AS USUAL, Manny Pacquiao stood out among the galaxy of stars that gathered yesterday at the start of the 45th World Boxing Council (WBC) convention at The Manila Hotel.
President Arroyo graced the affair and occupied a special seat at front row alongside Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim as WBC president Jose Sulaiman formally opened the five-day event.
“The Filipino people is proud to see that the WBC has endured and lasted for decades,” said Pacquiao in a speech that he delivered. Pacquiao is the reigning WBC International super-featherweight champion and a former WBC flyweight titleholder.
“The history of the WBC will not be complete without mentioning the Philippines,” said Pacquiao, obviously in reference to the huge role the Philippines played in the formation of the WBC in 1963.
As a gesture of appreciation for Malaca?ang?s help in staging the conclave, the WBC bestowed the “Honorary WBC Champion” to the President, only the seventh time that such an award had been given to a world figure.
The WBC had given the same award to figures like Pope John Paul II, US president Ronald Reagan and South African apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.
Pacquiao was also scheduled to receive a special award from the WBC together with former WBC champions taking part late last night in Intramuros.
Expected to be cited include flyweight Erbito Salavarria, super-fly Gerry Pe?alosa and junior-lightweights Rolando Navarrette and Rene Barrientos.
