AND THE PACMAN WINS AGAIN!!

I've always been a Manny Pacquiao Fan, not just because he wins all he time, but because he got to where he is now because of hard work and perseverance... even before the big paychecks started coming in, the commercials, the cars, the mansions, the controversy, at the heart of it all he still is and will be an athlete, and that I respect.

Being an athlete is no joke, as it takes a huge toll and difference in how you live your life. You train, you're away from family most of the time, you put yourself on the line everytime you compete, and the money doesn't come until your famous.

Being a recreational athlete, I understand what it means to be committed, to schedule your life around your training days, the mindset in following and executing a training plan, the pain of training, having bad or OFF days which make you want to walk away, the excitement of competing, the humbling experience of admitting when to quit, choosing your battles (in this case, battling with your own mind and body - like talking to your feet and knees telling them not to give up on you when they so want to) and simply just doing the work because in the end you only have yourself to blame.

Back to Pacquiao, he put up a huge fight. He tried his best and came close when we all thought he was about to knock Marquez out. I jumped with joy inside the movie house because I thought that was the end of it. I also noticed Marquez too seeing how he became a better fighter, being very smart inside the ring, and showing just how good he is too. Seeing that last round, there was a fine line between who was the better boxer. They were both exceptional.

In the end, with Pacquiao winning and Marquez losing his title, the one thing that remains are these athletes are still at the top of their game. They earned the right to be in that ring, competing with only the best. And that I respect more than anything else.