Manny Pacquiao - A Sporting Icon, A Symbol of Success From Poverty, and the Philippines Pride
I do not really like boxing as a sport. The only time I ever had any interest in boxing in England was when Cassius Clay (later Mohammed Ali) was on television. When I came to the Philippines 6 years ago, in 2000, I soon became aware of the popularity of boxing. Even so, I still had no interest. That changed in 2005. As the year came to an end, the build up to the January 2006 Pacquiao-Morales fight was becoming intense, and the extensive coverage of Pacquiao on television, both on news and his advertising appearances, had me anticipating the fight with as much relish as any native Filipino. When the fight arrived, I was as excited as everyone else was;
Manny Pacquiao
The name is Emmanuel. To the boxing world, he is Pacman. To his adoring fans, he is Our Manny. To the boxing pundits, analysts, enthusiasts, commentators, not excluding politician-hangers on, he is Pacquiao. To the millions of starving Filipinos, hungry for heroes, who feed on political bickering breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in between, he is the Pambansang Kamao (National Fist). The PK is the Filipino"s national pride, the Filipino boxing jewel. He has done the country proud. A jewel indeed to be treasured and flaunted. He is of humble beginnings. From his home in General Santos City, somewhere south of the Philippines, the Boy PK earned his and his family"s keep even at a tender, young age.
Ring Tactics-Ring Craft
Ring tactics and strategies are what you will need when you enter the ring with an opponent of a specific physique or style. Although it is difficult to generalise how to deal with all known styles of fighting, the following tactics are generally regarded as the most effective. AGAINST A TALL FIGHTER : You will need to keep moving both ways, draw the lead and slip inside. Once on the inside, switch attacks from head to body with hooks and uppercuts. Care must be taken when trying to get on the inside, you must beware of his uppercuts. AGAINST A CROUCHING FIGHTER : Do not work in a straight line, keep moving left and right, side step and work to the sides.
Hand Protection Used in Boxing
It is recommended that you always wear hand wraps underneath your bag gloves or boxing gloves before you start your workouts whether it be on the punch bags, focus pads or sparring. Hand wraps are very important in boxing because they offer some protection to the knuckles, wrists and the small bones in your hands. Most serious boxers or "heavy hitters" will use knuckle guards underneath their hand wraps for added protection. Knuckle guards usually made of leather with approximately 1cm thickness of foam padding (depending on the manufacturer"s specifications). Knuckle guards have four holes for your fingers and usually come in "one size fits most" and are sold in pairs.
Skipping for Boxing and Fitness
Skipping ropes for Boxing and Fitness Boxers have been using skipping ropes as a training aid for many years. Skipping can be used for endurance work, developing speed in short bursts, coordination and to encourage a sense of rhythm. Many of the great champions used to skip to the lively beat of music. One of these champions was the great "Sugar" Ray Robinson. You will find many film clips of him skipping to music, his timing and coordination was remarkable. Boxers will usually warm up with skipping. Depending on the boxer and what level he is at in his career, a warm up could be as long as 20 - 30minutes. During skipping, a boxer will use different types of skipping techniques like crossing the rope, double jumps, short sprints on the spot, moving backwards and forwards e.
Boxing Craze
Boxing is such a sports that it is bound to keep you nailed to your seat until the game is over. Every punch or every swipe at the contender makes you wince in pain or yell with joy and before you know, you have become vicarious audience. It is such a game that you either hate it or love it. Around the boxing ring, you will witness either an euphoric crowd or avenging crowd. The game is full of passion and energy and takes the crowd on a different world altogether. Many famous movies have been made based on boxing. For instance, the movie Cinderella Man was a famous boxing movie, where Russell Crowe has essayed the role of a boxer. This movie was based on the real life-story of a famous boxer Jim Braddock, who was forced to retire due to series of losses.
Muhammad Ali-The Greatest Boxing Story Ever
Muhammad Ali was originally born as Cassius Clay in 1942 in Louisville Kentucky. The colourful and controversial Clay began taking boxing lessons when he was twelve years old after his bike was stolen. As a high school student, he won the national Golden Gloves middleweight championship in 1959 and 1960 and the AAU national light heavyweight title in 1960, then went on to a gold medal in the Olympic light heavyweight division. He was renowned for his incredibly fast hand and feet. And although he was built like a heavyweight and weighed about 210 pounds he still moved around the ring like a lightweight. Whereas many other heavyweights were slow sluggers who were incredibly dull to watch.
Ali: The Right Person at the Right Time
The progressive jump in athletics for African Americans that went from the Negro Baseball League to Jackie Robinson (who provided hope and heroism) to Lary Doby to Jim Brown culminated with a new breed of active and responsible African American athletes who began to pave the way more quickly for others. People like Wilma Rudolph, Arthur Ashe, Curt Flood, quarterback Doug Williams, golfers Charlie Sifford and Lee Elder, Mohammed Ali, Tiger Woods and, of course, the 41st Super Bowl in which both head coaches are African Americans. The evolution has been spectacular, but far too long in coming. Mohammed Ali"s considerable contributions to this time line will remain part of his legacy.
Ted The Bull s Ten Favorite Fights and Five Favorite Rounds
Over the years, I have seen literally thousands of fights and to name my top ten will do injustice to many others and I apologize for that up front. Still, I"ll give it a go and list them in order of preference. Rightly or wrongly, I used the following criteria: I had to see them live or when they were first televised (no tapes, YOUTUBES, and/or videos), ebb and flow, sudden change in flow, controlled violence, courage, imposition of will, superiority of technical skills, pure savagery and personal satisfaction. Here they are. 1. Bobby Chacon vs. Rafael "Bazooka " Limon: On December 11, 1982, Chacon was dropped in the 4th and 10th, Limon in the 15th round (1982 Fight of the Year - Ring Magazine).
Anthony Mundine Is The Greatest Athlete Ever
Anthony Mundine is already the greatest athlete of all time and i will go into detail to show you why. No sportsmen has switched codes for such success other than rugby league and rugby union which are nearly the same sport. Anthony Mundine played state of origin for new south wales before taking up boxing. He is now a two time world champion in the supper middleweight division. No athlete can compare to these feats which include un related sports usually requiring a life time of dedication to achieve professionalism in each. Mundine's achievements can no way be rubbished or ridiculed. To those people who hate Mundine, you are critics and lets face it you hate him no matter what.