MANILA: The Philippines’ top boxing champion yesterday conceded defeat after his petite female opponent knocked him out in a fight for a congressional seat in his home province.
Manny Pacquiao, the WBC International super featherweight champion, ran for the House of Representatives in the first district of South Cotabato province, his home province.
Pacquiao, a supporter of President Arroyo, faced off with re-electionist opposition Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
Custodio won with 139,061 votes, while Pacquiao received only 75,908 votes
“I have accepted the results,” Pacquiao said. “I just hope that she will fulfil her promises to help the poor. If that happens, I will be happy, it would be like I won too.”
The 130-pound boxer had held off conceding defeat until election officials proclaimed Custodio, 90-pound veteran, winner on Sunday.
The Philippines held mid-term elections on May 14.– DPA |
