Manny Pacquiao title haul lifts Filipino spirits

Manila: From air-conditioned shopping malls and hotels to packed parks and covered public halls across the country, Filipinos Sunday erupted in celebration as boxer Manny Pacquiao won his record eighth world title.

Pacquiao, a congressman and widely regarded as the planet's best pound-for-pound fighter, won a unanimous points victory over Mexican Antonio Margarito in Texas, adding the WBC super welterweight crown to seven previous world titles.

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"Manny made all of us proud by punishing Margarito with body punches and jabs to his face," Pedro de Jesus, a 62-year-old taxi driver told Reuters as he left a park in Manila's slums after the bout, which took place Sunday afternoon at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

"He was not only a great boxer but he was also a very humane fighter. He was asking the referee to stop the fight because he doesn't want to hurt Margarito further."

Huge screens

In Marikina City in the capital, some Filipino fans were perched on trees, lamp posts and concrete walls to get a better view of huge TV screens set up in a crowded public park.

"Go, Manny, go!" could be heard every time Pacquiao's left hand connected with Margarito's face, the crowd egging him to finish off the Mexican in the 11th round when his opponent, bloodied and face swollen, was no longer fighting back.

Video: Fans in Dubai cheer for Pacquiao: