Apolinario (R) with President Marcos. Dave “The Doberman” Apolinario, now W17 KO12 L0 arrived in Manila on Wednesday and was greeted with a hero’s welcome. Apolinario went straight to Malacanang Palace where he was personally greeted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He was joined by his team from Sanman Promotions headed by his manager Mike Pelayo and Sanman CEO Jim Claude Manangquil.
Apolinario won his belt to become the country’s lone current world champion by knocking out Gideon Buthelezi before his home crowd in South Africa. After the win, his ranking zoomed up among the different boxing bodies thus ensuring him of bigger fights in the near future.
“I cannot contain my happiness right now. I was ecstatic after winning the belt in South Africa but being greeted and congratulated by my president is another thing. This is the best thing that happened in my life. I promise to work harder and get the other belts,” Apolinario stated.
