Last night, the boxing match that many are waiting for between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley occurred at MGM Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was seen by excited millions all over the world as another showcase of Manny Pacquiao’s boxing prowess versus an upcoming boxer, Tim Bradley.
However, the latest buzz in the boxing world after 12 gruelling rounds was how in the world Tim Bradley won and Manny Pacquiao lost especially when everyone knew and saw that the latter obviously won. Many reacted and cried foul. But the fact remains that there is always a winner and a loser in any boxing match.
First of all, let us give honor to whom honor is due as the final and sole decision was made by the judges that made Tim Bradley the winner of the match. Tim Bradley won the boxing match amidst many opposition to it. The rule was simple: the winner of the match was not by popular demand or clamour of the people but by the judge’s decision.
As for Manny Pacquiao, the anatomy of a real champion was observed after he lost the match. The fact is this: he may have lost the match and a belt but gained an impressive adulation as to his attitude of what a losing champion should be. Here’s a link that I believe summarized two things that Manny won in this match: http://www.productivepinoy.com/2012/06/two-things-manny-pacquiao-has-won Please take the time to read and be encouraged how Manny Pacquiao reacted positively that needs to be imitated by many of us.
Manny did not allow himself to become a SORE Loser but instead became an HONORABLE CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN in accepting defeat. He knew it was not the end (for there is a scheduled rematch in November) but an opportunity to give the Champion of champions the real credit He deserved in giving thanks to HIM even in such defeat.
Manny has been truly transformed by His Master Jesus Christ and to this we are grateful and proud of him as a genuine Ambassador of Jesus in this world. In my personal opinion, what Manny experienced last night can be paralleled to what Jesus Christ experienced at the Cross of Calvary. It might have looked like a defeat for many of His disciples to see Him hanged on a cross but we all knew today that it was not over, for after three days, Jesus Christ rose up from the grave and broke the power of death. Hallelujah!
Thus, let us remember clearly what the Scriptures said, “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again…” (Proverbs 24:16a, NLT)
To sum it all up: When our lives is in the hands of God, He will always have the final say-so (including a boxing match) to make us better vessels of His plan and purpose in our lives. When Manny gave thanks to God and acknowledge that God a greater purpose in all of this after his defeat, I believed that God was very much pleased with his attitude. At the end of the day, if God is pleased with our lives, this is all that matters even if the world is not.
God bless Manny Pacquiao and we look forward to many more victories to come in the ring and in your Christian journey!!
Aldrin Navo 