MANILA (AFP) – A aching but animated Manny Pacquiao enjoyed a hero's acceptable as he alternate home to the Philippines on Friday, with masses of bodies demography to the streets and acclamation him as the best boxer of all time. The nation's accomplished baronial admiral abutting the atomic of hole citizenry in advantageous admiration to Pacquiao afterwards he burst Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto to become the alone man in history to win seven titles in as abounding weight classes.
"If Muhammad Ali was one in a actor during his time, and everybody said he was one in a million, Manny is one in 6.7 billion. No one can compare," gushed Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza. Related article: Pacquiao-Mayweather accessible mega fight
Pacquiao was initially greeted with an airport banner that read: "Welcome home, the world's best boxer of all time." Those sentiments were expressed by tens of thousands of fans who gathered in Manila later for a street parade.
"It's a momentous event in the history of the Philippines, that's why we're here," said government veterinarian Minnie Lopez, as others in the crowd waved, ran beside the float or took photos on their mobile phones of the "Pacman".
Pacquiao returned from last weekend's fight against Cotto in Las Vegas with his right ear still bandaged, his right hand in a black splint and a dark shadow under on of his eyes.
But he wore his bandages with pride.
"I did not remove them so the people would know how hard this job is," he said.
After the parade, Pacquiao was officially feted at a central Manila park, where President Gloria Arroyo conferred on him the ceremonial "Sikatuna Award".
Normally reserved for foreign heads of state, the award cited the 30-year-old "for achieving a feat unprecedented in boxing history".
Pacquiao's victory over Cotto cemented his reputation as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, a title disputed by American Floyd Mayweather, the previous holder of the mythical tag and potential next opponent.
In another honour that highlighted his importance to the 92 million people of the impoverished Philippines, the Roman Catholic church broke with custom and allowed him to deliver a speech at a Manila church before the parade.
"I live my life like every day is the last. I am proud for having attained this record," the devout Catholic told the other churchgoers, mostly ordinary Filipinos who had waited for hours to catch a glimpse of their hero.
"It is because of God and your prayers that I succeeded in my fights. I believe in the power of God, 100 percent."
Looking ahead, Pacquiao said he wanted to relax at his mansion on the southern island of Mindanao before taking care of business -- including filing his candidacy for a congressional seat in next year's elections.
Pacquiao has for many years expressed an interest in politics but he lost in his first attempt for a seat in parliament in 2007.
Many of his countrymen believe mixing the brutal sport of prize fighting with the even more savage arena of Filipino politics is a career track he should avoid.
Asked if she thought Pacquiao would make a good Philippine president, as some Filipinos think he eventually would, the government vet Lopez gave a definitive no.
"He should stick to boxing," she said.
But even if he fails in politics, Pacquiao can look forward to cashing in on his status as a national treasure in other ways.
He has already parlayed his boxing fame into a successful show business career, playing starring roles in top-rating movies and a television sitcom, while earning tens of millions of dollars in endorsements.
However his fame has also brought him personal trouble, amid persistent rumours about extra-marital affairs. This week he was forced to admonish the press for focusing on the unsubstantiated rumours.
Amid the hype in the Philippines, Pacquiao also showed he had not forgotten about his boxing future either, as he landed a verbal jab at Mayweather ahead of their potential blockbuster bout.
"We are not forcing a fight with him. It is right that he is the one challenging me, because my fights score more on pay-per-view," he said.
