On the eve of the Agbeko-Darchinyan world title fight, this writer recalled when Nigel Collins, editor-in-chief of The Ring Magazine, visited Manny Pacquiao in his suite and presented the Jr. Welterweight Ring Belt to him, being the current top man in that division. Pacquiao won this Ring Belt in May 2nd from the Englishman Ricky “the Hitman” Hatton. The belt ceremony incident occurred last June 13, 2009 at the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan after coordinating with publicist Fred Sternburg and adviser Michael Koncz with lawyer Franklin Gacal during the PacMan’s most recent trip to the big apple. It was one of PacMan’s shinning moments.
In addition to his current status as pound per pound best boxer in the world, Manny Pacquiao is considered the undisputed champion of the 140 lbs. division. There were no sanction fees due for the belt and Ring Champions should lose their title when they are defeated in a fight, retired or moved to a different weight class. The Ring Magazine is esteemed as the “bible of boxing.”
According to Mr. Nigel Collins, a very pleasant boxing guru, this was Pacquiao’s 3rd Ring Championship Belt, which is a truly remarkable achievement.
In March 2004, Mr. Collins traveled to the Philippines to honor Pacquiao The Ring Championship Belt inside the Malacanang Palace, the official residence of the President of the Philippines. Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo hosted the event that was attended by many journalists and media personalities. Mr. Collins told us that he rates his trip to Manila as one of the most memorable experiences during his entire career as a boxing writer.
Manny Pacquiao earned the 1st one as a Featherweight when he defeated Marco Antonio “Baby Faced Assassin” Barrera in November of 2003. He earned his 2nd Ring Belt as Jr. Light Weight when he won via split decision, over another Mexican legend, Juan Manual “Dinamita” Marquez in March of 2008.
Mr. Collins told this writer that it was extremely rare for a boxer to earn 3 Ring Belts in 3 different weight divisions. He praised Pacquiao for being ring savvy and stated he was amazed at how much his right hand has improved thru the years despite being a southpaw, now having a devastating right hook, which was responsible for knocking down Ricky Hatton in the first round. Pacquiao delivered a perfectly timed left hook that KO’ed Hatton in the 2 min 59 sec of round two, hence ending the match in a brutal, shocking fashion.
“I am honored to receive the Ring Belt and I will proudly display it whenever I can,” Pacquiao later remarked.
Mr. Collins told Pacquiao, “I came to your “after-party” at the Mandalay Bay Hotel following the Hatton fight hoping to see you sing. Too bad, when I got there, you had already gone.” Pacquiao smiled and told him, “Next time, next time…maybe, you’ll see me sing again.”
Top photo: Like a public servant running for an office, Nigel Collins (L) raised BWAA 2008 Fighter of the Year Manny Pacquiao’s arm as a sign of victory after he accepted his 3rd Ring Championship Belt. (Photo by Dr. Allan Recto).
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