President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo named boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao on Monday an “ambassador of peace and unity” as the world's greatest boxer paid a courtesy call on her in Malacanang Palace following a victory motorcade. Arroyo congratulated Pacquiao for his latest achievement when he knocked out British boxing champion Ricky Hatton last May 2 in just the second round of their 12-round world junior welterweight championship bout in Las Vegas, Nevada. The president also presented Pacquiao with an encased copy of a presidential proclamation, which called for a national day of celebration for his latest ring triumph. The proclamation described him as a “boxing legend'' whose “life and victories inspire the Filipinos to have resiliency and dedication to triumph against all odds.'' Pacquiao presented Arroyo the International Boxing Organization junior-welterweight championship belt he took from Hatton. He said he is offering his latest victory to the Filipino people who have inspired him throughout his boxing career. Adding spice to the occasion, Arroyo played the role of a “reporter” as she asked Pacquiao a few questions regarding his fight with Hatton, the erstwhile British superstar. On Arroyo's question on his strategy against Hatton, Pacquiao said he and his coach Freddie Roach agreed that his right hook would be the deciding factor in the match. It was the right hook that handed Hatton his first knock down in the bout. “He was wary of my right hook. He was avoiding it and he lost his focus on my left,” he said in Tagalog. Arroyo asked what inspired him during the match. “My family and the entire Filipino nation,” Pacquiao replied in Tagalog. “I know millions of Filipinos are behind me, praying, waiting for my victory, which I will later present to the nation. This is what inspires me,” he added. He said it was the hopes and dreams of the entire Filipino nation that gave him the strength to flatten Hatton. “Did Hatton hurt you?'' Arroyo asked. “Not so much,'' Pacquiao replied. “On top of the ring, I thought he was bigger and stronger. But no, he could not take the punch of the Filipino nation,” he added to the exuberant applause of guests packed inside the Rizal Hall of Malaca?ang Palace. Pacquiao said he did not rejoice at the sight of a badly beaten rival lying flat on his back in the canvass, adding that he actually pitied Hatton. However, he said he has no sympathy for Hatton's trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr. “I felt sorry for him (Hatton) because he's friendly, he's a good guy. It's the trainer who talks too much,” he said. Pacquiao also dispelled speculations that he is not as thirsty for victory anymore. “I am always thirsty for victory because of the people's expectations of me every time I fight,” he said. Before arriving in Malaca?ang, Pacquiao had a busy morning going around Metro Manila with his grand victory motorcade. His motorcade passed through several streets of Quezon City and Manila. Makati City was scrapped from its route due to lack of time. Wearing white long sleeves and cap, Pacquiao kept on waving and smiling at the huge crowds as the motorcade passed by. Confetti kept on raining as the motorcade went around the city's streets. Many fans chanted Pacquiao's name, cheering, and shouting. Some even shouted, “Balato, balato naman (loose change, please).” Residents in slum areas of the city came out in droves to get a glimpse of their hero, who was once a street vendor. “He (Pacquiao) used to sleep in cardboard boxes and wear hand-me-down shirts,'' columnist Ronnie Nathanielsz wrote in his newspaper column yesterday. “Now he dons Armani suits as befits the world's top ring gladiator.''
