Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao

"Humility, grace, compassion, and empathy can coexist with the heart of a warrior."

Since the fight, I've come across quite a few articles about how Manny Pacquiao's character transcends the sport of boxing and reaches every person regardless of whether or not you follow the sport or not...and really, I couldn't agree more. He's arguably the best boxer of all time and his show of humility and compassion during a time where he could have been heartless really touched a lot of people, including myself. Had it been the other way around, I really question if the outcome would have been the same.

After all that people have (and continue to say about him), after that video leaked of Margarito & Rios mocking Freddie Roach's Parkinson's disease, after all the cheap game that Margarito and his camp have been talking (and everyone before him for that matter)... I can't help but admire the fact that Manny is still so humble that he can separate himself from the stardom and success and be true to himself and his values. I admire humility and compassion most in people, so when I see someone as revered as he is, realize his purpose and commitment to people by viewing boxing solely as entertainment and a way to make people happy, man I can't help but see him as a great example of a great person.

He could have beat Margarito up more than he already did, he could have knocked him out in the 12th round but his simple statement that boxing wasn't about killing each other, speaks volumes on his character. I'm SO GLAD that people are starting to highlight Manny Pacquiao as a person beyond the boxer. Not to mention, he continued to go on to say that he planned on going back to the Philippines to do his job as a public servant. Damn, not even a congressman, but a public servant. We need more people like him.

I guess it just means a lot to me because there aren't that many people who have become mainstream public icons that are so genuinely humbled by their achievements and are so candid about it in times where they could so easily gloat. 

 Too much ego can kill your talent and that most definitely was proven during this fight.