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Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquiao humbly stated that his record of winning seven world titles in seven different weight classes would be hard to equal much less to surpass.

“Masayang-masaya ako dahil nakuha na natin ang isang record na sa tingin ko ay mahirap nang pantayan ulit sa larangan ng sport na ito,” he wrote in his Nov. 22 “Kumbinasyon” column posted on PhilBoxing.com.

Before Pacquiao achieved the new world boxing record by defeating Miguel Cotto via technical knockout in Round 12, the Filipino boxing icon was tied with retired Oscar de la Hoya as six-division world champions.

Now, he stands as the only seven-division champion in the world. “Sa wakas, nakamit na rin natin ang isa sa pinakamatayog na record sa boxing,” the pound-for-pound king remarked.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title, which he claimed from Cotto over a week ago, is the latest addition to his other titles: flyweight (World Boxing Council), super bantamweight (WBC and International Boxing Federation), featherweight (World Boxing Association, IBF and Ring Magazine), super featherweight (WBC and Ring), lightweight (WBC), and junior welterweight (International Boxing Organization and Ring).

Difficult time

He admitted that wining his latest world title was definitely not a walk in the park, as evidenced by his right ear injury, plus the fact that the “Firepower” bout nearly went the distance.

“Labis po talaga ang hirap na dinanas ko sa laban na ito. Namaga po ang aking tainga at tiniis ko lahat ang sakit ng suntok na binitawan ng aking kalaban na talaga namang isa sa pinakamahirap kong nakalaban simula pa noong ako ay natutong magboksing,” noted Pacquiao.

“Malakas din talaga si Cotto, pero hindi ko ipinahalata na nasasaktan ako sa kaniyang mga suntok at bagkus ay pinag-ibayo ko ang aking pag-atake at ang pagpapanggap na hindi ako tinatablan ng kaniyang mga suntok,” he added.

Pacquiao, who is coming off an 11-match winning streak, said he was able to take the pain caused by Cotto because of the support of his fans and his love of country.

Prior to his victory over Cotto, Pacquiao scored a sensational second round knockout of Briton Ricky Hatton on May 2.

Family time

“Itong nakaraang isa’t-kalahating taon ang isa sa mga pinakamatinding taon ng aking boxing career kaya naman tama lamang na makapagbakasyon ako ng kahit kaunti,” he commented.

Pacquiao arrived in the country on Friday and was given a hero’s welcome. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo even conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu on him.

He revealed that he is currently in Sarangani province where he is relaxing and spending time with his wife, Jinkee, and children Jimuel, Michael, Princess and Queen Elizabeth.

The Filipino boxing superstar is setting his sights on the congressional seat of Sarangani province for next year’s elections.