The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is still proud of boxing icon Sen. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao despite his loss against Cuban Yordenis Ugas for showing perseverance despite the odds during the match.

In a statement Monday, AFP spokesperson, Army Col. Ramon Zagala, said Pacquiao, a military reservist, had “nothing more to prove” in boxing having won major world titles in eight different weight divisions.

“We are proud of our champion, for even in defeat he has inspired and shown our soldiers the value of fighting for your country to the end,” Zagala said. “Our eight-division world champion, senator, and brother in the reserve force has nothing more to prove for he has already won the hearts and minds of every Filipino around the world.”

In a battle pitting boxers who saw their original opponents backing out due to eye injuries, the 42-year-old Pacquiao looked sluggish in his first bout in two years, and the 35-year-old Ugas banked on his reach advantage to connect jabs eventually swelled Pacquiao’s face a bit early on.

The fighting senator would put up a gallant fight, even turning the jets early into Round 10, but Ugas closed out the match on a strong note, delivering haymakers to Pacquiao in the final two periods.

Two judges had it 116-112, while the third juror scored the bout 115-113 all in favor of Ugas, who moved up to 27-4. Pacquiao, on the other hand, fell to 62-8-2.

Pacquiao first enlisted in the Army Reserve Force with the rank of sergeant in 2006.

Pacquiao was then promoted to technical sergeant in the same year, rising through the ranks when he became a master sergeant in 2009.

In December 2017, Pacquiao was promoted to the rank of a full-fledged colonel after finishing his General Staff course.

Prior to this, his promotion to lieutenant colonel was approved in September 2011 as recommended by Army officials. (PNA)