MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. threatened to slap those who would again suggest that “eternal hero” Manny Pacquiao should retire from boxing.
“I told you. The eternal hero. The purest example of the pure fighter. I will slap anyone who suggests again he retired,” Locsin said in a Twitter post on Sunday.
“Fighter never retire; fighting is their oxygen; they accept even permanent damage & blistering defeat as badges of honor. Fight, Manny, for country,” Locsin added.
I told you. The eternal hero. The purest example of the pure fighter. I WILL SLAP ANYONE WHO SUGGESTS AGAIN HE RETIRED. Fighters never retire; fighting is their oxygen; they accept even permanent damage & blistering defeat as badges of honor. Fight, Manny, for country. https://t.co/ne3OoLvShQ
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) January 20, 2019
The statement of Locsin was issued moments after Pacquiao’s 61st boxing career win over American Adrien Broner at MGM Grand Las Vegas.
Pacquiao retained his WBA World welterweight title after garnering a unanimous decision with scores of 117-111, 116-112, and 116-112.
READ: Still the champ: Manny Pacquiao keeps welterweight title, outpoints Adrien Broner
He also said that Pacquiao has the “purest of the finest qualities” of the Filipino race.
“Dear Lord, thank you for giving our race its one and only champion in the field of honor. Thank you, Lord,” he said in another Twitter post.
“He is the purest of the finest qualities of our race and of humankind: courage, compassion, humility and flat out greatness,” he added.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving our race its one and only champion in the field of honor. Thank you, Lord. He is the purest of the finest qualities of our race and of humankind: courage, compassion, humility and flat out greatness. https://t.co/XNjLK6BlVM
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) January 20, 2019
In a separate Twitter post, Locsin said that “nobody has given so much honor to our country” compared to what the boxing champ has given.
Nobody but nobody has given so much honor to our country. Nobody but nobody comes even close. https://t.co/t8ZdsilgUW
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) January 20, 2019