World Boxing Council(WBC) light flyweight champion Brian Viloria has called for an end to the political troubles in the Philippines, hoping that the Filipinos could watch sports matches every day and live in peace.
The Filipino-American met with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Malacanang Palace on Wednesday and was treated with small pieces of sponge cakes with panda icing in the shape of his championship belt as tribute to his successful fight in February.
After her gift to Viloria was presented by the Palace chefs, Arroyo shook hands with Viloria, saying: “We are proud of you.”
Viloria retained his WBC title after defeating Mexican Jose Antonio Aguirre in a bout in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Viloria told reporters that he was aware of the situation in the Philippines and he had been praying for an end to the political turmoil.
“Everyone is praying for the Philippines. We don’t want any more political turmoil,” he said.
Viloria expressed hopes that the Filipinos could pull together and forget about their political leanings like what they used to do to cheer for a Filipino athlete like him or the people’s boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.
“It (the situation) kinda makes us wish that we can fight everyday so everyone can just, you know, live in peace,” Viloria said.
He said it would be the best if Filipinos would think of the country most of the time just when athletes fight and do their best to represent the Philippines.
Viloria said like Pacquiao, he would not mind using his influence over people, like going to every military camp, to promote peace and unity. He said all sectors of society, including sports, get affected and pulled down by the political turmoil.
In a lighter note, Viloria said he was happy to see Arroyo’s surprise gift for him, referring to the cakes.
“It almost looks like my belt is kinda hungry right now so I might take a bite,” he said.
Source: Xinhua
