| |
|
Philippine president, Malaysian PM at Pacquiao fight ringside
By Edwin G. Espejo PhilBoxing.com Sun, 15 Jul 2018
KUALA LUMPUR ? Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is among the very important personalities who will be at the ringside when Manny Pacquiao, a senator in his home country, tries to wrest the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight crown from Argentinian champion Lucas Mathysse later this morning.
President Duterte arrived her late last night in what his presidential photographer King Rodriguez said is a ?private trip?.
Duterte has reportedly met with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohammad who will join him at the ringside.
It will be the first time two head of states will be watching a world boxing championship fight. If the heads of state of Papua New Guinea and Singapore will also watch the fight, which was likewise reported, it will be a politically star-studded boxing match.
Seating arrangements at the VIP section was hastily re-organized with some tickets recalled to accommodate the entourage of both Duterte and Mahathir who is expected to arrive minutes ahead of the main event.
The Philippine president has declined requests for interviews, stating his arrival is not an official function but upon the request of Pacquiao.
Although Pacquiao supported former Vice President Jejomar Binay during the 2016 elections, he has maintained his friendship with Duterte and has become one of the president?s staunchest allies at the Philippine Senate.
Duterte also watched Pacquiao?s fight against Thai Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym at the RMC Gym in Davao City.
Duterte is expected to immediately fly back to Manila after the fight.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Edwin G. Espejo.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Towns vs. Bordin for PAT Belt; De Barbo, Nancholas, Samiei in Supporting Bouts at Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Pattaya Beach, Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026YOENIS TELLEZ TRAINING CAMP QUOTES , Fri, 20 Mar 2026Lebron James ties the most game played in NBA history By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026Pichay supports GM Antonio's Australian chess circuit campaign By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026LIDDARD-DENNY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S COPPER BOX FIGHT NIGHT , Fri, 20 Mar 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: The WBC Continues the Fight for the Good of the Sport By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026AMMO: ADAMES FIGHT WILL BE EXPLOSIVE , Fri, 20 Mar 2026Carlos De Leon Training Camp Notes , Fri, 20 Mar 2026The Highly Anticipated Box Fan Expo Invitational 2026 Returns with A USA Boxing Amateur Show , Fri, 20 Mar 2026Placibe, Sales tops Sprint Challenge By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 20 Mar 2026Lester Martinez vs. Immanuwel Aleem Los Angeles Media Day Quotes , Thu, 19 Mar 2026MAPUA, PSKAI R-10 to play in Best of Best By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 19 Mar 2026IIEE Metro East dominates the 4th D’ Engineers’ Darts Cup 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 19 Mar 2026LIDDARD: WHY I'M RUNNING MATCHROOM HALF MARATHON AFTER TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST DENNY , Thu, 19 Mar 2026Press Conference Notes: DAZN and Top Rank Sign Multi-Year Rights Deal , Thu, 19 Mar 2026DAZN and Top Rank announce a landmark multi-year media rights deal bringing elite events and a storied archive to DAZN users worldwide , Thu, 19 Mar 2026Sampson Boxing Signs Top Junior Lightweight Contender Charly Suarez to a Promotional Contract , Thu, 19 Mar 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 MARCH 2026: Collazo Stops Haro; Fundora KO Ruiz; Barboza Outpoints Sims; Cacace UD Dickens By Eric Armit, , Wed, 18 Mar 2026Tapales Near Peak Form Ahead of April 3 Tokyo Showdown with Oguni , Wed, 18 Mar 2026MILLER AND PERO CLASH IN HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN IN LAS VEGAS ON APRIL 25 , Wed, 18 Mar 2026Middleweight Championship Battle Between (C) Khamzat Chimaev and (#3) Sean Strickland Headlines UFC® 328 at Prudential Center Live on Paramount+ , Wed, 18 Mar 2026Sampson Lewkowicz & TM Boxing Sign Undefeated Mexican Prospect José Ángel Guerrero to Co-Promotional Deal , Wed, 18 Mar 202612-Time World Champion & Hall of Famer James Toney Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Wed, 18 Mar 2026Five stitches for Donaire’s cut By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 17 Mar 2026Roberto Gomez Training Camp Notes , Tue, 17 Mar 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|