MANILA, April 18 (PNA) – Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao returned to the country on Friday morning, five days after reclaiming the WBO welterweight title from erstwhile undefeated American Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao, 35, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Centennial Terminal on board a Philippine Airlines flight at 4:30 a.m.
The Filipino word champion was accompanied by his mother Dionisia, who earned attention of the boxing world after she was caught in camera praying the rosary while her fingers pointed to Bradley.
Pacquiao, a congressman of the lone district of Saranggani province, thanked the Filipino people for their support in his successful bid to regain the same WBO belt he lost to Bradley two years ago via a controversial decision.
”I dedicate my victory to every Filipino,” said Pacquiao, who improved his ring record at 56-5-2 (38 KOs) after a convincing unanimous victory over Bradley last Sundy.
Senators Gregorio Honasan and Jose Victor Ejercito joined the well-wishers who welcomed the national pride at the NAIA Terminal 2.
After arriving from Los Angeles, Pacquiao proceeded to his province where he was welcomed by his constituents and his family led by his pregnant wife Jinkee and children. (Philippine News Agency)
