Filipino fighters fighting to be like Manny Pacquiao

May 5, 2015

Filipino fighters fighting to be like Manny Pacquiao

Kalani Gordon 0 Comment The Baltimore Sun

Manny Pacquiao’s rise from crushing poverty to global fame and fortune has inspired a whole generation of Filipino fighters, who look up to his legend as their dream and boxing as a ticket out of harsh lives and uncertainties.

: In this April 22, 2015, photo, Filipino boxer Rolly Macaso trains on a punching bag at a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 22, 2015, photo, Filipino boxer Rolly Sumalpong, right, lands a punch on Robert Landero during their training at a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Many young Filipinos aspire to become successful boxers throughout the country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 22, 2015, photo, a worn punching bag hangs at the training area where Filipino boxers practice at a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Many young boxers look to boxing as a ticket out of harsh lives and uncertainties. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 22, 2015, photo, boxing equipment hangs at a dormitory where young Filipino boxers stay during training in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Manny Pacquiao’s rise from crushing poverty to global fame and fortune has inspired a whole generation of Filipino fighters, who look up to his legend as their dream and boxing as a ticket out of harsh lives and uncertainties. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 22, 2015, photo, Filipino boxing promoter and trainer Gabriel Elorde Jr., center, trains boxers at his boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Manny Pacquiao’s rise from crushing poverty to global fame and fortune has inspired a whole generation of Filipino fighters, who look up to his legend as their dream and boxing as a ticket out of harsh lives and uncertainties. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 21, 2015, photo, Filipino boxer Meljun Penapin, right, removes his shoes at a dormitory where they stay during training in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Many young Filipinos aspire to become successful boxers in the country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 22, 2015, photo, Filipino boxer Silvestre Lopez sits beside his trophies at a dormitory where they stay during training in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 22, 2015, photo, a Filipino boxer wears a jacket as he sits underneath a mat to help him make weight for his upcoming bout at a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 22, 2015, photo, Filipino boxer Rolly Macaso, left, and Joemarie Noynay practice in front of a mirror during their training at a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 21, 2015, photo, Filipino boxer, Joemarie Noynay, 19, poses inside a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Noynay, who has won eight fights in the super bantamweight division, said, “I sometimes think of the hardships, but I tell myself, if Pacquiao can do it, I can do it, too…. I just need to train hard and pray to the Lord to realize my dreams and the dreams of my family.” (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) In this April 21, 2015, photo, Filipino boxer, Joemarie Noynay, 19, poses inside a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Noynay, who has won eight fights in the super bantamweight division, said, “I sometimes think of the hardships, but I tell myself, if Pacquiao can do it, I can do it, too…. I just need to train hard and pray to the Lord to realize my dreams and the dreams of my family.” (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 21, 2015, photo, Filipino boxer Meljun Penapin poses with his worn-out boxing gloves inside a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Penapin, 19, a boxer who has also been a barbecue vendor, a construction laborer, a bakery helper and a fisherman, said, “I want to be a champion like Pacquiao… I was thinking that maybe I will be lucky. With such a hard life, maybe I will find my way of living here.” (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) In this April 21, 2015, photo, Filipino boxer Meljun Penapin poses with his worn-out boxing gloves inside a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Penapin, 19, a boxer who has also been a barbecue vendor, a construction laborer, a bakery helper and a fisherman, said, “I want to be a champion like Pacquiao… I was thinking that maybe I will be lucky. With such a hard life, maybe I will find my way of living here.” (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 22, 2015, photo, Filipino boxer Rolly Macaso poses inside a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Macaso, 21, a former laborer and baker who once scavenged garbage heaps for recyclables, and now hopes boxing leads him to a better life, said. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 21, 2015, photo, retired Filipino boxer and now trainer William Develos poses inside his boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Develos, 58, said, “In training, you are already being made to suffer so that it will be easier for you when the time comes.” (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) In this April 21, 2015, photo, retired Filipino boxer and now trainer William Develos poses inside his boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Develos, 58, said, “In training, you are already being made to suffer so that it will be easier for you when the time comes.” (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 21, 2015, photo, retired Filipino boxer and now trainer Melvin Magramo poses in front of a picture of Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao inside their boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Magramo, 44, a former World Boxing Organization flyweight champion who lost to Pacquiao by decision in a 10-round, non-title fight in 1997, said, “The number of our (boxing) students has been increasing along with the popularity of Pacquiao… It was God who put him where he is now.” (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 21, 2015, photo, retired Filipino boxer and now trainer Rexon Flores poses inside a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Flores, 33, said, ìThey all want to be champions … but the most important thing is to not be swell-headed. If you become swell-headed, your boxing skills will suffer. You will just fool around and you will lose focus on boxing. “Discipline is primary. If you don’t have discipline, all your dreams will just flow away like water.” (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)In this April 21, 2015, photo, retired Filipino boxer and now trainer Rexon Flores poses inside a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Flores, 33, said, ìThey all want to be champions … but the most important thing is to not be swell-headed. If you become swell-headed, your boxing skills will suffer. You will just fool around and you will lose focus on boxing. “Discipline is primary. If you don’t have discipline, all your dreams will just flow away like water.” (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

: In this April 22, 2015, photo, a Filipino boxer waits for his turn to spar during training at a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Many young boxers remain hopeful, despite the long odds, thousands of body blows and dreams of rival boxers that stand in their way. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) In this April 22, 2015, photo, a Filipino boxer waits for his turn to spar during training at a boxing gym in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila, Philippines. Many young boxers remain hopeful, despite the long odds, thousands of body blows and dreams of rival boxers that stand in their way. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

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