Pacquiao: Each punch has strength of 90 million Pinoys

Posted at 12/07/2008 10:04 AM
Pacquiao during Mass on Saturday morning. (ABS-CBN videograb)

As in all of his previous matches, Manny Pacquiao offered the "biggest fight of his life" to God as he said that each of the punches he releases against Oscar de la Hoya will carry the "weight of 90 million Filipinos."

"Ang bawat suntok na aking bibitawan ay may bigat ng 90 milyong Pilipino sa buong mundo, kasama na rin ang ilan pang milyong katao na sumusuporta sa akin bilang isang kampeon sa ibabaw ng ring," Pacquiao wrote in his online boxing column, "Kumbinasyon," on Philboxing.com.

The Filipino ring icon declined to answer de la Hoya's dare that it would be lights out for Pacquiao at the end of the welterweight super fight around 8 p.m. in Las Vegas on Saturday (noontime in Manila, Sunday).

"Iniaalay ko sa Diyos at sa inyong lahat ang laban na ito at gagawin ko lahat ang aking makakaya upang gapiin ang kalaban na si Dela Hoya na nagsabing patutulugin daw niya ako. Isa lang ang aking masasabi. Ang aking kamao na lang ang magsasalita sa takdang araw dahil ang mahal na Panginoon lang ang s’yang tanging nakakaalam kung sino ang magwawagi sa aming dalawa," he said.

Pacquiao said he is excited for the fight and vowed to emulate the courage shown by his ancestors.

"Excited na ako na maipakita ko ang tapang, lakas at bilis ng isang mandirigmang Pilipino gaya ng ipinakita ng aking mga ninuno simula pa kay Lapu-Lapu ng Mactan," he said

Earlier Saturday, Pacquiao and his team of coaches, trainers, advisers and family members attended Mass offered for the World Boxing Council lightweight champ.

"Maganda ang aking pakiramdam, maayos at malinaw ang aking pag-iisip at higit sa lahat, naniniwala ako na ang mahal na Panginoong Diyos ay nasa aking tabi palagi kaya Siya na ang magbibigay sa akin ng tagumpay sa araw na ito," he said.

Pacquiao also offered the fight for "Filipinos who have shown and are continuously showing their love for the country."

"Kasama ko sa araw na ito ang lahat ng mga magigiting na Pilipino na nagtanggol at lumaban upang lahat tayo ay lumaya at mamuhay ng tahimik. Kasabay ko ang lahat ng mga kababayan kong nagmamahal sa bayan," he said.


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