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Philippines, 01 Jul 2025 |
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TWO HEADS OF STATE MAY WATCH PACQUIAO FIGHT By Aquiles Z. Zonio PhilBoxing.com Fri, 13 Jul 2018  KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia ? Manny Pacquiao is set to make history as the only boxer who brings two heads of state together to watch a live boxing championship match. President Duterte is coming over here to show support to Pacquiao and an invitation was sent to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to watch the fight. On Thursday, Pacquiao paid a courtesy call to Malaysian Prime Minister at the Perdana Leadership Foundation Complex not only to pay respect but also to personally invite him to watch alongside Duterte his July 15 title showdown versus WBA Welterweight king Lucas Matthysse. Pacquiao sprang a birthday surprise for Mahathir who turned 93 on Tuesday. The boxer-senator from the Philippines gave the Malaysian Prime Minister a birthday cake and a pair of yellow boxing gloves. The duo held a closed-door meeting which lasted for about half an hour. Issues discussed during the meeting were not divulged to the members of the media. Pacquiao claimed he personally invited Mahathir to watch the fight, adding ?He (Mahathir) told me he would try his best.? This is not the first time that Malaysia played host to its fellow ASEAN-member country. Malaysian government under Mahathir brokered the peace process between the Philippines and the main Moro rebel group in Mindanao ? the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The Philippine Congress is about to wrap up the final version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), viewed as a just and long-lasting solution to an age-old Mindanao conflict. Pacquiao thanked Mahathir and the Malaysian government for playing host to the July 15 ?Fight of Champions,? the first ever international boxing event staged by his own promotional outfit ? MP Promotions. ?Philippines and Malaysia have long history of cooperation. In fact, Malaysia has been helping our country by brokering the peace between our government and the MILF,? Pacquiao said. Pacquiao vowed to help develop Malaysian boxers as a gesture of gratitude to the government of Malaysia and its people for hosting the Pacquiao-Matthysse championship fight. Meanwhile, organizer of the ?Fight of Champions? revealed that entry to the weigh-in is free on a first-come-first-serve basis. Around 1500 seats were allotted for guests and spectators during tomorrow?s final weigh-in. Weigh-in will be held around 9:00 a.m. at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre. Gates at the venue will be opened starting 8:00 a.m. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.  |
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