Arroyo to Pacquiao: ‘It was a mismatch’
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 3) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, at one point, shadowboxed on her seat, as she and boxing hero Manny Pacquiao talked at length about his stunning victory over Oscar de la Hoya.
Pacquiao, who was in a black long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans, called on Arroyo at the Malacañang Music Room on Wednesday morning, just hours after he arrived from the United States.
“It was a mismatch the other way around. You are not an underdog,” Arroyo told Pacquiao, referring to oddsmakers predictions of a De la Hoya win.
Pacquiao told Arroyo that some sportswriters apologized to him for underestimating him. He also said that having trained hard for the fight, he knew that “pagpasok ko sa ring, kasama ko ang Panginoon [when I entered the ring, I knew God was with me].”
Pacquiao acknowledged that De la Hoya, an Olympic gold medalist, was a tough opponent, saying, “It’s David versus Goliath.”
“He [Dela Hoya] was taller, bigger,” Pacquiao said, adding that he knew he could take on De la Hoya when he knocked out a hefty built sparring partner during practice.
Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson described Pacquiao’s victory as a “massacre.”
When asked by the President, Pacquiao said he would name his unborn child Elizabeth. His wife Jinkee is due to give birth to their fourth child later this month.
Arroyo presented Pacquiao with a fondant carrot cake, in the shape of a red boxing glove, with “World’s number one pound for pound boxer” written on it.
Pacquiao, who arrived early Wednesday, attended a thanksgiving mass in Quiapo Church in Manila.
In a short speech before the crowd, Pacquiao recalled how some people told him that he had a “big problem” with De la Hoya.
But Pacquiao said that while he had a big problem, he assured them that there was a “bigger God who was much better.”
Speaking in Filipino, Pacquiao said, “Sabi nila malaki ang problema ko, pero sabi ko malaki nga ang problema ko, pero may Panginoon naman na napakagaling.”
But Pacquiao had this to say to those who didn’t believe him,
“Don’t tell God ‘I have a big problem,’ but face your problem because we have a big God.”
Monsignor Clem Ignacio celebrated the thanksgiving mass that started at past 8 a.m.
Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and Singson were with Pacquiao.
Boxing fans filled the church as Manila police secured the area.
