Hillary wishes Pacquiao well in fight

LAS VEGAS – Once a self-confessed Manny Pacquiao fan, US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton – in a video interview by a media outfit – appeared to have no idea that the Filipino icon has an upcoming fight.

When told that Pacquiao is set to take on WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas, Clinton offered kind words for the boxer.

“Oh he’s fighting again? Oh well, I wish him well in his fight,” Clinton told Bev LLorente of ABS-CBN North America News Bureau.

Clinton herself is engaged in a tussle, but in the political arena against Republican candidate Donald Trump in the US presidential elections.

During his sessions with reporters here this week, Pacquiao parried questions about his preference between Clinton and Trump, saying he cannot comment on the matter, being a Filipino politician.

“It is up to you Americans to decide (who to vote for),” said Pacquiao.

Clinton, meanwhile, had admitted being a big fan of Pacquiao before.

“Of course, the Pacman is going to win...Is there any doubt?” she once told students at forum in a Manila university in 2009, when asked about Pacquiao’s then-scheduled fight against Miguel Cotto.

Then in 2011, the former US secretary of state commended Pacquiao for pulling off a close decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez in their third fight.

“We know that Pacman had another great victory. I am a major Pacman fan and in the spirit of his sport and his success, let me say that the United States will always be in the corner of the Philippines,” Clinton said.

This time though, the Democratic presidential nominee did not say she’s rooting for Pacquiao, perhaps aware that Vargas is an American.

For Clinton, simply wishing Pacquiao good luck will do.