PACQUIAO: MAYWEATHER FIGHT IS A GIFT TO DAUGHTER
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 22 Mar 2015
LOS ANGELES ? World eight-division boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao bared that the May 2 historic fight is a gift to her daughter, Mary Divine Grace nicknamed Princess.
Among his children, Pacquiao added, it was Princess who egged him on to fight undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
?Princess was the one who kept on asking me to fight Mayweather. ?Though I dedicate this fight to my country and to the fans all over the world, this is also a special gift to my Princess,? Pacquiao admitted.
?Daddy, I want you to fight and defeat Mayweather. Please, daddy,? Pacquiao quoted Princess as saying.
On Friday evening, Sarangani vice governor Jinkee Pacquiao and her 16-man entourage arrived here to give support and inspiration to the Pinoy ring idol.
Pacquiao claimed the presence of his family would further motivate him to prepare hard for the fight.
?With God and my family behind me, my journey to victory is almost over. When God is with us, who can be against us?? he said.
They were met at the Los Angeles International Airport by no less than Pacquiao, himself, along with several members of his team.
Pacquiao tried to wait for the arrival of his wife and children at the airport arrival lounge but a horde of fans who swarmed on him compelled the Pinoy boxing superstar to retreat back inside the car.
?A large throng of avid fans had started to swell around him and we didn?t want to disrupt the normal operation of the airport so we decided to whisk him off to the car,? George Tanon Edillor, assistant security chief of Team Pacquiao, said.
Upon arrival at the arrival lounge, Pacquiao tried to hide inside the comfort room but the fans who saw him started to mill around waiting for him to get out.
When the Fighter of the Decade came out, the fans eagerly waiting outside started to swarm around him prompting his security escorts to bring him back to the car.
?We apologize to the fans but we have to respect the rules inside the airport and the rights of other passengers. Autograph-signing and picture-taking must be done at the right time and at the right place,? Edillor said.
Carlos Homo, Pacquiao?s chief security, was seen clasping a bouquet of roses while waiting for the vice governor.
?The Congressman bought these flowers for Vice Gov. Jinkee,? Homo said.
Included in the entourage was Pacquiao?s five children ? Jemuel, Michael, Princess, Queenie and Israel.
Others who arrived with the group include Jinkee?s twin sister Janet, the children?s nannies and some close relatives.
Pacquiao gave her wife and children a sweet embrace upon meeting them inside the car.
They proceeded to their home in North Plymouth Boulevard here where a sumptuous dinner was prepared in celebration for their arrival.
?I?m glad that we are together again. The whole family is here. I draw strength and inspiration from them. As I?ve been saying, behind my success in life is my wife, Jinkee,? Pacquiao said.
Jinkee thanked God for giving her a responsible and loving husband.
?She?s a gift from God. Not only to us but also to other people. I hope and pray, God will continue to protect him,? Jinkee said. By Aquiles Z. Zonio.
Photo: Sarangani Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao and her children arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport on Friday evening. They were met at the airport by no less than Pinoy boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Jinkee was seen cuddling baby Israel, while Quennie was walking ahead towards the exit. /Photo by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
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