CEBU, Philippines - After he witnessed how “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquiao triumphed over Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he will invite Pacquiao to Cebu and give him an award.
Osmeña, who watched the fight at the Rama Compound in barangay Basak- San Nicolas along with some city officials, said he could not believe that Pacquiao knocked down Cotto.
“Grabe kaayo si Manny, naglisod ko pagtoo nga mudaug siya kay dako kaayo si Cotto and yet, nidaug gyud siya,” the mayor said.
Pacquiao defeated the Puerto Rican champion by way of a technical knockout. And like other Filipinos and boxing aficionados around the world who watched the fight, Osmeña said he was again captivated by Pacquiao’s speed and punching power.
Osmeña said he is yet to determine the award the city will bestow upon the pound-to-pound king, but what is certain is that he will invite Pacquiao to Cebu once the latter returns from the United States.
“Mudawat ta ug mga suggestions. Atong hatagan ang mga tawo pagpili kung unsay maayong regalo nga atong ihatag for Pacquaio,” Osmeña said.
By winning over Cotto, Pacquiao, in effect, bagged Cotto’s welterweight belt and made history in boxing by winning his seventh title in several divisions. The Filipino boxing icon who has not lost a match since his defeat from Erik Morales in 2005 is the only fighter to win world titles in seven weight classes.
Pacquiao has won the world championships in the flyweight (112 pounds), super bantamweight (122 lb), featherweight (126 lb), super featherweight (130 lb), lightweight (135 lb), and light welterweight (140 lb) divisions.
In the fight with Cotto, Referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight at a 2:24 minute mark in the 12th round and declared Pacquiao the winner.
Last May 3, the world was stunned when Pacquiao knocked out British champion Ricky “Hitman” Hatton and snatched the latter’s IBO light welterweight belt.
For his convincing second-round demolition of the British slugger, the City Council passed a resolution to build a statue of Pacquiao at the Cebu City Sports Center to serve as an inspiration to young athletes that train at the complex.
The Council also approved a resolution requesting the Office of the President to give the People’s Champ a “Mega Tourism Award.”
However, neither of the two council resolutions had been acted upon just yet.
(The Philippine Star)
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