Pinoy fans celebrate Pacquiao victory

Filipinos celebrated the victory of Manny Pacquiao after he beat American boxer Timothy Bradley and regained the WBO welterweight crown via a unanimous decision in Las Vegas, United States on Sunday (April 9).

Hundreds of boxing fans watching the free public viewing being broadcast live over large LED screens at a public park in Manila's eastern suburb of Marikina shouted words of encouragement as the Filipino boxer landed punches on Bradley.

Pacquiao, who bounced back from a controversial split-decision defeat to Bradley in 2012 with a decisive win two years later, delivered the final blow, earning loud cheers from fans when the Filipino boxer was declared the victor.

"For us Filipinos, we're very happy for Manny Pacquiao on his victory. We're very delighted that our prayers were answered when he won the fight," said James Moreno, a retired employee and fan of Pacquiao.

He also speculated as to whether Pacquiao will indeed retire from boxing.

"He can retire if he wants as long as Mayweather does not challenge him, but what if Pacquiao is challenged again by Mayweather, then he would have to accept it. Mayweather would have to decide if he can challenge Manny because he was able to end his fight well," he said.

It was Pacquiao's first fight for nearly a year after his defeat by Floyd Mayweather and was supposed to be his final professional fight as the two-term sitting congressman promised to concentrate on politics and his family.

"I think this fight will be a big help to his candidacy for senator," said Timoteo Molina, a pensioner who watched the game.

After the ring victory, the 37-year-old former world boxing eight-division champion is looking for a knock-out win in next month's elections in the Philippines as opinion polls showed him in tenth place for 12 vacant seats in the upper house of Congress.

In February, Pacquiao was at the centre of a controversy over a remark he made in an interview on Philippine TV when the devout Christian was asked his view on same-sex marriage, saying gays are "worse than animals".

The Filipino southpaw later apologised on Twitter after the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community worldwide reacted to his comments.

He lost a Nike sponsorship over the controversy and his retinue fended off a potential assault attempt outside a Los Angeles restaurant from someone enraged by his remark. —Reuters