MANILA, Philippines (PNA) – Boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s eight world boxing championship titles in different categories is the first in the history of boxing.
“We were the first also to record seven world titles,” said newly-crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight king Pacquiao who won the Pacquiao-Margarito match via a unanimous decision of three judges, namely Juergen Langos of Germany, Oren Schellenberger of Texas and Glen Crocker at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas, USA.
Pacquiao said in a post-fight interview over GMA 7 that he is still feeling aches and pain inflicted by brave Antonio Margarito of Mexico whom he was not able to knock out or knock down in their 12-round match.
“He is strong, enduring and a good boxer,” said Pacman magnanimously of the man he defeated on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) to be honored among the greatest boxing names of all times.
Is this his last fight so he could concentrate on being a lawmaker of Sarangani province? “Let’s just say it’s not going to be the last. I must allow myself to heal first. I’m going to eat, savor my victory for a few days before going home and see what will happen.”
Pacquiao added that he would have to take some rest to recover his strength and energy, then proceed to Lake Tahoe, Nevada for a concert on November 16 to sing with gusto for the Filipinos there and foreign fans who have been following him.
As to the insults that Margarito’s staff has been throwing against his coach Freddie Roach and Manny himself, the world’s greatest fighter said, “All is past, let’s not remember the bitter words said. Let’s move on for a better future.”
While he is not in a hurry to return to the Philippines, Pacman’ mother, Dionesia, said she’d come home soon because she has to take care of several matters in Manila and in the province.
Mommy Dionesia watched her son for the first time live at the Dallas Cowboys fight and get hit on the face by Margarito in the sixth round.
She fainted when she thought he was hurt and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital. “I don’t know if it was his blood that hit me but I just could not stand the sight of Manny getting punched and suffering in pain,” she said.
Mommy Dionesia has the habit of falling down on her knees and praying tightly with her rosary inside her room during Pacman’s previous fights.
“I always pray that he emerges the winner; that he comes out unscathed and be able to enjoy his good fortune. This should be his last ring battle but I can’t dictate on him.
“What I’m going to tell him is would he rather go on being hurt atop the ring and suffer the effects later on? Would he rather not see his mother live for long? I think, this is the last time I’m going to watch Manny fight right at the venue of the event. For a mother like me, it’s just unbearable.”
