They used to belittle Manny Pacquiao and even called him a “little fellow” or something to that effect, even if Hatton was taller a mere one or two inches. Even in news stories, they would always mention Hatton’s name first before Pacman’s, as if to drive home the point that their fighter is superior to the world’s most popular boxer at the moment. One soundbite for their fight also mentioned something like: “We can now prove who is the real best pound for pound fighter” or something like that, as if Hatton ever had a legitimate claim to such title if compared with Manny. My point is, the British people and Hatton’s camp in particular, did not have any respect for Manny and what he had achieved so far prior to the Hatton-Pacquiao fight. They were just so arrogant and feeling superior that when they fell, it was such a devastating and painful one.

Hatton did not pay attention to the fact that Manny has eliminated greater fighters than himself before he was put to sleep by Manny, and so, in his arrogance and self-conceit, he did not give everything he had to train himself properly for their fight. He did not show respect for his opponent and for this, he will always be remembered as the boxer who dreamt to reach the star and instead, slept on the canvass.

Filipinos around the world, learn from the British people. Avoid being cocky, arrogant and mayabang and let your work and accomplishments do the talking. Let us silently but consistently show our worth to the world by being the best, the most honest, the most hardworking – just like our champion Manny Pacquaio. At the end of the day, tayo ang kumakain ng bigas, kaya tayo dapat ang mas malakas, hehehe!