all over the place, which is what Manny does. Manny’s lightning speed is quite like Oscar’s combos, they are not precise, and both boxers just blast them out leaving themselves open, & leaving yourself open to Mayweather means a counter punch from Mayweather. So overall, Manny will never get into Mayweather due to his solid defence, lighting reflexes, and Mayweather’s precision & counter-punching skill is just to much for Manny. Mayweather of course is clearly the more intelligent man & bigger man… Floyd has got a lot to lose if he gets beat by Manny, but Floyd will not get beat, because everything he had was on the line in the Marquez fight, & he won it, so Manny is just basically fresh meat for the Mayweather grinder.

El Undertaker es por supuesto la imagen del "Rest in Peace Tour", que tendrá lugar en Noviembre en Alemania

La reciente gira europea Tour “Undertaker’s Rest In Peace” y “DX Invasion Tour”  ha sido un gran éxito, recaudando millones de dólares. La marca RAW terminó ayer por la noche en Francia, mientras que Smackdown tiene el día hoy su último show en Irlanda . No se reportan lesiones en la gira, aunque el talento se reporta cansados, aburridos y en espera de unos días de descanso antes de las grabaciones de televisión en Nueva York, Filadelfia y la próxima semana.

Con 22 fechas programadas por,  Irlanda, Escocia, Francia, Alemania, Bélgica, destaca el “Main Event” shows (evento principal)  WWE RAW del pasado lunes 9 de noviembre donde el boxeador Ricky Hatton fungió como  anfitrión invitado del  Monday Night RAW en la Sheffield Arena

A continuación se presentan los resultados rápidos WWE Raw/ECW house show desde Lyon, Francia:

• Kofi Kingston venció. Chris Masters
• Sheamus venció. Santino Marella
• The Hurricane venció. Paul Burchill
• Hornswoggle venció. Chavo Guerrero
• MVP & Mark Henry vencieron. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase
• WWE Divas Champion Melina & Kelly Kelly b. Jillian Hall & Alicia Fox con Gail Kim como referí especial

A continuación se presentan los resultados  rápidos de WWE Smackdown/ECW house show Dublin, Ireland at O2 Arena :

• John Morrison vence a  Matt Hardy y retiene titulo Intercontinental
• Shelton Benjamin pinned Zack Ryder
• Drew McIntyre venció Finlay
• Katie Lea y Mickie James vencen Michellle McCool y Beth Phoenix
• Ezekiel Jackson pinned Goldust
• Rey Mysterio vence Dolph Ziggler
• Christian pinned William Regal y retiene the ECW Championship
• R-Truth vence Eric Escobar
• Undertaker vence CM Punk en casket match y retiene the World Hvt. Championship

Freddie Roach, el famoso entrenador de Manny Pacquiao, dice que quiere a su peleador enfrentando al invicto Floyd Mayweather
Luego de la convincente victoria que Pacquiao logró ante Migel Cotto, que obligó a un TKO en el round 12, y victorias previas ante Ricky Hatton y Oscar de la Hoya, Pacquiao tiene ya 5 cinturones en forma simultánea, y parece que no hay en el mundo actual del box, otro rival más que Mayweather:

Todo el mundo quiere verlo pelear con Mayweather, yo quiero a Mayweather, señaló Roach a la BBC

El récord de Pacquiao es ahora de 50-3-2, en la imagen vemos una escena del duelo de este 14 de noviembre, Cotto inció muy fuerte, incluso ganando el primer round, pero la velocidad y condición física de Pacquiao fueron demasiado, y tuvo que terminar la pelea tratando de escpar de los puños del filipino

Manny turned out to be a better fighter than I predicted due to the heavy beating he gave Cotto. Cotto certainly got a good few shots in their, but overall, Manny dominated the ring. Cotto, of course, fought better than Ricky Hatton. Hatton and Cotto would be a good match for Ricky’s comeback (if he makes one). Overall, the fight between Manny & Cotto was definitely worth watching, Manny demonstrated massive power & lightning speed. I was certainly impress by Manny’s performance, and Cotto’s courage for fighting on, but Manny is a fighter who I particularly don’t like/support.

Floyd Mayweather only came out of retirement because he saw Hatton get KO’ed by Manny (& Floyd knows hatton is quite tough, but I bet when Floyd seen the Hatton V Manny fight, I bet he was shocked). He also came out of retirement for the money, as he said, why retire when I can earn another million. I imagine Floyd will now be angry & slightly shocked at Manny due to his performance in the Cotto fight. The only way to avoid Manny’s lightning speed is to get a boxer who is an expert in terms of defence, & he’s the 1 & only Mayweather. I hope Mayweather says to himself “enough is enough”, Manny needs a taste of his own medicine.

7 Divisions.  Thats all we need to know.

Saturday November 14th, 2009
by Kevin Blatt – OnThEGRiND BoXiNG New England

When this fight was first announced, it was shortly after Manny Pacquiao had destroyed Ricky Hatton in what was one of the most impressive beat downs of a top fighter in recent history.  It was also shortly after Miguel Cotto had squeezed out yet another tough win against another tough opponent, gritting through a bloodied face to once again have his hand raised at the end.  It seemed like it was just going to be the next step in the Pacman’s rise to all time greatness.  It was what this writer considered a done deal…Cotto would fight strong…Cotto would give his all…but in the end, the inevitable would happen.  The star from the Philippines would once again shine brightly.

This of course, was before I looked a little deeper (for those first time readers of my definitive breakdowns prepare to get in depth, it can be a long journey, but it’s worth it)…