LOS ANGELES?Whether he is ?human? or not, Manny Pacquiao is expected to receive the grandest of all welcomes when he returns to the Philippines on Wednesday.
A massive victory parade, a meeting at Malaca?ang Palace with his staunchest fan, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and tributes fit only for a boxing immortal await him when Pacquiao flies in on a Philippine Airlines plane, government officials close to him said.
In addition, a seat in Congress seems his for the taking, at least in the foreseeable future. Not only that, an administration senator has asked Ms Arroyo to appoint Pacquiao a peace envoy while education department officials hope his rise to fame would boost their campaign to encourage the country?s 12-million-plus out-of-school youths to get education.
Is Pacquiao, the destroyer of American boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, human at all?
The question cropped up when David Diaz, whose World Boxing Council lightweight crown Pacquiao snatched in June, called the Filipino ring icon soon after the latter annihilated De La Hoya in Las Vegas.
?He told me, ?Who are you? You?re unbelievable, you?re too fast,?? Pacquiao said, recounting their conversation. ?He even said, ?Are you human???
Pacquiao seems more than that right now.
3 out of 3
On Sunday, a day before his departure for the Philippines, Pacquiao said he had fully comprehended the meaning of his eighth-round TKO victory over De La Hoya in Saturday?s ?Dream Match? at the MGM Garden.
?Like I said, this is all about boxing history,? the 29-year-old Filipino hero said during a road trip from Las Vegas to his Palazzo residence at the La Brea area in Los Angeles. ?Three weight divisions in one year, that?s history.?
?Three weight divisions in one year. Who else has done that??
The Gen. Santos City native was referring to the fact that he fought three different stars of three different divisions?all in one year.
In March this year, Pacquiao finished his business with Juan Manuel Marquez by hammering out a close split decision victory to grab the technically gifted counterpuncher?s WBC super featherweight (130 lb) belt.
Barely three months later, he was wearing Diaz?s lightweight crown while setting records as the first Asian 135-lb champ and the first Asian world titlist in four divisions.
Ending all debates
For the match with De La Hoya, Pacquiao bulked up to get to the welterweight (147 lb) rank, proving he could carry his power and speed to that heavier division.
?I had to move past two, three divisions,? he added. ?They?re going to have to put that one on the pages of boxing history.?
That victory against the aging De La Hoya not only ended debates as to who is the current pound-for-pound king, but also etched Pacquiao?s name in the boxing pantheon, alongside the sport?s other greats.
And he did it in a brutal and calculating manner that left a dazed De La Hoya sitting forlorn on his stool as his corner put an end to the match before the start of the ninth round.
Pacquiao had said even before the match that he knew what was at stake and why he was preparing like hell against the 35-year-old former Olympic gold medalist (1992 Barcelona). After uttering his traditional nationalistic battle cry, he added that he was also fighting for a place in history.
?My name will be known not only in the Philippines, but all over the world,? Pacquiao had said. ?People will be talking about this fight in the next 50 years.?
Birthday on Dec. 17
At home, his people have begun their celebration.
Pacquiao will take the 10 p.m. (Los Angeles time) PAL flight on Monday on his way back home.
He is set to arrive in Manila Wednesday morning.
Although he still isn?t aware of what specifically will happen when he arrives home, there are already reports of a massive motorcade that would also take him to Malaca?ang, where he will call on his No. 1 fan, Ms Arroyo.
Pacquiao said the President called him right after the fight to congratulate him.
Pacquiao, who is expected to earn a hefty pay worth close to $15 million, will celebrate his 30th birthday in his native Gen. Santos City on Dec. 17 before flying back to the United States with his children before Christmas.
He is expected to stay there until wife Jinkee, eight months pregnant, gives birth.
Fight with Hatton
With Ricky Hatton almost certain to be his next opponent in the middle of next year, Pacquiao expects to fly back to the United States eight to nine weeks before the bout. The four-division champion is also expected to win the Fighter of the Year award while Freddie Roach is a cinch for the Trainer of the Year award.
The bout with De La Hoya is a contender for the Fight of the Year honors and its stiffest competition will be Pacquiao?s split decision victory over Marquez.
Pacquiao came into the bout with De La Hoya a heavy underdog. So much so that even close friend and fellow promoter Rex ?Wakee? Salud said De La Hoya would definitely win the match.
?Sabi ni Wakee, patay, si Oscar (Wakee said, you?re dead, it?s Oscar you?re fighting),? Pacquiao said. ?Mananalo si Oscar (Oscar will win).?
?I told him to just relax,? Pacquiao said.
Seat in Congress
In Manila, talk is rife that Pacquiao might run for Congress?not in South Cotabato province, where he received a whipping from rival Darlene Antonino-Custodio in the last election?but in the second district of Quezon City.
Quezon City Rep. Mary Ann Susano told reporters Monday that a group composed of businessmen and officials had suggested the idea of Pacquiao taking over her seat and had arranged talks between the two of them before Pacquiao left to train in the United States for his fight with De La Hoya.
Susano said Pacquiao did not reject the idea of being a Quezon City lawmaker, but told her that he would decide when he returns to the Philippines.
She answered in the affirmative when asked if he seemed open to the idea. She declined to identify the group of people who wanted Pacquiao to run for Congress, saying it was a sensitive subject.
?(Pacquiao) said the final decision (would be made) when he comes back,? Susano said.
Susano herself, who is on her second term as lawmaker, may run for mayor but added that she was still waiting for a sign before deciding for sure. The incumbent Quezon City mayor, Feliciano ?Sonny? Belmonte, is on his last term.
According to Susano, she told Pacquiao that her district was the biggest in Quezon City and that he would be able to help many people if he became their representative.
?We will make Quezon City a dragon city,? she added. With a report from Leila B. Salaverria
