Philippine boxing star Manny Pacquiao returned home to a hero’s welcome on Thursday after beating Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera in a grudge match, and vowed to take his slugging to the next level.
Pacquiao, who holds the WBC international super featherweight belt, was welcomed by throngs of fans at Manila’s main airport before being whisked off to a press conference with his benefactor, former Manila mayor Lito Atienza.
He later met with President Gloria Arroyo, who refers to the southpaw as the country’s “national fist.”
Pacquiao, who has only lost once in his last 21 bouts, won the unanimous 12-round decision over Barrera, 33, in Las Vegas on Sunday, outclassing by the Filipino in nearly every round.
“It’s not time yet to retire,” said Pacquiao, who dominated the contest through superior hand speed and harder punches. “I’m only 28-years-old, still young.”
Most of Pacquiao’s challengers have come from Mexico, including future hall of famers Erik Morales and Barrera — whom have declared him Mexico’s public enemy number one.
Pacquiao said a match with WBC super featherweight champ Juan Miguel Marquez remains a possibility, but he stressed the Mexican slugger has been demanding a bigger purse in negotiations.
“If he agrees to negotiate then there would be no problem,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao said Barrera had predicted that only WBA super featherweight Edwin Valero of Venezuela can beat him now — and that may be a reason for him to stay in the super featherweight class though he has been thinking of moving to lightweight.
“For that reason I might stay in the 130 pound division, so he (Valero) can prove he can beat me,” Pacquiao said.
