MANILA – Despite his loss to American Floyd Mayweather, Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao earned accolade from Senator JV Ejercito for “his exceptional performance” in the so-called “Fight of the Century” last May 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ejercito filed Senate Resolution No. 1307 last May 4 to commend Pacquiao as “People’s Champ” and for contributing to the Filipino pride.
“Despite his loss, Manny Pacquiao was able to gain the respect of the international community, considering him as the best boxer in the world, calling him the winner of the people’s heart for his greatness inside and outside the ring, and for his exceptional talent and heart for the sport of boxing,” Ejercito said.
Despite nursing a shoulder injury, Pacquiao displayed his boxing prowess against undefeated Mayweather who improved his ring record to 48-0.
However, Pacquiao’s failure to reveal to the public about his injury would reportedly earn him sanctions and possible lawsuits from his own boxing fans.
Against Mayweather, Pacquiao tried to do his best but the American fighter, known for his defense prowess, danced around to survive the attacks from the Filipino fighter.
As a result, Mayweather earned an unanimous decision victory to unify the WBA, WBC and Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight crown.
”“Boxing owes so much to Manny for bringing excitement and fire for the past 14 years! Each time he puts on those gloves and steps on the ring, he carries his whole nation on his shoulders,” Ejercito said.
”As we look back on all the great fights that Manny has given us, we can only smile as we reminisce the greatness of this dynamo from the Philippines. We will never see another Manny Pacquiao in this lifetime,” he added.
It was Pacquiao’s sixth defeat in 66 fights highlighted with 38 knockouts.
Pacquiao is also a congressman, representing the lone district of Sarangani province in the House of Representatives.