Fighters trade kudos in rounds on Capitol Hill

Harry Reid and Manny Pacquiao both grew up in poverty: Reid in Searchlight, and Pacquiao in the southern Philippines.

Now at the top of their professions, the Senate majority leader from Nevada and the championship boxer and Philippine congressman swapped gifts and compliments during a joint appearance in the Capitol.

Reid, who was an amateur boxer in his youth, said he would have lasted no more than seconds in the ring with Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion whom Reid introduced as “the greatest fighter of all time.”

“Everyone knows how much I admire people who get in the ring, whether it is the boxing ring or the political ring,” Reid said.

He said Pacquiao has stood out not only as an athlete described as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world but also as a role model as he was elected in May to the House of Representatives in the Philippines.

“The Filipino community looks up to Manny,” Reid said in a Senate speech introducing Pacquiao. “He sets a welcome example of an athlete who does good for many. He is someone who isn’t in public service for fame or glory or money but because he knows people need his voice.”

The two met through Las Vegas fight promoter Bob Arum, who arranged for Pacquiao to campaign for Reid in the final days of last fall’s Senate race. Reid, who said that about 80,000 people of Filipino descent live in Nevada, recalled the enthusiasm displayed toward the fighter at an Oct. 29 event at Orr Middle School.

Reid said he was returning the gesture as Pacquiao was in Washington to promote his May 7 fight in Las Vegas against Shane Mosley.

In his office, Reid showed Pacquiao and his wife, Jinkee, the Order of the Golden Heart award he received in 2008 from Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

At a press event afterward, the senator presented Pacquiao with a U.S. flag that had been flown over the Capitol.

Pacquiao reciprocated by giving the Nevadan a flag of the Philippines. He described his visit as “an incredible moment” and a hope that the friendship between the United States and the Philippines will continue to grow.

Reid confirmed that he had arranged for Pacquiao and his wife to meet at the White House with President Barack Obama on Tuesday afternoon.

“Everyone has to understand I try not to bother the president, but I bothered him on this occasion,” Reid said. “The president should acknowledge this man and the enthusiasm that people here in America have for him.”

Arum told reporters, “The fact that the senator would walk Manny onto the floor of the Senate is a great honor.”

He said Pacquiao campaigning for Reid “certainly helped” the senator win re-election.

“You can believe or disbelieve polls, but on the Friday before Election Day, Harry was four points behind, and on Election Day he won by five points,” Arum said. “A lot of that was the enthusiasm that Manny created, no doubt about it.

“Sharron Angle elected to have John McCain at her final rally,” Arum said. “I don’t know what you think of John McCain, but he is no contest for Manny Pacquiao.”

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephens
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