Duterte lauds Pacquiao’s victory over Matthysse

President Duterte applauds Manny! | @marcreyesINQ pic.twitter.com/cIXK2hUslf

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 15, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte lauded the recent win of boxing champ Senator Manny Pacquiao against Lucas Matthysse.

“I would like to congratulate Senator Manny Pacquiao for giving us pride and bringing the Filipino nation together once more,” Duterte said in a statement.

“You have proven time and again that you are not just a public servant, but one of the greatest boxers of all time. This win will surely cement, yet again, your position and legacy in boxing’s Hall of Fame,” Duterte added.

Pacquiao knocked down Matthysse in the seventh round of the fight at the Axiata Arena   on Sunday. Duterte was spotted watching the live fight in Kuala Lumpur.

President Rodrigo Duterte watches the Pacquiao-Matthysse fight with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 15. 2018.

READ: 60th win: Pacquiao KOs Matthysse for WBA welterweight title

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also extended his congratulations to the boxing champ as he dubbed the win as a “tremendous feat.”

“With Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao’s victory against Lucas Matthysse for the WBA welterweight belt, the Palace is one with the Filipino people in celebrating this tremendous feat,” Roque said.

“We thank our ‘Pambansang Kamao’ for not only bringing honor and glory to our flag and country but once again uniting Filipinos here and abroad with his display of courage, tenacity and will power,” he added. /ee