Pacquiao to focus on healing, work, family

Photo courtesy of Chris Farina / Manny Pacquiao’s official Facebook page

MANILA –Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, together with his family, has arrived at the Philippines’ Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 (NAIA 3) at around 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

Pacquiao has lost to American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their bout billed as the ‘Fight of the Century.’ Despite his defeat, Pacquiao believes that he won over Mayweather’s faith.

“I have accepted my defeat. It is just boxing. That is part of sports where sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But at least, for me, I still won because before and after the fight, it was his (Mayweather’s) first time to thank the Lord,” he said in Filipino.

Although he fully accepted his defeat, Pacquiao still believed that he really won the fight.

“I watched the fight several times and I really scored it. For me, I should have won by 2 points but even then, the decision is final so we have to accept the result. We have to accept it. At least in the people’s hearts, I won,” he said.

When told that Mayweather stated that he has lost his respect to the Filipino boxing legend, Pacquiao has only refused to comment.

“Huwag na tayong magbigay ng comment diyan kasi ang mga ganyan huwag na nating patulan. Kasi kapag pinatulan pa natin iyan ay magiging ka-level din natin sila,” he said.

(Let’s not give a comment to that because we should not react to such. If we comment to that, we will only be stepping down to their level.)

Now that Pacquiao is back in the Philippines, he plans to focus more on resting for healing of his shoulder injury, fulfilling his duties as a congressman, and spending more time with his family.

“The doctor said that I only need to rest for 4 to 6 months. The surgery went well and in 6 months my shoulder will be back to 100 percent normal,” he said, adding that his surgeon assured him that he will be totally healed in due time.

When asked for his plans for the 2016 national elections, Pacquiao says that he does not have plans for the coming elections as of now.

“My plan is still for 2015, to continue serving the public. My focus is on Sarangani Province and what I can do to help my townmates which is important,” he said.

When asked about his plans for his next fight, Pacquiao reiterated that he had no plans for anything else aside from his healing, work and family.

“I am not thinking of a next fight or anything else. I am now focused on healing. Recovering 100 percent. And my focus is on my job and my family,” he said.