A VICTORIOUS Senator Manny Pacquiao donated his World Boxing Organization championship belt to the Senate as a memorial for being the first sitting senator to win a world boxing title.
“I’m very, very happy for making history in boxing, first ever. Although I am no longer here [Senate], the first Filipino, the first senator who is a world champion in boxing,” said Pacquiao in an interview.
Two days after defeating WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Navada, Pacquiao was back to his work as senator of the Philippines.
“There are many jobs to do here in the Senate. So I wanted to be immediately back here. In fact, I left my family there [US]. My wife is still there,” he said.
While he does not want to fail his supporters in the boxing arena, Pacquiao stressed he also does not want to frustrate millions of Filipinos who backed his senatorial bid in the last May elections.
“I want them to be proud of me so I need ro focus on my job,” stressed the 37-year-old world boxing champion who donated his championship belt to the Senate.
Pacquiao admitted it was a tough fight with Vargas. He described Vargas as very strong, being 10 years younger than him. He was in a very good condition,” he said.
But with his discipline and time management, he was able to weather the fight and won over the much younger Vargas. He said his endurance has remained the same as when he started boxing in his younger years.
Pacquiao guaranteed he is not yet retiring from boxing. He said there will be more fights, but he cannot name who will be his future opponents.
Asked if American Floyd Mayweather, 5-division world champion, could be among them, Pacquiao said “he has retired from boxing.”
The Senate adopted yesterday a resolution commending and congratulating Pacquiao for his latest feat.
Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, who introduced Senate Resolution 217, said Pacquiao’s immeasurable achievements and intense desire for boxing have brought honor, pride and inspiration to Filipinos worldwide.
Time and again, Sotto said in his resolution, Pacquiao have put the country’s name in a new light.
“Sen. Manny Pacquiao deserves to be recognized and commended once again not only for adding another world title to his collection but also for the pride and honor that he gives to our country,” Sotto said.
“We commend and congratulate Senator Pacquiao for deafeating Jessie Vargas in his comeback boxing match held in Las Vegas, Nevada and being declared as the new WBO welterweight champion,” he added.
Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, who filed Senate Resolution No. 225, said Pacquiao made “an impressive comeback in the ring when he defeated Vargas, making him the first sitting senator to win a world boxing title and upping his record to 58 wins, six losses and two draws with 38 matches resulting in knockouts.”
“He juggled his trainings with his duties as a legislator of this August Chamber. Not even once had he taken a leave of absence in these last few months while training for his fight with Mr. Vargas. In fact, he was very active in attending committee hearings and in participating in deliberations and discussions on the floor,” Zubiri said.
For his part, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said Pacquiao exhibited excellence in his endeavors as a sportsperson. Ejercito, who filed Resolution 219, said that Pacquiao is worthy to be commended and commended. “His victory definitely brings not only honor to our country, but also inspiration to our athletes to strive and excel in international sports scenario,” Ejercito said.
Senator Cynthia Villar said Pacquiao deserves to be commended for the pride and recognition he has brought to the country.
“Pacquiao proved that he can harmonized his boxing career with his new job as a neophyte senator of the country, thus securing his place in the history as the only sitting senator to win a boxing title,” Villar said in Resolution 220.