M

anny Pacquiao’s win over Antonio Margarito was one of the few world title fights we’ve been privileged to see over the past 15 years, since former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson left the fight game.

If Singapore’s boxing fans were to witness the peak of any fighter’s career in the post-Tyson era, Manny Pacquiao’s was the right one to choose.

Anyone who has seen the Filipino speak in a television interview will be taken aback by his altruism and entirely disarmed by his gentle demeanor. Such are the traits that divorce him from the brutal reality of boxing, propel him to hero status in his home country and form the foundation for a post-boxing career in politics.

Pacquiao at 31 has already begun that career, having been elected as a congressman to the House of Representatives. It was widely thought that politics would be Pacquiao’s main concern beyond 2011, with just one fight left to cap what is already being heralded as among the most illustrious of careers at any weight, at any time.

That one fight was to be against Floyd Mayweather, an American with a mouth the antithesis of Pacquiao’s, but a style that could very well beat him. Mayweather is unbeaten in his 41 professional fights, has knocked out more than 60 per cent of his opponents, is comparatively inactive but extremely talented.

His balance, movement and speed are awe-inspiring to those who enjoy the sweeter protagonists of the sport, while his punching power satisfies those who seek the violence that underwrites every match ever.

The match with “Money May” was supposed to have taken place by now. But doubts over Mayweather’s readiness for Pacquiao and appetite to have his perfect record threatened saw it cancelled, amid spurious claims from the American that Pacquiao was using illegal performance enhancing substances.

By now though, it has already got to the stage, even in the US, where the feeling is that Mayweather needs Pacquiao far more than the other way around.

Having now won 10 world titles in an unprecedented eight different weight categories, Pacquiao’s last few performances have showcased an intensity of two-handed accuracy, not seen since the great light-welterweight Aaron Pryor reached the top of his game in the early 1980s.

Apart from his two super fights with Nicaraguan Alexis Arguello, Pryor never fulfilled his enormous potential, suffering from poor out-of-the-ring choices and insufficient opponents of any worth.

Pacquiao is handicapped by neither restriction. His entourage returned to the Philippines in mid-November after a buzz saw-like performance saw him destroy the much taller and heavier Margarito, whose reach — so important in boxing — exceeded his own by a full 10 centimeters.

After receiving a congressional medal for a second time, Pacquiao delighted boxing fans around the world by stating that although his career would end in the not too distant future, he might continue for up to another three years.

That’s plenty of time for Mayweather to get himself ready for the challenge, although as he’ll be 34 in February, any urgency to get the fight signed must surely come from the American.

In 20 years time, the world will look back on Manny Pacquiao as an all-time great, while Asia and specifically the Philippines, will look back with enormous pride.

Enjoy the here and now, while you still can.

Steve Dawson presents boxing and other sports news on SportsCenter, every weekday night at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on ESPN, and is also the author of How to be The Greatest Like Muhammad Ali, to be published in the new year