Pacquiao returning to a hero's welcome
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 18 Nov 2010
LOS ANGELES, CA ? (via Pera Padala) ? Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao, fresh from collecting a record eight world championships in as many weight divisions flies back to Manila Thursday (Friday Philippine Time).
Pacquiao, who last Saturday demolished Mexican Antonio Margarito to capture the World Boxing Council super-welterweight title at the massive Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, leaves on board Philippine Airlines flight 103 with wife Jinkee and the rest of Team Pacquiao.
The Pacquiao party is expected to arrive Manila at 6:15 a.m. Sunday after a brief stopover in Guam.
A hero?s welcome awaits Pacquiao when he set foot at the Ninoy Aquino Centennial 2 International Airport.
Pacquiao had been staying in Los Angeles since enplaning here Sunday night and had gone and passed physical checkup to determine the damage inflicted on his body by the power-punching Margarito. In fact, he pushed through his scheduled concert last Tuesday at Lake Tahoe after receiving a clean bill of health from his physicians.
Pacquiao, an elected Congressman in his wife Jinkee?s province in Sarangani said he is eager resume his tasks as a lawmaker in the service of his constituents.
?Matapos kong mapaglingkurang muli ang ating bansa and mga kababayan sa pamamagitan ng pagiging boksingero ko ay balik naman ako sa pagse-serbisyo ko sa aking mga kalalawigan sa Sarangani bilang kinatawan nila sa Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso,? Pacquiao said in a brief telephone conversation Wednesday night.
?I would like to extend my deepest thanks to all our countrymen who continued praying for my success in what I consider as the toughest fight in my boxing career,? he said.
?But, most of all, I thank God for, again, taking care of me. For giving me strength to beat my very strong opponent and endurance to avoid getting serious injury despite the punishment I got from Margarito,? he added.
?Thank God, too, that despite the bruising 12 rounds of fighting and despite the injuries that caused him to be hospitalized, the surgery he underwent proved to be successful,? Pacquiao said.
(Eddie G. Alinea is the sports editor for sportsmanila.net)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Dec 2025