The Freeman

Love, respect Pacquiao for putting up a good fight

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House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. on Monday advised boxing icon and Sarangani Representa­tive Manny Pacquiao not to retire yet after his fight with American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"We should think twice about that because Manny is still young. The other guy is 40 years old already," Belmonte said.

Belmonte said that he was very proud of his colleague in the House and believes that Pacquiao should have won the match.

"All of us congressme­n here, especially myself, all the Filipinos here, we are very proud of you. Kung sa ibang lugar nangyari 'yan di sa US ikaw ang nanalo, kitang-kita namin na talagang it's all points pero you should have outpointed him," the Speaker said.

Mayweather won over Pacquiao via unanimous decision during the most awaited "Fight of the Cen- tury" last Sunday at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas.

Acknowledg­ing that the fight was a hard one, Belmonte urged the Filipino people to continue to love and respect the Filipino boxing icon for putting up a good fight.

"It was a good fight – one of the best fights of Manny. But when it was left to the judges' decision, dehado siya doon. Neither side was able to knock down the other, and siyempre had Manny knocked him down, then there would have been no doubt whatsoever," Belmonte explained.

Belmonte added that House is open to giving recognitio­n to the boxerlawma­ker once he returns to the Philippine­s.

Meanwhile, the Palace advised Pacquiao to spend more time with his family and wished him good health for his future endeavors. (Philippine STAR News Service)

 ??  ?? House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Representa­tive Manny Pacquiao.
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Representa­tive Manny Pacquiao.

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