FRESH from knocking out an aging former world-boxing champion, Bobby Pacquiao was greeted with a hero’s welcome during his arrival in General Santos last week.
Pacquiao, younger brother of Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, was paraded around the city’s main thoroughfares amid chanting crowd.
His welcome however paled in comparison with his more illustrious brother.
The younger Pacquiao, World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas Super Featherweight champion, floored former WBC featherweight champion Kevin Kelly in the fourth round of their fight held at Madison Square Garden in New York.
“With his win, Bobby gave honor not only to our city but to the rest of the Philippines,” said Mayor Pedro Acharon, who led officials in welcoming the fighter.
The 25-year-old Pacquiao, who earned his new moniker “The Sniper,” thanked his town mates for their prayers and support to him.
He asked the Filipino people to also pray for the success of his elder brother who will fight Mexican Oscar Larios in a 12-round super featherweight bout that will be beamed in the Untied States via a limited pay-per-view coverage.
Rey Golingan, local chairman of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, said that Bobby has tremendously improved his fighting skills.
“He showed a lot of strength and improvements,” Golingan noted.
He believed that Bobby’s boxing career would go a long way if the fighter can maintain his dedication and discipline.
