Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao said a prayer for the victims of Typhoon Frank and the M/V Princess of the Stars at a mass at his suite before dethroning David Diaz in a World Boxing Council lightweight bout at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas yesterday, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said.

Leonardia, who carried the belt of Pacquiao into the ring at the start of the fight in Las Vegas, said Pacquiao despite his success continues to show humility and kindheartedness.

After the fight Pacquiao hugged Diaz twice, once near the ring and in an accidental meeting near the dressing room, the mayor said.

“Manny’s victory is a breath of fresh air at a time when the country has been hit by calamity. This certainly is a big moral booster,” he said.

“To Manny’s credit during his traditional pre-fight mass he instead of praying for his victory prayed for the victims of the typhoon,” Leonardia said.

With Pacquiao’s win he is now immortalized as the new number one pound for pound boxer in the whole world, especially with the retirement of Floyd Mayweather Jr., the mayor added.

Leonardia has carried the belt of Pacquiao into the ring in five of his fights and has attended the masses he holds in his suite prior to every fight.*CPG

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