Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao has won unstinted praise from Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and one of Thailand ’s top boxing officials, WBC vice president Police General Kovid Bhakdibhumi during a whirlwind promotional tour for San Miguel Beer in Bangkok on Monday.
Pacquiao and his party which included business manager Eric Pineda and lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal along with four San Miguel Corporation executives returned to Manila past midnight aboard a private jet of SMC after what Pineda described as a “tiring but worthwhile trip.”
Pineda said they were “surprised by the number of media personnel who covered the Pacquiao visit and the really nice gestures” by the Thai premier and other officials. .
The WBC official Gen.Kovid praised Pacquiao for being “not just a hero of the Philippines but a hero of all Asia .” He said “his victory is also our victory.”
Prime Minister Abhisit commended Pacquiao for being an inspiration to children in Southeast Asia , saying “He is a good example for children in the region and inspires them take up boxing.”
Veteran journalist and Bangkok Post columnist Edward Thangarajah told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Pacquiao received a hero’s welcome in Thailand which is also a hotbed of boxing.
Prime Minister Abhisit said Pacquiao “helps promote Asean” or the Association of Southeast Asian nations in which Thailand and the Philippines are leading members along with Indonesia , Malaysia , Singapore , Vietnam , Laos , Cambodia and Myanmar .
During the meeting with the Prime Minister at Government House, Pacquiao gave a replica of a world championship belt and a pair of autographed boxing gloves. Abhisit jokingly told Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-arch with whom Pacquiao alsomet “I hope he (Pacquiao) does not think we are in parliament” in reference to a recent incident in which a government member of parliament and an opposition lawmaker nearly engaged in a fisticuffs.
During an earlier press conference at the IntercontinentalHotel, Pacquiao was asked about two things – politics and boxing.
Asked whether he wanted to become President of the Philippines , the Bangkok Post reported that Pacquiao deftly side-stepped the question saying “I don’t think about it at the moment. Now I only focus on boxing. I will think about politics kater.”
The Post also claimed Pacquiao displayed the hallmarks of a politician when he praised Thailand during the news conference. Pacquiao was quoted as telling the media “I always dedicate my fights to my country. But I know that many Thais follow my fights. I am honored that they consider my victories as theirs. I hope to be able to continue to make Thais proud.”
He added, “I also hope that this trip will inspire Thai youth to take up sports and become the next generation of champions from Southeast Asia .”
Pacquiao said he believes Floyd Mayweather Jr will prove too much for Juan Manuel Marquez to overcome in their scheduled July 18 welterweight showdown. In an interview with Julian Turner of the Bangkok Post, Pacquiao said “Mayweather has a lot of advantages. He is faster than Marquez and should be able to win.”
The reigning world’s No.1 pound-for-pound fighter said if Mayweather, the former pound-for-pound king before he retired beats Marquez , “I’d like to fight him” although he conceded it would be up to his promotional team which is headed by Top Rank’s Bob Arum. Pacquiao stipulated a Mayweather fight would have to be at a catch-weight between 140 to 145 pounds.
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