Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao vows to support Philippine amateur boxing in its quest to win the country’s first Olympic gold medal.

“Gaya rin ng aking sinabi noon pa man, kung anumang suporta ang kinakailangan ng amateur boxing ay todo-bigay ako,” Pacquiao said in his latest “Kumbinasyon” column posted on PhilBoxing.com.

(Like what I’ve said in the past, whatever support the country’s amateur boxing needs, I’ll give).

Pacquiao recently went to the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center (NOMPAC) for the Smart National Amateur Boxing Championship where more than 600 boxers competed.

“Dahil sa sport na ito, ang lahing Pilipino ay tinitingala ngayon sa buong mundo at sumasaludo ang lahat sa angking kakayahan, lakas at kaliksihan ng ating lahi,” said Pacquiao, the first Asian to win four world titles in four different divisions.

(Because of this sport, Filipinos received praise and respect from all over the world due to their natural talent, strength and speed).  

Pacquiao said he will work with Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines chairman Manny Pangilinan so that the country may win the elusive Olympic gold medal.

“Sa pangunguna ni Manny Pangilinan, alam kong malayo ang mararating nating lahat upang sa huli ay makopo na natin ang pinaka-aasam na gintong medalya sa susunod na Olympics,” he said.

The closest the Filipino boxers got to the Olympic medal was in the 1964 and the 1996 Olympics. 

Featherweight Anthony Villanueva won silver in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. This was duplicated by light flyweight Mansuelto "Onyok" Velasco who also won second place in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS.com