PACQUIAO ENCOURAGES BAUTISTA NOT TO GIVE UP
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 14 Aug 2007
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao who is acknowledged as a hero for opening the doors to several young Filipino boxers to be able to make a name for themselves in the United States has encouraged Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista not to give up because of the first round knockout he suffered at the hands of WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon on Sunday.
After his stunning loss the crestfallen 21 year old who felt he had let the country and his supporters down said he wanted to quit boxing but Pacquiao urged him not to citing his own career.
Pacquiao recalled his first KO loss to Rustico Torrecampo after eleven straight wins when he stopped for two months. Pacquiao said ?after that I realized that all athletes will suffer losses and we must look at what we did wrong or what was lacking.?
He said ?I myself was not used to losing but I said to myself I lost because God gave me a lesson because at that time I was swollen headed and I was cocky. But I am a frank person and I didn?t deny that I was cocky. It was then that I realized that no matter what I achieved I wouldn?t change and the triumphs will come.?
Pacquiao confessed that he though Bautista was up against a really strong champion and would be in trouble but ?I prayed for him and hoped that he would win.? He said Bautista ?can come back because he is young. He has almost everything as a fighter. He is strong but he lacks experience and head movement in the ring. That?s all he needs to do and he will be hard to beat.?
Pacquiao told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today in the face of some criticism that he virtually abandoned Team Philippines that ?I didn?t have to be there but I prayed for them and I am very happy because our fighters brought honor to our country.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026