Pacquiao says on-going pandemic is his toughest bout yet

Manny Pacquiao may not have stepped into a boxing ring in 2020, but the fight he entered was the toughest one yet.

The fighting senator out of General Santos City, who has been active in doling out relief goods all throughout the past year, admitted that the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is the hardest bout he has ever figured in.

“Sa buong career ko, matagal ko ng nakasama ang Philippine Sportswriters Association. Sa bawat laban ko, hindi niyo ako iniwan. Pero noong nakaraang taon, lahat tayo ay nagsama-sama kontra sa iisang kalaban, ang COVID,” said Pacquiao, who has fought legends like Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar Dela Hoya, Shane Mosley, and, of course, Floyd Mayweather.

“Hindi man ako lumaban sa boxing noong nakaraang taon, ito ang pinaka mabigat na laban na nakaharap ko dahil nadama ko ang hirap na binibigay nito sa ating mga kababayan.”

Because of his efforts, Chooks-to-Go and the PSA honored Pacquiao with the Manok ng Bayan Fan Favorite award — an award previously received by Terrance Romeo, Kai Sotto, and the Philippine Men’s National 3×3 basketball pool.

Throughout the pandemic, Pacquiao has gone to affected communities all over the country to dole out relief goods and financial assistance.

“Kaya sa aking maliit na paraan, sinikap namin na pumunta sa mga probinsya upang magbigay ng pagkain, kaunting tulong, at saya sa ating mga kababayan. Natutuwa din ako na nakasama ko ang presidente ng Chooks-to-Go na si Kuya Ronald [Mascarinas] sa pagtulong sa ating mga kapatid na nangangailangan,” said Pacquiao, a five-time PSA Athlete of the Year awardee.

“Pinapatunayan nito na kaya nating tumulong sa ating mga kababayan — kahit sinoman tayo.”

Pacquiao, a PSA Hall of Famer as well, though deferred the award to those who have been at the forefront of this war — the frontiners.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa PSA at sa Chooks-to-Go para sa Manok ng Bayan award na ito. Pero ang award na ito ay para sa lahat ng frontliners natin at sa bawat Pilipino na lumalaban pa rin para sa ating bayan.”