MANILA, Philippines – Top military officials hailed the victory of Manny Pacquiao over “Sugar” Shane Mosley in Las Vegas Nevada on Sunday, calling the win of the military reservist as a feat for the Filipino nation.
“It’s a great victory for the Filipino people and the Filipino nation,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Eduardo Oban, who watched the fight with about 5,000 military officials and their families at the AFP gymnasium at Camp Aguinaldo.
The fight was also shown live at the AFP grandstand, at the headquarters of the Army, Air Force and Navy, and at the AFP Medical Center.
A number of military camps in the countryside also had free showing of the fight.
Before the fight, Oban expected Pacquiao to secure the win in less than 10 rounds.
“It was an iffy situation, lots of ifs, if there was really an active exchange of boxing then probably (he wins in less than 10 rounds),” he said after the fight. Oban noted that Mosley was “more on the defensive side.”
“Expectedly, Pacquiao will really dominate the fight and he did just that,” said Oban, adding that the morale of the soldiers and that of the Filipino nation are high because of the victory of Pacquiao, who holds the rank of a senior master sergeant in the Army reserve force.
He said he did not doubt a Pacquiao victory. “With his capability and realizing other factors relating to the fight, I have no doubt that he’s going to win.”
Oban said he would be coordinating with the Army as to what recognition or award that will be given to Pacquiao upon his return to the Philippines.
Army officials have said the rank of senior master sergeant is the highest rank that can be given to a reserve enlisted personnel. Pacquiao cannot be promoted by the military to an officer’s rank because he lacks a college degree.
“We’ll ask the Philippine Army what they are offering, (what) recognition that we can give Manny Pacquiao when he comes back?We’ll have to ask the Philippine Army the appropriate award that we would give him following this victory,” said Oban.
When Pacquiao knocked Mosley on the canvas on the third round, Oban rose from his chair and raised his arm in joy. Most of the crowd in the jam-packed were also jubilant of the flooring of Mosley.
Pacquiao won on a unanimous decision, failing to win on a technical knockout. When asked if he expected such a performance by Mosley, the AFP chief said: “What I expected is the performance of Pacquiao.”
The crowd at the gym began to make their way out of the gym even before the boxing officials announced the official results, apparently expecting the Pacquiao fight. Oban sat down on his chair until the officials declared the win by Pacquiao.
For his part, Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said: “The Philippine Army joins the whole nation in proudly congratulating Manny pacquiao for his big win over Mosley.”
“As we gathered together and united once again to watch and cheer him for this fight, may his victory also inspire us to unite in other endeavors to finally bring peace and progress to our country,” he said.
When asked what award the Philippine Army will confer on Pacquiao upon his return to the Philippines, Ortiz said: “We’ll see what appropriate award befitting his victory.”
Belmonte congratulates Rep. Pacquiao
House Speaker Sonny Belmonte also praised Pacquiao for his win over Mosley.
“Manny is the only boxer in the world who is already an 8-division world champion, the first boxer in history to earn 10 world titles in 8 different weight divisions, and the first boxer in history to win the lineal championship in 4 different weight classes,” he said in a press statement.
“His defense of the WBO welterweight championship title again today only strengthens his grip as the world’s pound-for-pound king of boxing. It is an overwhelming achievement which he holds not just for himself but for every Filipino,” he added.
“I join all our countrymen over all social classes in congratulating Congressman Manny Pacquiao for another victory and for continuing to keep the hope and inspiration alive in the hearts of every Filipino here and abroad – especially of our youth who emulate him for his discipline, faith and determination,” Belmonte said.
