Boxing: The perfect allegory to "Mexico's moment has come"

Newly inducted Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto declared during his investiture that “The moment has come for Mexico.” The aphorism is a strongly received message, considering the country is touted as the inheritor of Brazil’s impressive economic standing.

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Mexico is known less for its achievements than its domestic problems. This is the chip on its emerging image as a world power. One suspects this somehow diminishes its strong showing in other fields, like sports and its feisty cultural heritage. The extent to which these fields have been bolstered is also a good performance indicator. Based on this, Mexico could reaffirm its global importance.

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Not too many outside of diehard boxing fans know Mexico as the country that has produced the most number of boxing champions. Juan Manuel Marquez’s recent shocker over world champion Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao revived the Latin American country’s historical dominance in the sport.

Mexico as a boxing haven is not a mere empirical assertion, but a flashy cultural truth. Mexican boys dream of being champion boxers the way Venezuelan girls eye a Miss Universe crown. Amateur boxing gloves are regular seventh-birthday gifts. And men rush to the streets to celebrate the wins of their top dogs, in the manner that European football fans express their mania.

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There are probably some facets to Mexico unmarred by its image as a land with unsparing poverty and rabid violence from drug trafficking and organized crime. Playing up these strengths shouldn’t be an unwelcome economic move, either.

Enrique Pena Nieto officially took over the Mexican Presidency last December 1. Get glimpses and updates on his mandate by following this Twitter page.