Tun Dr Mahathir Meets Manny Pacquiao Ahead of His Championship Fight In Kuala Lumpur.

PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao sprang a birthday surprise for Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during a courtesy call on the premier on Thursday (July 12).

The Philippine senator turned up at the Perdana Leadership Foundation complex with a birthday cake and a present for Dr Mahathir.

He appeared very happy when meeting and wishing Happy Birthday to the prime minister who turned 93 on Tuesday (July 10).

Both of them then spent half an hour in a closed-door meeting.

When they emerged from the meeting, Dr Mahathir showed the awaiting press the birthday present he received from Pacquiao, a pair of yellow boxing gloves that he'd slipped onto his hands. 

Pacquiao said he had been admiring Dr Mahathir, describing him as a "good man and good leader of the country".

“This courtesy call is to thank him (Dr Mahathir) for the support of the Malaysian government for the (boxing) event this coming Sunday and also to have a good relationship with the Prime Minister,” he added.

Pacquiao is scheduled to face the Argentinean World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse in a “Fight of the Champions” at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil on Sunday (July 15).

Pacquiao said that he had sent an invitation to Dr Mahathir to watch the fight alongside Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Dr Mahathir told me that he would try his best to come. I am so ready for the fight and I would like to invite the Malaysian people to watch it on Sunday," he said.

Pacquiao added that it is a honour and privilege to have the fight here in Malaysia.

It is going to be a good fight which will be attended by thousands of boxing fans,” he said. - Bernama

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/07/12/manny-pacquiao-surprises-dr-mahathir-with-cake-and-boxing-gloves/#a41woOEu7xD4oW0F.99



Pacquiao meets Malaysian PM Mahathir ahead of fight

Karl Cedrick Basco, ABS-CBN News


Posted at Jul 12 2018 07:01 PM
Manny Pacquiao and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad

KUALA LUMPUR -- Senator and Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao on Thursday paid a courtesy call to newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, three days before his fight against Lucas Matthysse in Axiata Stadium.

Pacquiao was joined by his Executive Secretary Stephanny Rolle Domingo and MP Promotions business director Arnold Vegafria, as seen in the photos.

Pacquiao thanked the Malaysian government for its active role in promoting the event in Kuala Lumpur.

DYAN CASTILLEJO@DYANCASTILLEJO

 · 2h

Sen @mannypacquiao mannypacquiao pays courtesy call to Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, thanking him for the support of the Malaysian Govt. Pacquiao then gave the Prime Minister boxing gloves and invited him to watch the fight on Sunday #PacquiaoXMatthysseKL pic.twitter.com/WSxoyIFvfe

DYAN CASTILLEJO@DYANCASTILLEJO

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad shows the boxing gloves given to him by Sen @mannypacquiao #pacquiaoxmatthysseKL pic.twitter.com/GKgHrV4EnK

5:52 PM - Jul 12, 2018

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The Filipino boxer also gave Mahathir a pair of yellow boxing gloves which the Malaysian leader gladly wore. 

Manny Pacquiao and his group have a photo with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad

He also invited Mahathir to watch the match on Sunday.