SULAIMAN CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT ARROYO ON PACQUIAO?S WIN
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 19 Mar 2008
World Boxing Council president Don Jose Sulaiman has requested us to ?please offer the WBC?s and my personal congratulations to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and to all the people of the Philippines for the great champion of the world, Manny Pacquiao."
Pacquiao won the WBC super featherweight title with a razor-thin, split decision over defending champion Juan Manuel Marquez in a twelve round classic at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino last Sunday, Manila Time.
Sulaiman hailed the Filipino boxing icon who, he said, ?has brought pride and honor to his country with his boxing excellence and heart of a lion that led him to success in one of the closest and most dramatic fights in decades.?
The WBC president said that even when the fight was so disputed and close, ?we cannot deny that Manny won it because of his determination, perseverance and courage to overcome a boxing style and strategy of (Juan Manuel) Marquez that made him go over the limits of endurance, determination and glory for his country.?
Sulaiman said he had been informed that Pacquiao had decided to stay a few days to let Lent pass and then fly to Manila with his WBC belt to be ?welcomed and greeted by his people.? Sulaiman said the coveted green and gold belt was being sent to Pacquiao.
Sulaiman who met President Arroyo at the opening of the Annual WBC Convention in Manila last November was impressed with the President?s support for the sport of boxing and her longtime concern for Pacquiao even before he became a world champion.
In a separate email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard, the WBC president?s son, Mauricio Sulaiman who is secretary general of the WBC said ?Congratulations. A great victory for Manny."
In a swipe at Ring Magazine and Golden Boy Promotions, Mauricio Sulaiman said "the only sad thing is the ridiculous actions by Golden Boy to establish the paper world title," referring to the Ring's championship belt. Sulaiman added, "we hope that Manny doesn't pay attention to it and that he even refrains from showing that belt."
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