PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Reuters) — Filipino boxer and senator Manny Pacquiao met with Cambodian tourism minister Thoang Khon on Wednesday (December 14) and several local boxers in Phnom Penh.
Pacquiao is visiting Cambodia in efforts to better ties with the Philippines along with President Rodrigo Duterte is also making a state visit to the country as well.
Pacquiao, a professional boxer who in November won the World Boxing Organization’s welterweight title in Las Vegas, is hugely popular in Cambodia. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is also a fan, according to local media reports citing Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Christopher Montero.
Pacquiao was handed a bouquet of flowers when he was greeted by the tourism minister, who is also the president of the Cambodian Boxing Association, and several local boxers waited in a large hall to meet their boxing idol.
During Duterte’s two-day state visit, Cambodia and the Philippines are expected to reach agreements regarding tourism, international crime, and sports, according to local media.
