Pacquiao grateful for good health, more family time after last fight

SCREENGRAB FROM INQUIRER.NET VIDEO

After emerging victorious in what he said was his last fight in the ring, Filipino boxing icon Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao surely has a lot to be thankful for, and good health is one of them.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa Panginoon dahil nakaabot tayo sa ganito na may malusog na pangangatawan at na walang nararamdaman. Maraming salamat dahil lahat ito [ay] binigay ng Panginoon,” Pacquiao told the media upon returning to the country on Thursday morning.

(I thank God because he blessed me with good health. I thank the Lord because all of these came from Him.)

READ: Victorious Pacquiao back in Manila

Pacquiao, fresh from his win against the “scientific” Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, United States, said his recent bout was more challenging than his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. last year, where he lost in a unanimous decision.

“Mas magaling ang nakaharap kong last dahil scientific siya. Pero buti na lang nakapag-adjust tayo at ‘yung paghahanda natin ay nakatulong dahil hindi nag-aapura. Agresibo tayo pero hindi careless naman, ‘yun siguro ang nakatulong sa strategy natin,” he said.

(My last bout was with a great fighter because he is scientific. Fortunately, we were able to adjust and our preparation helped because I was not rushing [in attacking]. I was aggresive but not careless, perhaps that contributed to our strategy.)

READ: Pacquiao beats Bradley via unanimous decision in ‘last fight’

Reiterating his retirement as a professional boxer, the 37-year-old Sarangani representative said he was grateful for all his achievements through the years and the Filipinos’ support for him in all his fights.

“Lahat ng mga na-accomplish natin sa boxing, ‘yun ‘yung mga talagang nakapagbigay ng ligaya, kumbaga, it was never in my imagination na ma-a-accomplish natin ang mga ito,” Pacquiao said, adding that he was happy to be able to spend more time with his family.

(All of my accomplishments in boxing were the source of my happiness, it was never in my imagination that I would be able to accomplish all these things.)

“Maraming salamat sa sambayang Pilipino na walang sawang sumuporta, nagdarasal, nagkaisa. Marami pong salamat. Mula noon hanggang ngayon, sinamahan ninyo ako sa bawat laban, at sa aking mga hinaharap. Maraming salamat na nasa likod ko kayo na laging nakasuporta,” he added.

(I would like to thank the entire Filipino nation for your unwavering support, prayer and cooperation. Thank you very much. Since then until now, you were with me in every fight and issue I face. Thank you for supporting me all throughout.)

Pacquiao said he was carefully studying plans to fulfill his longtime dream to join the Olympics. “Tingnan nating mabuti kung walang conflict (We will look into it if there would be no conflict),” he said.

Pacquiao is vying for a Senate seat in the upcoming May 9 polls under the opposition ticket of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance. With reports from Erwin Aguilon, Radyo Inquirer 990AM/RAM