GIVE ME one reason why he should go on fighting,” Freddie Roach demanded.

Roach, a shoo-in for his fourth Trainer of the Year plum (after making rival Floyd Mayweather Sr. look silly and unworthy) was not directing his statement at the devastated English boxing star Ricky Hatton.

Roach said Hatton should be the first one to know that there was no reason for him to stay a single day longer in the ring.

There was also no response to Roach’s demand, so he promptly provided one.

“Knockouts like that are not good for anybody,” Roach explained.

Roach did not say it, but it was his way of warning Hatton that a second cold stoppage could be more tragic, if not finally fatal for the victim.

* * *

The devastation of Hatton was brief and complete that they’ve stopped asking what went wrong.

Everything went wrong, totally wrong for the mercilessly mangled English Hitman.

Yes, everything went perfectly right for Manny Pacquiao.

But, unlike in Hatton’s case, fans continue to seek the secret behind the Pacman’s latest epic success.

At least, they no longer have to send out a team of holiday detectives to zero in on the big thing.

The secret, reveals famous election lawyer Romy Macalintal, was Pacquiao’s “Gentle and Caring Heart.”

* * *

Macalintal, a trusted Team Pacquiao insider, did a tiny treatise on the big win, portions of which we reprint:

* * *

“When Manny fought Oscar De La Hoya, I placed a loyalty bet of five dollars ($5) that he would stop the Golden Boy in either rounds 6, 7 or 8. Manny stopped De La Hoya in the 8th round and the odds were 22-1. So I won $110 for my $5 loyalty bet.

“In his fight versus Hatton, I placed a loyalty bet again for $5 that Manny would stop Hatton, between the first and the fourth round. Again, my loyalty on our champ earned me $95 for my $5 bet when he won in the second round. The odds were 19 to 1 if Manny wins in the second round by knockout.

* * *

“I’m indeed a petty bettor, but there’s one thing I can hugely bet on: It’s the fact that Manny has a golden heart. A sincere and concerned heart. A heart that cares.

“Before the fight on May 2, I attended the 10 a.m. Mass at the Events Center, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada. During the prayer of the faithful, the presiding priest asked Manny if he had any special prayer or offering. Manny obliged. And part of his prayer was: “Lord, sana kami pong mga lalaban sa gabing ito ay hindi masaktan, lalong lalo na po ang aking kalaban.”
And you could feel the sincerity in his prayer as he said it with his head bowed down in deep reflection. Yes, with full sincerity, he prayed for the safety of Hatton.

* * *

“Immediately after the Mass, Manny was escorted by his security back to his room in the The Hotel. As he passed by the hallway, our eyes met and I took the opportunity of wishing him the best: “Pare, good luck”. (I sometimes call him ‘Pare’ being one of the sponsors of his new bundle of joy, Queenie).

“Manny replied: “Pare, thank you” as he continued walking. But after a few steps he stopped and walked back to me and asked me: “Pare, OK ka, me ticket ka na?” And I said: “Yes, meron na, thank you.”

“I was deeply touched by his concern when he asked if I already had a ticket for the fight.

* * *

“Despite his very busy schedule, and just a few hours before his biggest fight, he still had the heart and time to think of my welfare.

“Now I can swear I know why Manny Pacquiao is so blessed. It is because of his gentle and caring heart. Just like his speed and power, his humility is beyond compare.”

Norwalk City, California