AFP chief not among doubters of Pacquiao victory

Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez on Sunday (Manila time) may have raised questions among boxing fans, including Filipinos, but for Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban, the Filipino boxing icon's triumph was convincing enough. “I think he really won the fight," said Oban. “He remains a wonder of the world in boxing and Filipinos. The Armed Forces of the Philippines in one with the millions of Filipinos in joining the rest of the world in [celebrating) the triumph." Pacquiao, who is also a congressman representing Sarangani province, is in the Army’s reserve force with a rank of lieutenant colonel. Pacquiao won over Marquez via majority decision to retain his WBO Welterweight crown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, many disagreed with the decision, believing that the Mexican was the better fighter. Oban, who predicted an eighth round victory for Pacquiao, acknowledged that both fighters “demonstrated a good fight." “It’s still a good win although he (Pacquiao) did not knock him (Marquez) out. They both demonstrated a good fight," said Oban, adding that he never doubted a Pacquiao win from the start. AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said the whole military organization will continue to get inspiration from Pacquiao. “His discipline, dedication, and hard-work will continue to drive our soldiers to do their utmost best in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities and in the fulfillment of their mandates to the nation," he said in a statement congratulating the Filipino boxing icon. Burgos said Pacquiao’s “audacity and boldness" in the boxing ring “must be emulated by our soldiers in winning the fight for peace for the Filipino people in a different arena." - KBK, GMA News