PACQUIAO CONFERRED RANK OF 'DATU'
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Mar 2008
Filipino ring legend Manny Pacquiao, whose recent victory against former WBC super featherweight king Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico has catapulted him into the record books only a handful of boxers had achieved, has added another feather to his cap when he was conferred today the rank of 'Datu' by the B'laan Tribe, the dominant indigenous group in Sarangani province, in southern Mindanao.
Pacquiao has been given the name of 'Datu Damfel Banwe' which signifies a person who has 'katakus', 'kaisug' and 'kinaadman' (ability, courage and wisdom).
Upon his return to the Philippines this week, Pacquiao has also been promoted to the rank of master sergeant by the Philippine military. He has also entered the Elorde Hall of Fame after garnering the 'Boxer of the Year' honor for seven consecutive years.
Pacquiao's victory over Marquez made him the only fighter in history who has won the lineal crown (Ring Magazine) in three divisions, flyweight (112 lbs), featherweight (126 lbs) and super featherweight (130 lbs). His winning belts as a flyweight, super bantamweight and super featherweight pushed him to the company of only eight boxers in history to have won belts in three weight classes. The other boxers who had accomplished such a feat were Bob Fitzsimmons, Tony Canzoneri, Barney Ross, Henry Armstrong, Emile Griffith, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (With reports from Edwin Espejo)
WBC super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao (5th from left), in a tradational ceremony, has been conferred the rank of 'Datu' by the elders of the B'laan indigenous tribe in Sarangani province in southern Mindanao Wednesday, March 26. Photo by Cocoy Sexcion.
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