New IBO boxing champ Apolinario visits Bongbong Marcos

Dave Apolinario, the new IBO flyweight champ, shows off his belt during his visit to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022.. (Photo from an RTVM video posted on its YouTube page)

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino boxer Dave Apolinario paid President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. a courtesy visit on Wednesday at Malacañang Palace.

Apolinario is the new flyweight champion of the International Boxing Organization (IBO), knocking out South African Gideon Buthelezi last Saturday to claim the vacant title.

A video uploaded to the Radio TV Malacañang Facebook page shows Marcos receiving Apolinario at the President’s Hall at the Palace.

“The entire Philippines thanks for making us famous again. We want to wave our flag to celebrate,” Marcos told Apolinario in Filipino. “Thank you very much for the joy and pride that you brought to Filipinos. We can be proud in saying that Filipinos are world-class.”

Marcos also noted Apolinario’s record of 17 wins with no defeat and 12 knockouts.

Apolinario handed over a pair of signed gloves to the president, who then signed another pair of gloves for the boxer and gave him a commemorative gold coin.

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