Who would ever think that Manny Pacquiao, caught in the thick of preparations for the biggest fight of his life, would still find time to call the Philippines in the middle of the night to assure he would take care of two unknown and unproven boxers who have been stalled in the US?

That question comes from North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Piñol, farmer, activist, boxing expert.

You’ve already heard all the big stories about the kindness of the reigning world pound-for-pound boxing king?

***

Please listen to what Piñol, a former newsman, had to report:

At about 3 p.m. on Nov. 2, with me and my family gathered in our old rural house not far from the tombs of our loved ones, I received an unregistered call.

First, it was his publicist Winchell Campos, then his lawyer Jeng Gacal, and finally, it was Manny Pacquiao himself who was speaking to me.

It was 12 midnight in Los Angeles, California.

***

“I’m sorry. I did not know they are still in the US. I thought they had gone home already,” Pacquiao, apologetic, told me.

He was referring to featherweight Glenn Gonzales and bantamweight Jundy Maraon, who were earlier signed up by Top Rank to a three-year contract and assured of at least four fights a year.

***

Since arriving in the US last April, Gonzales has had only one fight, a six-rounder he won at Planet Hollywood against Florida-based Robert da Luz.

Maraon, on the other hand, has yet to get a single fight.

“It’s too late for me to get them to fight in my undercard but I will ask Atty. Gacal to handle them starting now,” Pacquiao assured.

***

Pacquiao came to learn about the sad plight of Gonzales and Maraon through an article that appeared in www.philboxing.com and www.thepinoyboxers.com.

In that article, I was quoted as saying I had asked Top Rank to release the two boxers from their contractual obligations.

I wanted to bring the two very promising, albeit luckless, boxers back to the Philippines.

***

“(Michael) Koncz will no longer handle the boxers’ schedules. It will be Atty. Gacal who will talk to Top Rank about them from now on,” Manny said in response to my complaint that Koncz was interfering with the fight schedules of both Gonzales and Maraon.
Gonzales, 23, a featherweight who has a record of 7 wins, 4 KOs, and 1 draw, and Maraon, also 23, a bantamweight with a record of 10 wins, 8 KOs and 1 draw, signed up with Top Rank late last year on the recommendation of Manny Pacquiao himself.

***

Maraon and Gonzales, two of about a dozen outstanding boxers from Mindanao who belong to the Braveheart Boxing Club, are virtually unknown outside of the island.

However, when the two fighters arrived in the US, Koncz called me up to say that Top Rank and MP Promotions, Pacquiao’s promotional outfit, have an agreement that all Filipino boxers appearing in Top Rank cards must first be processed by MP Promotions.

***

Following a meeting with Manny Pacquiao, an arrangement on the purses—what percentage would go to MP Promotions—was reached.

Gonzales was given a fight on July 5.

Then everything suddenly stood still for my two fighters.

I have therefore decided to bring the two boys home so they could get back in the ring in the Philippines.

They have been inactive for quite a time.

***

Anyway, with that assuring call from Pacquiao close to midnight (in the US) on Nov. 2, things might yet turn for the better.

Meantime, my decision to bring Gonzales and Maraon home where they could take two or three fights before taking a crack at the Philippine titles in their respective divisions, stands.

Of course, I have to make this report to show my gratitude and admiration for Manny Pacquiao.

It’s this brand of humility and genuine concern for his countrymen that has made Pacquiao a champion for all seasons.