By Rey Danseco

FILIPINO superstar Manny Pacquiao is currently the IBO and Ring Magazine light welterweight champion but he seems to be more proud of his prior achievements with the WBC belt.

The 30-year old Filipino brought a replica of the WBC world championship belt and personally handed it to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during their meeting on Monday at the Government House in Bangkok .

Pacquiao won three WBC world titles to become the first Asian boxer to have won five world titles in five different divisions.

At the tender age of 19, Pacquiao, who at that time was the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation king, captured the WBC flyweight title via 8th round knockout win against Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul in Phuttamonthon , Thailand in December of 1998.

After a title defense in Manila against Mexico ’s Gabriel Mira, Pacquiao made his second and last bout in Thailand in September of 1999. He lost the belt on the scales before he was clobbered in the third round with body shots of another Thai, Medgoen Singsurat, during their bout in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. helped Pacquiao get a shot at the vacant WBC International super bantamweight title on December 18, 1999, the night after his 20th birthday. Pacquiao stopped Reynante Jamili in the second round to claim the belt that he defended five times, four of those victories were under Elorde’s boxing shows.

The defenses paved the way for further opportunities of the future pound for pound champion. He won the IBF super bantamweight in his US debut in June 2001, WBC super featherweight in March 2008, WBC lightweight belt in June of the same year and then the IBO and  Ring Magazine titles early this month.

Pacquiao also gave the Thai official a pair of signed Thai-made boxing gloves. Abhisit, as gesture of gratitude, gave Pacquiao a basket of fruit filled with lanzoneses, mangosteens, leeches, rambutans and oranges, and a framed picture.

Abhisit believes that Pacquiao’s achievements inspire the youth in Southeast Asia where boxing is popular.

"He helps promote Asians' reputation," the prime minister was quoted as saying by Bangkok Post after a meeting with the Filipino at Government House. "He is a good example for children in the region and inspires them to take up boxing."

Pacquiao, who recently appointed as “ambassador for peace” by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, responded positively.

"I always dedicate my fights to my country," said Pacquiao. "But I know that many Thais follow my fights. I am honored that they consider my victories as theirs. I hope to be able to continue to make Thais proud.

"I also hope that this trip will help inspire Thai youth to take up sports and become the next generation of champions from Southeast Asia ."

WBC vice-president and Thai police General Kovid Bhakdibhumi also dubbed Pacquiao as “Hero of All Asia”.

"Manny Pacquiao is not just a hero of the Philippines, he is the hero of all Asia ," Pol Gen Kovid was quoted as saying during the press conference at Intercontinental Hotel. "He sets a very good example, both in and out of the ring, with the way he conducts himself. His victory is also our victory”.

The two Thai leaders never made a mistake in their point of view and Pacquiao has realized his hope of giving the Thai youth an inspiration, including women’s boxers.

 "Women's boxing is becoming more popular in the USA, Mexico , Japan and the Philippines ," said promoter Kokiet Panichyarom. "There are opportunities for our boxers to shine on the international stage."

WBC interim super-flyweight champion Usanakorn Kokietgym (4-0, 4 KOs ) admitted Pacquiao is her idol by beating Mexicans, Americans, Brits among others.

The 23-year old Thai champ is slated to face WBC super flyweight queen Ana Maria Torres (17-3-2, 11 KOs) at Centro Banamex in Mexico City on June 13 on the undercard of a fight featureing Nicaraguan Juan Palacios against local prospect Erik Ramirez for the WBC interim minimumweight title. The bouts will be televised live on Channel 7 from 10am on Sunday June 14 in Thailand .

"I am a real boxer," declared Usanakorn, a two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist. "I want to prove my ability and be recognized as a true champion like Manny Pacquiao is in men's boxing."