DENVER—There were only two people profiled on the still massively popular CBS TV newsweekly magazine “60 Minutes” Sunday night.
One was embattled President Barack Obama, who used a boxing analogy in discussing the recent electoral disaster and other failures suffered in the first two years of his term by he and the Democratic Party.
Obama said dealing with economic and other turmoil was a “hard, long slog” and that “I will get knocked down a couple of times.”
Obama was interviewed by reporter Steve Kroft and the softball questions were nonexistent.The second piece on the program was far friendler.
It was veteran reporter Bob Simon's gee whiz profile of the boxing, social and political wonder that is Manny Pacquiao.
The lead in, voiced by Simon, called Pacman “...quite simply, the best boxer in the world today...”
I wonder how that was received at the Floyd Mayweather Big Boy Mansion in Las Vegas?
Simon said Pacman walks to the ring as though he “is going to dance, not to a duel...as though he's has not a care in the world...”
To which Pacquiao said, impishly, “That's me, I'm always smiling.”
Dutiful promoter Bob Arum, who knows where his balut is salted and buttered said Pacman is “the best fighter, better than Muhammad Ali, who I promoted 25 times, because he was essentially a one-handed fighter...”
Then came the familiar recitation to fight fans, but brand new to most American watching the show which came on as soon as the NFL Oakland Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs with a field goal in overtime, of Manny's humble beginnings in General Santos City.
It was reported that he was one of six children and that he first donned boxing gloves for a reward of 100 pesos or about two US dollars.
Simon said that Pacman stowed away on a ferry boat to get to Manila at age 14 and that he was just 98 pounds for his first bout but weighted down his pockets to make the 105 pound lowest weight class requirement.
Pacquiao was only 16 then.
Coach Freddie Roach was asked if he knew how great Pacman's potential was upon first viewing at the Wild Card Gym.
“Yes, that first time...because he had so much explosion on his punches that it was like gunfire,” Roach said.
Sardonically, Simon asked how Manny felt about busting up the face of handsome Oscar de la Hoya.
“That's boxing, it is part of the game,” a beaming broadly Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao said his real goals and ambitions now lie in “public service” because he's already achieved so many dreams in the ring.
As expected, the clincher was Simon asking if Megamanny harbored presidential aspirations in the Philippines.
Of course, Manny beamed even more broadly.
“It's hard to have a comment right now,” Congressman Pacquiao said, “it is so far away.”
Simon could have quit there but he then asked the Pinoy Idol who he felt is the greatest boxer ever.
The imp appeared on screen, beaming ever more broadly.
“Including me?” Pacquiao asked, playfully. “...Me.”
I felt that Obama did well under trying circumstances but I gave this round to Pacquiao.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
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