OFFICIALS in Negros Occidental hailed Senator Manny Pacquiao for reclaiming the World Boxing Organization welterweight title for the third time after defeating Mexican-American boxer Jessie Vargas at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. congratulated Pacquiao for his victory against a much younger and taller opponent.
“Manny displayed his grit as a world-class Filipino athlete, defying age and other obstacles. His triumph today certainly is a shot in the arm amid our many problems,” he said.
The governor also hoped that Pacquiao's win “will continue to inspire us, especially upcoming boxers, as we await his homecoming to a rousing hero's welcome.”
Pacquiao won in a unanimous decision from three judges, two with scores of 118-109 and the third with 114-113.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who was in Las Vegas as the flag bearer of Team Pacquiao, said the excitement that a Pacquiao fight brings is still there, adding that the crowd roared at the sight of the world's only eight-weight division champion.
“The chant ‘Manny, Manny!’ reverberates in the arena. And the 19,000-seater Thomas and Mack Center becomes a full house. So, the Pacman show is still a big draw in Las Vegas,” Leonardia said.
“Against a younger, aggressive, skillful and hungry champion with an impressive record of only one defeat, Manny proved that he still has the wares that made him a legend. People got their money’s worth in this championship bout," the mayor added.
Leonardia said Pacquiao’s unanimous decision victory that captured for him a new world welterweight championship belt also made history, making him
the first senator to become world boxing champion.
“The Pacman made the country proud again. And as an adopted son of Bacolod, he also made us particularly proud,” he added.
Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said that while Vargas threw more punches to Pacquiao, the Filipino fighter landed more punches on Vargas.
“But age is catching enough, maybe one or two more years for Manny,” he added.
Familiaran said that after the second round, where Vargas was knocked down, Pacquiao failed to knock him out.
“During his younger times, he immediately knocked out his opponent,” the vice mayor noted.
He added that it was a test of endurance for Pacquiao because his opponent is only 27, and 10 years younger than him, but still he is a fighter to win the bout.
“The whole country is very happy for his win,” Familiaran said.
For his part, Bacolod City Councilor Caesar Distrito said Pacquiao’s “victory is truly an inspiration to all Filipinos that once can excel despite his numerous responsibilities.”
“His victory brought pride and honor to all of us, and it was a uniting factor for all Filipinos in these trying moments of our nation’s history,” he added.
Thousands of Bacoleños went to five venues in the city to watch the free telecast of Pacquiao’s bout.
The Bacolod Arts, Youth, and Sports Center (Bays) Center was full, with a crowd of about 5,000.
Barangay Sum-ag Gymnasium accommodated 1,000 people, Barangay Taculing, 400, Barangay Banago, 800, and Barangay Granada, 600.