Pacquiao home, gets hero’s welcome

Judges may have ruled his fight with the Mexican champion a draw, but for Filipinos, uncrowned world featherweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao won that 12-round bout in Las Vegas, Nevada last weekend.

Pacquiao was given a hero’s welcome at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport when he returned to the country before dawn yesterday.

"Pacquiao! Pacquiao! Pacquiao!" the crowd shouted in unison as the prizefighter from General Santos City emerged from the airport’s arrival area, dark glasses covering his swollen eyes.

Wearing a dark blue, striped long sleeved shirt, Pacquiao proceeded to Manila City Hall, where he was showered with colorful confetti and greeted with warm hugs and high fives from supporters and employees.

The people’s champ, given the moniker "Pacman" by boxing barkers, was with his wife Jinky.

Pacquiao met with Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, who has been supportive of the boxing champion, an adopted son of the city since he spent years training in the L&M gym on Paquita street in Sampaloc.

Pacquiao also thanked President Arroyo for the support she extended to him before the fight. "President Arroyo and the mayor wished me good luck before the fight. It gives me inspiration and helps me to have a good fight," he said.

Pacquiao also called on Filipinos, particularly political candidates, to learn how to face defeat and not resort to violence.

"Sariling bansa natin ang masisira pag magkakagulo dito," said Pacquiao.

During his meeting with Atienza, Pacquiao admitted being disappointed over the ruling of the judges in his 12-round match with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, whom he decked thrice in the first round.

"Masama ang loob ko. Akala ko panalo na ako. Dapat may rematch para pakita kung sino ang warrior," said Pacquiao, who has indicated his intention for a rematch with Marquez. However reports had it that Marquez turned down the possibility of a rematch.

Pacquiao also said that had he not experienced pain in his left arm and foot, he could have finished off Marquez, holder of the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight titles, in the fourth or fifth round.

"Buti na lang na survive ko yung 12 rounds," he said, relieved that he was able to last the distance.

"My left hand became swollen in the first round because of the three big punches, that’s why Marquez was able to rest in the second round, otherwise, the fight would not have gone up to five rounds because by then, he would be in dreamland," Pacquiao said in Filipino.

The Filipino boxer said his blistered left foot added to his agony, hampering his mobility to deliver the final blow.

Marquez, 30, retained his WBA and IBF titles when the three judges declared the match a draw in Las Vegas last May 9.

Pacquiao said his manager intends to file a protest with the Nevada Commission to correct the ruling of the judges.

In the meantime, Pacquiao, who also weathered some mean blows from the Mexican, said he would take a lot of rest.

A possible future match would be against the Korean holder of the World Boxing Council belt in the same featherweight division.