Pacquiao – pride of the Philippines

If it's difficult to carry the hopes and dreams of an entire nation, Manny Pacquiao does an amazing job of hiding the pain.

The 29-year-old Filipino boxer's meteoric rise from being a poverty-stricken child who sold stolen cigarettes to becoming the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world is a fairy tale that has captured the imagination of the Filipinos across the world.

"Pacquiao represents the heart, determination and relentlessness that many Filipinos and Filipino Americans are proud of," said Evan Osborn, a local Pacquiao fan.

And it's easy to see why. The Pac Man employs an exciting fighting style, combining break-neck speed with immense power. He has gone to battle with the some of the sport's top stars and – this is key – he's taken them down. Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Miguel Marquez – all top-tier fighters at the top of their game.

So when Pacquiao faced off against Oscar De La Hoya in their 147-pound welterweight match last Saturday, it was hyped to be a dream boxing match between two future hall of famers. It was David vs. Goliath. Pacquiao – who started his career at 106 pounds soaking wet – had never fought over 135 pounds, while his opponent had been fighting 20 pounds heavier for the past eight years.

For most fighters, jumping two weight classes and facing the biggest name in the sport sounds like a insurmountable obstacle.

Apparently Pacquiao didn't get that memo.

For eight rounds the Pac Man methodically picked apart the Golden Boy, landing left straights at will and barraging him with flurries of power punches that led to an eighth-round TKO.

It wasn't just a victory – it was an annihilation.

While the win added another notch to Pacquiao's growing legend, it's his affect on his people's national pride that's even greater. His influence is so great that on the night of the fight, the country reported zero crime.

Zero.

In an Associated Press story, the country's executive secretary said that Pacquiao's victory boosted the morale of the Filipino people in the midst of financial woes.

If only we can get our very own Pacquiao here in the states.