Politicians across Negros Occidental lauded Senator Manny Pacquiao’s unanimous decision win over Adrien Broner and retaining his World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight belt yesterday.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who was in Las Vegas for the fight, pointed out how the fighter’s age was not a factor.

“What we just saw was the same Manny Pacquiao at the prime of his boxing career,” he said in a statement. “It was amazing to watch a 40-year-old boxer still with so much speed and power.”

“While other boxers see their careers decline upon reaching [their] 30s, Manny is even still ‘peaking up,’” the mayor added.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson offered his congratulations to the Filipino fighter, also touting the boxer’s age.

 “The fighting senator is still at his prime despite his age,” the 2019 gubernatorial candidate said. “He can still challenge those who are younger than him in the industry.”

“He has proven it twice,” he added.

Prior to Sunday’s bout, Pacquiao last fought Argentine Lucas Matthysse, who was four years younger, and won by TKO. Broner, meanwhile, is 11 years younger than the Filipino boxer.

Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez also remarked on age, pointing out, “[Pacquiao] did not show his age.”

Bacolod City Councilor Caesar Distrito published a post about the fight, saying, whenever the senator enters the ring “the nation standstill, works stop, traffic is clear, crime is zero.”

“He never failed all of us,” the city official added./DGB, WDJ