Zubiri files resolution recognizing Pacquiao in the roster
of world's boxing legends

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri filed a resolution congratulating and honoring Manny Pacquiao for his stunning victory over British boxer Ricky "Hitman" Hatton in a title match dubbed "The Battle of East and West."

Zubiri said the "swift and amazing second-round Technical Knockout (TKO) won by Pacquiao over Hatton made him the greatest boxer of our time and had put Pacquiao in the roster of world's greatest boxing legends. These include Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones Jr., Pernell Whitaker, Julio Cesar Chavez and Evander Holyfield."

Hatton, 30, was the reigning International Boxing Organization's (IBO) junior welterweight division holder before he was knocked out by Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, May 3 (Philippine time).

Senate Resolution No. 1048 likewise recognized Pacquiao as "the only boxer in history who fought in four weight classes in four successive fights and won them all."

The resolution said prior to match, Pacquiao was considered the world's pound-for-pound King in boxing. He was catapulted as the first Filipino and Asian to capture four world titles in four different weight divisions and became the ninth boxer in boxing history to hold the record. Pacquiao joined the league of boxing legends Tommy Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Oscar de La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Roy Jones Jr.

Zubiri, on behalf of the Philippine Senate, also recognized Pacquiao's good Filipino trait of faith in God and spirituality which he manifested in all his fights by praying before and after a match thus showing "he is truly a model for the Filipino youth."

"Pacquiao exhibits great sense of nationalism and patriotism by dedicating his fights and victories to the Filipino people and by being proud of his heritage."

The Majority Leader also lauded Pacquiao for continuously inspiring the Filipinos to bring pride and honor to the country, and for uniting the people and the nation during his fights.