All hail the People's Champ?

The Philippines erupted in euphoria last weekend as Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao knocked out Britain’s Ricky Hatton in the second round, making history as one of the world’s greatest fighters.

With the win, Pacquiao matched a boxing record of holding titles in six different weight divisions.

Millions of Filipinos who packed cinemas, restaurants and public gymnasiums to watch the fight cheered and shouted when Pacquiao sent Hatton flat on his back with a left hook in the second round.

"Manny, you’re the greatest," shouted one man watching the fight in a restaurant in Manila’s Quezon City.

"That was an overwhelming performance we just saw," a companion said.

In the first round, Hatton kissed the canvass twice after being pummelled by Pacquiao’s left and right hooks.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, on a visit to Egypt, hailed the win as another great victory.