THE Manila government will rename one of the city?s sports centers after boxing idol Manny Pacquiao who beat Mexican ring legend Erik ?El Terrible? Morales in their much-awaited rematch last Sunday in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The San Andres Sports Complex and Civic Center in Malate will be renamed Manny Pacquiao Sports Center, said Mayor Lito Atienza, adding that they are in the process of preparing a rousing welcome for the city?s adopted son when he comes home later this week.
?Our humble tribute to our boxing hero will serve as a continuing inspiration to all city residents, especially the youth, to be the best they can possibly be as shown by Pacquiao over and over again,? he said in a statement.
The San Andres Sports Complex has been the site of various sports activities in Manila, including boxing matches. Sunday?s ?Pacquiao vs Morales III: The Grand Finale? was also shown live on big screens inside the center for free.
Thousands of residents watched the much-awaited super featherweight bout that took place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight was also aired live in other venues in Manila like the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Coliseum and Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium for free.
Manila Sports Council chair Arnold Atienza added that Pacquiao had long offered to help in the city government?s sports programs.
?Having him help train our young boxers will definitely boost our boxing program in the city,? the young Atienza added.
Earlier, the Manila government said a state-of-the-art boxing gymnasium would rise at the city-owned Boys Town Complex in Marikina City to help aspiring young Filipino boxers.
?The city government is embarking on an ambitious program to discover and develop future Filipino world boxing champions like Manny,? Atienza said, adding that boxing ?scholars? would be chosen from street children or those who come from poor families.
