RELATIONAL LEADERSHIP

PACQUIAO’S REAL FIGHT

I’m not a boxing analyst so this is really not an evaluation of the fight.

But reading the tweets after the Pacquiao-Marquez fight has been interesting to say the least.

Some cheer Manny on saying that they still believe in him while others predict the end of his career.

The most interesting ones are those that credit his loss to his faith in God.
That one, I don’t understand.

Unfortunately, God gets the blame in the process.
People will crucify you for your faith. If I remember correctly, that’s what was done to Jesus.

But the other thought I had was this:
Faith is tested both in the winning and in the losing.

It is fun to win. No doubt about that.
Equally true is the difficulty in accepting defeat.  At least, I know I do.

But fact remains,
“It’s not what happens to you that is important but how you respond to what happens to you.”

You can win and end up losing.
Conversely, you can lose and end up winning.

(Great blog by my friend, Dennis Sy, found here by the way.)

Looks to me that Manny’s responding well which is a test of character and a test of faith. It surely is a difficult one to swallow and a tough one to accept, but this is where the rubber meets the road.

I believe Manny will surpass this test.
His identity and security is no longer in the championship belt but on the Champion Himself.

For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3, NLT)

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Paolo Punzalan's avatar

Posted by:

Paolo Punzalan

Husband, father, pastor and most importantly, Christ follower.

34 responses to “PACQUIAO’S REAL FIGHT”

  1. leilani gregorio acosidola Avatar
    leilani gregorio acosidola

    yes i agree with you 100%…it’s not in the winning or in the losing but in how you respond to the situation that makes a man…and i believe manny took it well base on the interview after the fight…he did not win but GOD was with him through it all and is going to be with him as long as he will let GOD…GOD has the best planS for manny…CONGRATULATIONS MANNY! YOU’RE STILL OUR MAN!

    Reply
    1. Mimi Maderazo Avatar
      Mimi Maderazo

      Sure…you are in the sports business. You have to S P O R T! The hurt was more inside than the outside. But anyway, win or loss he will still get his 23 million or more, bigger than what the champion will get. Isn’t it what he is looking for and his buddies. I think more than enough is enough. How sad…

      Reply
  2. ally Avatar
    ally

    Hi pastor paulo, I totally agree with your blog, I believe that it’s not the outcome of the process that makes the person who they are, but it’s the process itself and the faith he had with God! God bless pastor!

    Reply
    1. gonzales james Avatar
      gonzales james

      manny ur stll our idol, but nd sana mangyayari un kung nd ka naging kompyanxa.. sumubra kc ung yabang mo.
      akala mu nd kna tlga tatablan ng suntok ng kalaban,.

      sana maging aral sau yan. nagsisimula palng ang tunay na laban.
      for the 2ndtym na naknockdown ka.
      ,,sunod2x din yan na panalo sa susunod.

      Reply
      1. maryvhie espino Avatar
        maryvhie espino

        wag po tayong magsalita ng di maganda ,laban sating pambansang kamao,ksi dyn po nakikita satin ang kawalan ng tiwala sating mga sarili ksi wala tayong paninndigan kung saan tayo kampi,nung kasagsagan ng ating pambansang kamao laging dala-dala ang tagumpag sating bansa puro papuri po tayo,maging fair po sana tayo,eh kung tayo nga po walang pang napapatunayan sa ating bayan!!!!!!!!!!ano na nga po ba ang mga nagawa ng isang manny pacquiao,sating bansa magpakatotoo lang po tayong mga pinoy.at hindi po sya natalo dahil nagpalit sya ng reliheyon,di po religion ang pinaglalabanan boxing po yan mga kabayan.di kasali ang religion po dyn ksi iisa lang po ang ating sinsamba kundi ang diyos na buhay na may gawa ng langit at lupa kaya po kung pwede imbes po n magsalita tayo ng di maganda tikom nlng po natin ang ating mga bibig kng wala lang masasabing maganda,amen po ba?

      2. butch Reyes Avatar
        butch Reyes

        Palagay ko nanggigil si Pacman ng husto at aminado siya sa kanyang ginawa. it was a great gamble and had to pay for what he did. sabi nga ni Marquez, hinintay niya na magkamali si Pacman and ung end of the 6th round, doon nagkaroon ng opening si Marquez.
        I do believe that his not having full concentration in his training did matter! Politics, Religion what more should I say! As what a lot of boxing analyst have mentioned, in this kind of one on one full contact sport, one must have full concentration — no distraction whatsoever in order to achieve your desired goal. And that was the story of Marquez. He did sacrifice for 4 solid months to attain his objective. To vindicate himself and prove to himself that he is no fluke at aged 39 years old!
        Kudos to the man with conviction and dedication to his craft. But moreso, admiration and respect to a true champion who positively responds to a lose and gallantly honors his defeat.

      3. julius acla Avatar
        julius acla

        pataka lang man ka yawyaw butch.. bago ka magsalita mag isip ka muna..dati kng manalo c pacman .pag yabang natin .kng matalo.c pakman yumabang ,ikaw nga don lumaban,,at bago ka magsalita di magan dan ky pacman,isip[in, mo..may nadala kan bang karangalan sa bansa?baka puro ka lang putak..parang puwit ng inahin na baklain

  3. pilar Avatar
    pilar

    yes i agree with Manny Pacquia that God is still in control , hindi po mayabang si manny naging totoo lang siya sa nararamdaman niya

    Reply
    1. bebotski0811 Avatar
      bebotski0811

      Pilar, that is a better and a professional comment.

      Reply
  4. rj Avatar
    rj

    mmmmhhh…still GOd is GOOD parin mga pare koy:-)…sino ba tau para mashusga..porke talo daming nang sat-sat…mmhh…hehehe,,,im sure ung mga taong yan nong panahon na nanalo si pacman halos di rin mabilang ung mga papuring salita na nabitiwan sa kanilang mga bibig..ahahaha….PINOY talaga….:-)

    Reply
    1. philip de leon Avatar
      philip de leon

      walang kasiyahan ang pinoy ang daming nasasabi porket natalo si pacman, men mahiya kayo sa mga sinasabi nyo..you guys are bad

      Reply
  5. robin rubina Avatar
    robin rubina

    “That’s the game. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.” – Manny Pacquiao Dec. 8, 2012

    Reply
  6. clar ongchangco Avatar
    clar ongchangco

    it is was it is,its not faith its not about god

    Reply
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  8. Teresita F-Lozada Avatar
    Teresita F-Lozada

    it’s a test of character indeed and Manny passed the test with flying colors!!! manny is still a winner in that regard. congratulations manny pacquiao “the greatness of a man is in accepting defeat gracefully.”

    Reply
    1. bebotski0811 Avatar
      bebotski0811

      Well said Teresita…

      Reply
  9. timmie Avatar
    timmie

    Its not how many times you fall..It’s how many times you stand after you fall..I’m just glad Manny is ok..and besides all that..he still continues to Glorifying God.

    Reply
  10. Mimi Maderazo Avatar
    Mimi Maderazo

    Yes, as a Filipino, pasalamat tayo sa kay Manny sa pagtayo niya nang bandila natin. But sa daming tao na nakausap ko, it has something to do with his faith too. We noticed really a change in his routine before the fight.
    Since his fight with Bradley we all knew that he won this fight but with the judges decision it came out talo siya. I think it was a wake up call for him already. Hindi masyado masakit ang pagkatalo niya since it was the judges who favored Bradley. This we noticed that his routine rosary around his neck and to be removed by Boboy before the fight was missing.
    the making the sign of the cross several times during the fight was gone. Naging mayabang silang familia, from Mommy Dionesia, Jinkee and Manny. They were grandeous and greedy. It was the day of the Immaculate Conception Sat. 12/08/2012, which the whole family adored before. The Holy Spirit was not with him anymore, that during the fight he was too careless and could not make a good decision to evade the opponent.
    Well, Manny during your fights before except for the last 2 the Holy Spirit was always with you to guide you and enlighten your mind for the right moves to win a fight. Those who have no belief on this, excuse my comment and just let it go…I am just speaking for a lot of those who have faith in HIM “THE ALMIGHTY”.

    Reply
    1. Ronie Avatar
      Ronie

      WHAAAAAATTTTTTT??????????……….. DO YOU REALLY MEAN HE LOST BECAUSE HE DIDN’T DO THE ROSARY AND SIGN OF THE CROSS AND ETC??????????
      THEN HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE BEST FIGHTER OF ALL TIME NAMED MUHAMMAD ALI BECOME WHO IS AN ISLAM? Stop making nonsense and childish comments. PLUS YOU ADDED THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NOT WITH HIM ANYMORE! WAAAAAAAAA… WHO ARE YOU? JESUS? HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT? AND HOW CAN YOU JUDGE MANNY WITH THAT BOLD STATEMENT? I can’t believe why you and “other” people can say that.. THIS IS SPORTS! NOT A RELIGION ISSUE! Sometimes you win, sometimes you LOSE.. it just show that Manny is not SUPERMAN! Well even superheroes in movies will also experience defeat, how much more in real life?
      Cmon people wake up! We celebrated and so proud of Manny during his victories, why can’t we support and encourage him during his lost?
      If you ask me the reason why Manny lost? It is all about the difference of their TRAINING! that’s all. Let us not forget to give credit to JMMarquez, he did train as hell……. 4and 1/2 months of training vs Manny’s 1month. That’s it. and not about religion..

      Reply
      1. Sheng Avatar
        Sheng

        Couldn’t agree more!

      2. Moxie Avatar
        Moxie

        You are right,Ronnie. Its not about God not behind him. HE DID NOT PREPARE AS HARD. PERIOD.

      3. Moxie Avatar
        Moxie

        You are right,Ronnie. Its not about God not behind him. HE DID NOT PREPARE. PERIOD.

        Over confident as he said. Anyway he still get paid win or lose. The question is what is important now to him? WINNING OR JUST THE MONEY.

        Losing is what happens when the goal is already the money. If you want to be truly successful in life, look beyond the money. Look at the glory. This is what make anyone, whether person or institution truly lasts.

    2. Mo Hechanova Avatar
      Mo Hechanova

      I beg to disagree. Religion doesn’t really matter.
      God will never judge us according to our religion.
      Doing the sign of the cross and wearing the rosary doesn’t mean anything to God.
      Religion and faith are not the same.
      We can be religious but lack faith. Religion is based on laws and traditions while
      faith is based on how we perceive God.

      So the question is, how can we truly know God? Is it by following these traditions, rituals and laws?
      To know God, we need to have a personal relationship with HIM.
      God doesn’t really care on what we can do for HIM, He cares on
      what we do WITH HIM. He is GOD, what can we do that He hasn’t done?

      So before we make such comments regarding religion and faith, let’s think and reflect.
      I am not a bible scholar, and most of all I am not a perfect christian. Let us remind ourselves, whether we are
      a christian or a catholic that we serve the same God. Christianity is not about traditions, laws and rituals.
      Too much familiarity made us forget, what Christianity is really all about…

      Christianity is and will always be about HIM, Jesus Christ.

      Before I end this so called “RANT”.

      Let me quote these bible passages :

      *Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 18:12 – NIV)

      *for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. (Proverbs 24:16 – NIV)

      KUDOS Manny Pacquiao…Win or Lose…You have earned my respect…

      God Bless to you and your family…KEEP THE FAITH bro

      Reply
      1. p Avatar
        p

        Mo

        God and religion are man-made. So is heaven, so is hell. Give me a clear description of what heaven is. How many rooms? What do souls so there? Do souls sleep there? What age would be your soul?

        No answer? That because none has actually proven there is one int he first place!!!!

        My faith says that the sun is made out of cheese and milk. No one can argues my faith because it is my faith and I believe it is true. Of course we all know that it’s not. Therefore faith doesn’t necessarily means fact.

        Not all people have religion nor believe in God.

        Read non-fictional books next time. Harry potter and Bible = are both modern and ancient fictional books. Read science books ok?

        Boxing is a sport. People win and lose all the time.

  11. plong basit of gensan Avatar
    plong basit of gensan

    sana maging mapagmatyag si manny sa mga taong nasa palibot nya, mga taong hangad lamang ay magkamal nang salapi. hindi naman lahat may mga iilan, walang pakialam kung ano kay manny basta magkapera lng sila. masakit para sa mga na talo sa pustahan , pero dapat nating tangapin na kihit anung laban na kaharapin may mananalo at natatalo basta ba patas ang labanan madaling tangapin ngunit kng niluko ka kaya ka natalo ibang usapan na yan, para kay manny saludo ako sa kababaang loob nya kahit alam nyang inapakan ang paa nya kaya siya tinamaan wala parin siyang sinasabi sa medya

    Reply
  12. Dahlia Tomas Avatar
    Dahlia Tomas

    Manny Pacquiao… Your TRUE VICTORY is in JESUS!
    Eph 6:12: For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

    Reply
  13. cindi Avatar
    cindi

    it is a LESSON IN HUMILITY…it is in failures and disappointments that we see more of God.. it is during these times that God is truly working in his life. What good would it do if he gains the whole world (fame, riches and glory) but loses his soul? ..it is ignorance that thinks he lost because he didn’t do sign of the cross(?!).., c’mon now!..We should continue to praise God because God’s plan is the perfect will.

    Reply
  14. Moxie Avatar
    Moxie

    Right, Pastor Paolo. He lost because he doesn’t pray the rosary anymore. Wow! Did it ever occur to them that Manny didn’t really prepare as hard? Next question is what is in his heart these days? Is it still about winning the game or something else? God knows what it is. And I believe that if you have pure intentions He is behind you.

    I doesn’t matter if he lost and did his best. I believe that for someone younger by 6 yrs, you have a much better chance had you prepared harder than Marquez. If you still have the fire inside to win, you will win. But watching him play yesterday and the one in May, Manny is no longer as hungry as Marquez anymore. Sad.

    Reply
  15. Think On Things Lovely « Focus Avatar
    Think On Things Lovely « Focus

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  16. cgc Avatar
    cgc

    “..The most interesting ones are those that credit his loss to his faith in God. That one, I don’t understand…”

    ..but if he won, they will probably credit his win to God and his faith in God, and you would understand, right?

    Reply
  17. p Avatar
    p

    marami pa talagang pinoy ang tanga… blaming boxing and natural calamities as a sign of god’. haaaay there is no hope for us! sabagay, pinoy are not known to be bright people. hangang dyan nalang cguro ang brain capacity ng mga masa. I am so staying in england!!!!!

    Reply
    1. SuperSawsaw Avatar
      SuperSawsaw

      So, matalino ka kaya ka nandyan s London? Yung mgs pinoy na nasa pinas, hanggang doon n lang? Masa. Low brain capacity.

      Can’t you be more matapobre than that?

      Hindi dahil may ilang miyembro ng masa na baluktot mag-isip eh ganun na lahat ng masa.

      Reply
  18. Alfredo III Avatar
    Alfredo III

    Amen!

    Reply
  19. Lady L. Ignacio-Christian Avatar
    Lady L. Ignacio-Christian

    Amen to that Pao! Glad I found your site and well said about Manny’s faithfulness– we are all true Champion already in God’s sight (never mind) no matter what they say…

    Reply

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