“Religiosity” caused boxing idol Manny Pacquiao’s loss on Saturday night in Las Vegas, a long-time boxing analyst said today.
“He’s more compassionate now. You know… reading the Bible and all those things,” sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielz said.
Pacquiao lost his World Boxing Organization’s welterweight title to American Timothy Bradley in a controversial split-decision in Las Vegas. A rematch between Pacquiao and Bradley has already been scheduled for November.
The “pound-for-pound” king’s new-found compassion had shown in his three previous wins, Nathanielz said, even while agreeing with many who saw the fight that Pacquiao should have won.
He said while Pacquiao had shown some fire in the first few rounds of Saturday’s fight (yesterday in the Philippines), the boxing champ didn’t sustain it.
“He’s a congressman now. He has lots of things in his mind… as a preacher, a Bible teacher. Somehow this adds conflict to his identity,” Nathanielz said.
He was quick to add, however, that he was glad Pacquiao still commands respect as the title holder in seven weight divisions in world boxing, despite the loss.
Pacquiao, who has been plagued with rumors of philandering, gambling and drinking, was asked to serve as a Bible ambassador in January.
During months of preparation and training for this fight, the boxer spent an equal amount of time in Bible-sharing sessions and preaching. By Ronald O. Reyes
Also published at ucanews.com
“He’s more compassionate now. You know… reading the Bible and all those things,” sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielz said.
Pacquiao lost his World Boxing Organization’s welterweight title to American Timothy Bradley in a controversial split-decision in Las Vegas. A rematch between Pacquiao and Bradley has already been scheduled for November.
The “pound-for-pound” king’s new-found compassion had shown in his three previous wins, Nathanielz said, even while agreeing with many who saw the fight that Pacquiao should have won.
He said while Pacquiao had shown some fire in the first few rounds of Saturday’s fight (yesterday in the Philippines), the boxing champ didn’t sustain it.
“He’s a congressman now. He has lots of things in his mind… as a preacher, a Bible teacher. Somehow this adds conflict to his identity,” Nathanielz said.
He was quick to add, however, that he was glad Pacquiao still commands respect as the title holder in seven weight divisions in world boxing, despite the loss.
Pacquiao, who has been plagued with rumors of philandering, gambling and drinking, was asked to serve as a Bible ambassador in January.
During months of preparation and training for this fight, the boxer spent an equal amount of time in Bible-sharing sessions and preaching. By Ronald O. Reyes
Also published at ucanews.com