GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines?Dionisia Pacquiao, mother of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, said she has learned one good thing about her son’s victory over Oscar Dela Hoya during the “Dream Match” Sunday.
Dionisia said her son’s win over an experienced and bigger foe made her totally confident about his ability now.
“Sa ngayon, parang hindi na ako kakabahan kahit sino pa ang makalaban ng anak ko. Binugbog nga niya si Dela Hoya (I don?t think I?ll be a nervous wreck anymore, whomever my son fights. He pummeled Dela Hoya),” a beaming Dionisia told reporters here Monday.
Manny’s mother has a heart problem and had not watched any of the live telecasts of his fights.
Instead, she would say the rosary in the confinement of her room and then watch the replays.
Asked if her full confidence in Manny now meant that she would be watching her future fights live on TV, Dionisia said it might still not possible because of her heart problem.
On Sunday, Dionisia nearly fainted when she was informed that Manny won over Dela Hoya.
But she also regained her composure and gamely granted media interviews.
“Kung sinong gustong makalaban ng anak ko, ibibigay ko na ang buong suporta ko. Mas lalong tumibay ang paniniwala ko sa kakayahan ng anak ko (Next time, I will give my son my full support, whoever his opponent is,” Dionisia repeated Monday.
Manny hinted that he was willing to travel to London if his promoter picks England’s “Hitman” Ricky Hatton as his next opponent.
Rosalio, Manny’s father, said his confidence in his son never wavered and that he knew from the start that he would trash dela Hoya.
“Kumpiyansa kaayo ko sa kakusog sa kumo ug abilidad ni Manny. Wala g’yud koy gibating kahadlok bisan dako kaayo si Dela Hoya (I am very confident about his ability and the power of his punches. I haven’t had any fear),” Rosalio said.
Rosalio, who is estranged from Dionisia, said he will join the family in meeting him in Manila next week.
Dionisia said she misses her son so much already and simply wanted to hug him.
She said she would not ask anything from him except for a short vacation with Manny in Baguio.
