MANILA, Philippines — Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao was “touched” by the gratitude showed by newly crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Victor Ortiz.
Ortiz, who dethroned Haiti’s Berto over the weekend, earlier cited Pacquiao’s role in his WBC title victory.
Pacquiao’s wife, Jinkee, said the Filipino champion greatly appreciated Ortiz?s gesture.
?Na-touch din daw siya (Pacquiao) nang pasalamatan siya ni Ortiz after the latter won over (Andre) Berto to crown himself the new WBC welterweight champion. Sabi ni Manny nakakataba daw ng puso ang pasasalamat na ginawa ni Ortiz,? Jinkee said in Philboxing.com.
Jinkee said she, too, was thrilled after reading Ortiz?s statements in the papers.
?Me, I also felt happy reading in the newspapers na pinuri ang asawa ko ng kapwa niya boxer na malamang ay makalaban pa niya in the future,? she said.
Jinkee said Ortiz’s words of gratitude will inspire Pacquiao as he prepares for his May 7 fight against Shane Mosley.
“Kung na-inspire daw si Ortiz sa advice ni Manny before his fight, his (Ortiz?s) statement will also serve as an inspiration to Manny sa training hanggang sa laban niya kay Mosley,? the celebrity wife said.
Shortly after defeating Berto, Ortiz revealed that he received a few tips from Pacquiao going into the fight.
?He (Pacquiao) said that I?m more powerful than he (Berto) is; I?m as quick if not quicker than he is, so I (should) just stick to my game plan and listen to my coaches,” he said.
?I just did as he said and listened to my coaches and here we are with the green belt,? Ortiz added.
Moral support for Manny
Meanwhile, Jinkee left for Los Angeles, California Tuesday night to join her husband.
She said Pacquiao wanted her around as he prepares for his bout against Mosley set next month.
?I was supposed to leave next week pa para sumunod sa L.A. pero napilitan kaming mag-rebook for tomorrow after receiving call from Manny yesterday? Miss na miss na raw niya kami ng mga anak niya at binilinan niya akong lumipad na sa lalong madaling panahon,? Jinkee said.
Jinkee is flying aboard a Philippine Airlines plane with her twin sister Janet Jamora.
The Pacman’s wife said she has to give moral support to her husband and help alleviate his homesickness.
?Siyempre, ako naman, as his wife, I have to submit to his wishes. ?Yun lang naman talaga ang magagawa ng isang kabiyak. Mahirap naman talaga ang boksingero, kapag may laban, naiiwan ang pamilya. Kaya kahit ako lang, kailangan pumunta para kahit paaano, mabawasan ang kalungkutan niya,? she said.
The couple?s four children will be left in the country because of school.
?Hindi na. Bakasyon ngayon at mas ma-e-enjoy nila ang summer dito. Malamig ngayon sa U.S., kasi spring pa. At saka if we?re not vacationing as a family, hindi talaga namin isinasama ang mga bata,? she said.
Pacquiao is in the crucial weeks of his preparation for his welterweight defense match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
