CEBUANO Edito ?ALA? Villamor, once revered as an icon in Cebu boxing fraternity during his heydays, was speechless for a moment before words of delight and gratitude flowed out of his mouth after learning that he is the biggest influence and inspiration to Manny Pacquiao?s boxing career.
?It?s heart-warming to note that a great champion like Manny Pacquiao idolizes me. I?m very happy and I thank Manny (Pacquiao) for having me as one of his inpirations,? said Villamor, a former two-time world challenger.
Dionisia, the 54-year-old mother of Pacquiao, revealed in an interview over Sports Chat that Pacquiao never missed a night listening to a local radio program, which features the life story of Villamor.