´Pacman´ attributes win to ´trust in God´

Published Date: November 20, 2009

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao thanks God for his historic win against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto on Nov. 15.

The seven-time world boxing champion in as many divisions addressed a cheering congregation at a Nov. 20 thanksgiving Mass in Manila after returning from the title fight in Las Vegas, the United States.

Manny Pacquiao holds up his trophies after being greeted by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (right) in Manila on Nov. 20, as wife Jinkee (left) looks on

“All my strength came from God,” the world welterweight champion declared as he urged Filipinos: “Trust God, and he won´t fail you.”

The 30-year-old boxer from General Santos City, southern Philippines, dedicated most of his brief message to speaking about how faith can strengthen a person and help him achieve his goals.

“I surrendered myself completely to (God) in this fight,” Pacquiao said, shifting from English to Tagalog during his speech. He said he did the same in previous fights and won against fighters heavier than himself.

“If you wonder why I was smiling entering the ring, it was because my faith in the Lord was 100 percent.”

The Mass at the popular Shrine of the Black Nazarene was packed with fans including politicians and government officials.

Pacquiao told them his victory last weekend was historic not only for himself, but also for the Filipino people. “We got it!” he told the cheering crowd. “Doesn´t that make you proud to be Filipino?”

He continued: “I don´t say idolize me. I am saying idolize my faith in prayer and my belief it is because of God that I succeed in my boxing.”

Why should he worry, he asked them, “knowing millions of Filipinos are praying for my success?”

In defeating Cotto by technical knockout, Pacquiao added the welterweight championship to his world titles in the flyweight, super-bantamweight, featherweight, super-featherweight, lightweight and junior welterweight divisions.

Rate this article