Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas Nevada

LAS VEGAS -- Wherever Manny Pacquiao goes, it seems there are crowds waiting to cheer him. Today, for example, it has taken him 30 minutes to fight his way from the entrance of the MGM Grand to a small group of reporters waiting in a room at the other end of the lobby. It is a degree of adoration that has prompted his promoter, Bob Arum, with perhaps just a pinch of hyperbole -- but not necessarily much more than that -- to dub Pacquiao the most popular athlete in the world today. It is a designation from which the man himself shrinks.

Manny Pacquiao pummels Margarito for 8th Championship title

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Manny Pacquiao more than made up with speed what he lacked in size.
Giving away both pounds and inches, boxing's little superstar turned Antonio Margarito into a bloody and nearly blind fighter with a dizzying array of punches Saturday night in a lopsided decision victory that wasn't close from the opening rounds on.
In a spectacular performance before a delighted crowd of 41,734 at Cowboys Stadium, Pacquiao cemented his claim to being the best fighter in the world by dominating the bigger but slower Margarito almost from the opening bell. Pacquiao won round after round, opening a cut on Margarito's cheek, closing his right eye, and turning his face into a bloody mess.

Pacquiao vs. Margarito and F1 Finale: Two Sporting Events Hard to Miss this Weekend

Two important sporting events are happening this weekend.

The ever popular and the Hon. Manny Pacquiao, our Congressman in Sarangani Province will once again go up to the ring to fight the not so popular Antonio Margarito for the vacant World Boxing Council super welterweight division. Where else would this event be held? There's no other place to hold  a fight as huge as this than in the gambling capital of the US, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Racing fanatics on the other hand, will have to fasten their seat belts to watch the finale of the Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi featuring four title contenders for the most coveted 2010 Formula 1 Champion.

Manny Pacquiao's fight against Margarito has already been labeled as lopsided and very predictable. Manny's coach Freddie Roach predicted "the fight will be short and sweet". Many people consider that if Manny is serious with pounding hard Margarito, the fight will be over in just one round. What can make this fight exciting and interesting for us Filipinos? Well, after Manny has boxed out Margarito, he will  claim  his 8th championship title never been done before by any professional boxer since its inception (really???). That's how great Manny is! He should be regarded then as the best pound for pound king following this fight, after Mayweather Jr. reclaimed this title earlier this year.

Boxing: Roach sets eight-week camp for Pacman

FREDDIE ROACH THINKS MANNY PACQUIAO is in for a tough fight against Miguel
Cotto on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

But the famed trainer also feels that his prized ward will come out the
winner of the fight set at a catch weight of 145 pounds.

Pacquiao, the International Boxing Organization light welterweight titlist,
has been installed as an early 2-1 favorite over Cotto, the World Boxing
Organization welterweight champion.

Roach said he plans to conduct at least an eight-week training camp for
Pacquiao at his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

The serious buildup starts after the fight's press tour calendared in Los
Angeles (Sept. 9), New York (Sept. 10) and San Juan, Puerto Rico, (Sept.
12).

Noting Pacquiao's impressive wins in his last two fights, an eight-round
stoppage of Oscar De La Hoya and a two-round demolition of Ricky Hatton,
Roach told Brad Cooney of 8countnews.com via podcast on Tuesday that he's
very confident the world's best pound-for-pound fighter will emerge
victorious over the Puerto Rican.

Cotto was described by Roach as a "solid fighter and a game guy who likes to
fight," adding that Pacquiao has to deal with the Puerto Rican's perceived
built-in advantage in size and strength.

This early, Roach said he wants to watch tapes of Cotto's previous fights,
specifically his triumph over Shane Mosley, to come up with a game plan.

"We'll be ready for this fight," Roach said.

Boxing: Cotto, Pacquiao agree fight on November 14

A deal has been completed for boxing's biggest fight of the fall: a showdown between pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and welterweight titleholder Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao and Cotto, two of boxing's most popular and crowd-pleasing fighters, will meet at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Nov. 14 (HBO PPV), Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said on Monday.

"It's done," said Arum, who was back at work in his Las Vegas office after a vacation in London and Italy and attending a wedding in Israel. "While I was away I reached a verbal agreement with each side. Pacquiao committed to the fight this weekend and Cotto the week before while I was in Israel. I was on the phone all the time trying to get this done."

Arum said his attorney, Michael Heitner, was preparing the documents for signatures.

"But everything is agreed or I wouldn't say what I am saying," Arum said. "The weight, the percentages, the guarantees -- it's all agreed to."

Although the percentage split was not disclosed, Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) will receive more than 50 percent of the money. That was never a serious sticking point, however. The key holdup had been the contract weight.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), a titleholder at 147 pounds, had agreed to drop below the welterweight limit for the fight. Pacquiao, the 140-pound junior welterweight champion, wanted him to come all the way down to 143 pounds. Cotto refused. Ultimately, they agreed on a 145-pound maximum weight.

Pacquiao, 30, the national hero of the Philippines, scored a sensational knockout of Ricky Hatton to win the junior welterweight title on May 2 at the MGM Grand. The victory gave Pacquiao a world championship in a record-tying sixth weight division.Cotto, 28, of Puerto Rico, is coming off a bloody split decision victory in a title defense against Joshua Clottey on June 13 at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Given their penchant for all-action brawls, Arum said he had high expectations that Cotto and Pacquiao would produce another memorable fight.

"I'm really excited because it's a real fight. These are two real warriors," Arum said. "Whichever way this fight goes, I think it's going to be a classic because of the way these guys fight. There will be a lot of engagement. They're great fighters. Cotto and Pacquiao are gutty guys. If you want blood and action and excitement, this is the fight."

Arum said tickets would go on sale in late August followed by a three-city press tour.

"I want to get it done the week after Labor Day so I don't interfere with the Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez fight," he said. "I don't want [Golden Boy Promotions] saying I jumped them."

Arum said the tentative tour schedule would be Sept. 9 in Los Angeles, Sept. 10 in New York and Sept. 12 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"Pacquiao and Cotto are both very pumped up for the fight," he said.

Boxing: Pacquiao's secret in toppling opponents

MALUNGON, Sarangani, Philippines—Ever wondered what keeps boxing icon Manny Pacquiao going and possibly one of his secrets in toppling his ring opponents?

Pacquiao, who has a reputation for demolishing his opponents through powerful punches, on Tuesday provided some hints on how he keeps in shape and maintains his strength.

“Hindi lang dapat puro karne ang kainin natin (We should not eat just meat),” he said during the fellowship lunch he hosted for some 500 participants to the three-day vegetable congress here that also started on Tuesday.

Pacquiao said Filipinos need to learn to eat vegetables as well.

“Kailangan nating kumain ng marami at sari-saring gulay upang lumakas ang ating resistensya at katawan (We need to eat many and different vegetables to have strong resistance and bodies),” the southpaw said to his guests, led by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.

As if to show to his guests that he was serious in his call for increased vegetable consumption, the pugilist from General Santos City toured them around his 10-hectare vegetable farm here.

Pacquiao said vegetables have many health benefits and that he owed his being in shape to eating them.

He said during his rigid pre-fight training, he made sure that he consumes lots of vegetables.

Yap agreed by saying: “We need to eat lots of vegetables and fruits to sustain and maintain a healthy life.”

He said even the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommends that a person should consume at least 75 kilograms of vegetable in a year to remain healthy.

“We in the Philippines consume just half of that,” Yap said.

Increasing vegetable consumption among Filipinos was one of the reasons the three-day national vegetable congress was held here (July 14-16), he said.

The congress was aimed not only at helping stakeholders and boosting the vegetable industry but also instill in the minds of the participants the value and benefits of eating vegetables, Yap said.

Among the issues tackled in the congress was the revival of the Philippine Vegetable Industry Development Board (PVIDB) Technical Working Group.

The organizers, among them the Department of Agriculture (DA), said the reactivation of the PVIDB-TWG would play a vital role in boosting the country’s vegetable industry.

Tommy Ala, DA director for Central Mindanao, said the region, which has about 10,000 vegetable farmers, has the advantage to boost production because it is typhoon-free.

“This is to our great advantage. Vegetable farmers can plant whole year round. Given the right technology, opportunity, and government support, local vegetable growers can enhance their production capability resulting to a much better income generation,” Ala said.

Central Mindanao accounts for about 30 percent of the country’s total vegetable production, according to Ala.

Jose Victor Santos, president of the Central Mindanao Vegetables Industry and Development Council (Cemvidec), said his organization also wanted to unify the efforts of industry players to make an impact in the government’s food sufficiency and poverty alleviation program.

Boxing: Pacquiao’s aide wins WBA junior welter crown

Another protege of renowned trainer Freddie Roach, and a sparmate of superstar Manny Pacquiao, took boxing's centerstage yesterday with a dominant win in the United Kingdom.

Former Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan pounded out a unanimous decision win over German Andriy Kotelnik to claim the WBA 140-pound title in their 12-round showdown yesterday at the MEN Arena in Manchester.

Khan, who was getting instructions from Roach in his corner, outboxed and dominated Kotelnik en route to a 120-108, 118-111, and 118-111 win.

The victory of Khan solidified Roach's status as the world's best boxing tactician, earning for himself his 25th world champion.

The win also improved the Bolton native’s record to 21 wins, 1 loss with 15 KOs, and put him among the list of the world's premier fighters.

It was Roach who turned Khan into a much-improved fighter after the latter's first-round knockout loss to Breidis Prescott last year.

Hours before Khan's win, Prescott took on a different career route when he was outpointed by Miguel Vazquez at the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

With Khan's victory, reports are suggesting that a fight with British Ricky Hatton can be made, which is going to be a major attraction on British soil.

"I just want to enjoy this for a while!" Roach told Sky Box Office. "We'll probably defend this somewhere down the line, maybe Ricky Hatton down the line. If he decides to continue I am sure he'd want to fight again for a 140-pound title and it will be a big fight here in England. So I am sure it could happen."

Hatton has been hospitalized this week due to stomach problems, and has yet to decide whether he will continue his career following his monumental defeat at the hands of Filipino boxing idol Pacquiao.http://sports.inquirer.net/sport/boxing/view/20090720-216353/Pacquiaos-aide-wins-WBA-junior-welter-crown

Boxing: Hatton not fighting Khan yet

MANCHESTER, England (AP)—With Amir Khan now a world champion, many English boxing fans will be hoping to see him in the ring with Ricky Hatton.

Though the 22-year-old Khan’s trainer is enthusiastic about a Battle of Britain bout, promoter Frank Warren has strong reservations.

Hatton’s future in the sport has been in doubt since he was knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in the second round of their 140-pound title fight in May and he went to the hospital for a precautionary brain scan.

Hatton, who has been known for quickly putting on weight after fights, has returned to a hospital in his native Manchester in the past week with a stomach bug.

Warren insists that the 30-year-old Hatton is not up to fighting Khan, who captured the WBA light-welterweight title by unanimous decision against Andreas Kotelnik on Saturday.

“Ricky shouldn’t be fighting—it’s not good for boxing and it’s not good for him more importantly,” Warren said on Sunday. “He’s just been in hospital for overindulgence or whatever that may be.

“I don’t think he should fight again, he should definitely retire. If the fight happened and, God forbidden, something bad happens, everyone would blame boxing. Sometimes fighters go on and at the end of the day bad things happen.”

Trainer Freddie Roach, whose strict regime has turned around Khan’s fortunes since he was knocked out in 54 seconds by Breidis Prescott, is less gloomy about Hatton’s future prospects.

“If he does decide to fight again and continue his career, then he’s made for my guy,” Roach said. “I’d take that fight in a heartbeat.”

Khan is leaving the decision to his team.

“I’m a fan of Ricky Hatton and I’d like him to support me on the way to achieving what he’s achieved,” Khan said. “Boxing is a game where you have to face fighters, and for Britain it would be a huge fight.

“Let’s see what happens. I’ll leave it with Frank and Freddie and if they think it’s the right move for me to make, then I’ll do it.”

A more realistic prospect for Khan, after outclassing Kotelnik from start to finish with quick combinations and impressive footwork despite stepping up a division, is traveling to the United States.

“It’s time to go to America and fight the big names over there,” Khan said. “Now I’ll get people knocking on my door. I want to fight the likes of (Juan Manuel) Marquez, because I think my style will go up against theirs. … We’ll give it a few weeks and see where we go.”

Boxing: Mosley to go down to 140 to entice Pacman

By Salven Lagumbay
FORMER pound-for-pound king and current WBA welterweight king Sugar Shane Mosley has once again put superstar Manny Pacquiao on a defensive, this time challenging the Pinoy boxing icon to a fight at a weight right into the latter's alley.

Mosley, in an announcement to the media yesterday, said he is willing to move down to 140 lbs, Pacquiao's comfort zone, just to entice the latter to a fight following reports that the planned Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight hangs in the balance due to weight issues.

Cotto is reportedly willing to fight Pacquiao at 145 lbs, while the latter insists the fight be held at 143 lbs.

Mosley, in a move that surprised many, says he can take on Pacquiao at 140 and win his belt as well as reclaim the pound-for-pound title.

“I believe I can make the weight so let's do it! There should be no 143, 141 or 142 or all this other stuff. I'm going to 140 and fighting at his weight,” Mosley told Fighthype.com in an interview.

Mosley also believes that even at 145 lbs, Cotto will find it very difficult to make weight, so a Pacquiao-Cotto fight at 143 lbs is definitely not going to take place.

Aside from agreeing to fight Pacquiao at 140 lbs, Mosley also indicated he would be willing to give Pacquiao a bigger share of the purse, 60-40 in Pacquiao's favor.

“He's the champion so he's going to get more and I've got no problem with that. Let's just get this on,” added Mosley.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao's LA-based friend Jeff de Guzman has advised Pacquiao to take up the Mosley challenge instead of fighting Cotto.

“Aba, harap-harapan na niyang hinamon si Manny ah. Dapat pagbigyan na nga,” De Guzman stated, adding that a fight against Mosley will be more meaningful than a fight against Cotto.

“Mosley will be fighting for his legacy as well, and he has stated he has never won a belt at the 140-lb class, so Manny might as well fight him,” said De Guzman.

“That will be a really good fight,” added De Guzman.

Boxing: Who will preserve the Pacquiao legacy

By Recah Trinidad

THERE’S A NEW PROPOSAL FOR MANNY Pacquiao’s next big fight.

Certain quarters suggest that they skip the WBO welterweight title and stake a new crown instead.

First things first: Miguel Cotto at 143 pounds could be no better than a scarecrow.

The next question is: What does Pacquiao achieve if he crushes a slow, hollow foe?

* * *

The Pacman, naturally, rakes in the millions.

But, at the same time, an ugly possibility looms.

Pacquiao could also end up with a new title.

The Pacman could be boxing’s new Drain-Your-Pounds king.

* * *

Before you start suspecting, that was an original title imported by Dong Secuya’s philboxing.com from the United States.

Writing from Indianapolis, fight expert Dennis Guillermo warned of a gory possibility.

Guillermo, better known as dSource at the Indianapolis Fight Sports Examiner, sent Pacquiao diehards screaming in disgust when he warned that the Pacman could slide silly from his pound-for-pound throne if he ends up crushing a dried-up Cotto.

* * *

It was not clear if the warning was directed to somebody in particular.

But this should draw the attention of the great Freddie Roach, three-time Trainer of the Year.

Guillermo, in a sense, has been telling Roach that beating Cotto at 143 lb would be an empty victory.

It won’t amount to anything truly significant.

* * *

Of course, Roach will always scrape the bottom, do his best (and worst), in order to ensure a Pacman triumph.

But it might help if Roach also shares a few insights from dSource, who says that:

1) Cotto has already shown in the past he could not force his body to lose any more weight, so beating him because he is dehydrated nullifies the glory of victory.

2) It takes away from the accomplishment if Pacquiao doesn’t fight the real Cotto but a compromised version of the WBO welterweight champion.

3) If they should fight at 143 lb, the WBO crown should not be staked, because it’s not the real champion Pacquiao would be fighting.

* * *

Cotto at 143 lb could be a warrior with only one good arm, or worse.

He could be weaker, useless than a hornless bull.

“Cotto at 147 would be perfect, but Cotto at 145 or 144, which he says he could swing, would be enough to keep the fight legit,” Guillermo stresses.

Now, nobody is trying to tell Roach there’s somebody out there who could handle Pacquiao more perfectly.

* * *

But there’s also this question about legacy.

Continues Guillermo: “Pacquiao’s mystique is that of the underdog that took on all challenges. Pacquiao is about taking the biggest, most dangerous opponents.”

Now, dSource is at a loss.

“Why would Pacquiao want to taint that image now?” wonders the concerned expert.

http://sports.inquirer.net/sport/boxing/view/20090714-215327/Who-will-preserve-the-Pacquiao-legacy

Boxing: Floyd to pay Marquez if he fights Pacquiao

Undefeated former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr, in an interview with the Grand Rapids Press, informed that he is willing to pay Juan Manuel Marquez to step aside to pave the way for a showdown with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

Mayweather returns after a self-imposed retirement when he takes on Marquez on September 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

If Pacquiao requests the fight, Mayweather indicated that he is willing to pay Marquez to step aside so the fight can be made. Pacquiao is set to face WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on November 14.

“If Manny Pacquiao really wanted the fight with me, all he's got to do is say it,” Mayweather said. “We could pay Marquez some step-aside money. Pay him a million dollars, that's nothing. Step aside. Then, my man, me and you can make seven figures. Is you ready? Let me know.”

Mayweather, however, has remained firm on his stance not to give Pacquiao a 50-50 slice of the purse should the fight push through. He has sold more pay-per-view buys against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton than Pacquiao did with the same two fighters. Mayweather says Pacquiao would have to settle for less money.

“Everybody knows Pacquiao is not going to get 50-50 with Floyd Mayweather,” Mayweather added. “Look at what Pacquiao made his last two fights and look at what I made my last two fights. It's still a business, even though it's a sport.”

Pacquiao is currently in Cebu to visit friends and for a short rest and recreation while at the same time hosting a major cockfighting event in Mandaue City along with his adviser Rex “Wakee” Salud.

Mayweather to focus on Marquez, then Pacquaio

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Comebacking Floyd Mayweather Jr. said he wants to focus on his upcoming bout with Juan Manuel Marquez first before thinking about fighting Filipino pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

In an interview with CNN, Mayweather did not divulge what exactly got him injured causing his fight with Marquez to be rescheduled on September 19.

The bout, originally set this month, will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Asked whether Pacquiao impresses him as a fighter, Mayweather talked more about his Mexican opponent.

“Marquez impresses me. We are ready to rock and roll,” said the flamboyant Mayweather, who retired undefeated and was formerly the acknowledged pound-for-pound king.

“As a boxer, you try not to focus on getting hurt,” he added, saying his retirement helped him grow mentally and gave him a chance to know himself more and his family.

He also hinted of improved relationship with his dad, Floyd Mayweather Sr., and even defended the latter for Ricky Hatton’s devastating loss to Pacquiao.

“I never split with my dad. It’s just that I was training with my uncle Roger (Mayweather). Me and my dad are still working,” Mayweather said.

“He (Mayweather Sr.) got some slack for Ricky Hatton’s loss. But he had a game plan and Ricky just didn’t follow it.”

Boxing: Marquez, Mayweather to hold conference call

MANILA – Promotions for the mega fight “Number One/Number Uno” featuring Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. lost steam when the bout was postponed due to an injury sustained by Mayweather.

But preparations for the fight are on course again as an international conference call is set to take place Tuesday in the United States, according to PhilBoxing.com. Mayweather and Marquez will take part in the international conference call to promote their fight originally slated to take place on July 18.

The Mayweather-Marquez clash has been rescheduled to Sept. 19. It will be held at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather, the former No.1 pound-for-pound fighter, was getting all set for his comeback fight when he suffered a rib injury while training. He retired in June 2008 and came out of retirement last May, making his comeback announcement just hours away from the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton showdown. Mayweather is a five-division champion with six world championships.

Marquez, meantime, is a three-division champion with five world championship titles. Meanwhile, it has been reported that Oscar de la Hoya will attend the conference. De la Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions, will be joined by Golden Boy chief executive officer (CEO) Richard Schaefer. Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, will also attend the conference. Mayweather vs. Marquez: “Number One/Numero Uno” is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions in association with Marquez Promotions.

(ABS-CBN)

Filipino citizenship for Roach?

MANILA, Philippines -- It’s time for the man behind Manny Pacquiao’s legendary triumphs in the ring to take center stage.Just as everybody appeared to be in awe of the Filipino boxing champion’s feat, a lawmaker has proposed to give due recognition to Pacquiao’s long-time coach, American Freddie Roach.

In filing House Resolution 1142, Congressman Edgar San Luis of Laguna called on the House of Representatives to confer honorary Philippine citizenship on Roach.

”Behind Manny Pacquiao’s legendary boxing triumphs is his 49-year-old American coach Freddie Roach, who over the years has masterfully sharpened the skills of the Filipino boxing icon to become one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport,” the congressman said in his resolution.

Roach, who has been Pacquiao’s trainer-coach for years, “has equally shown his deep understanding of our people . . . that he has easily become a part of the local community without as much raising any negative issue,” San Luis said.

Pacquiao is ambassador for peace

MACTAN ISLAND—What exactly does an ambassador for “peace and understanding” do?

Malacañang Tuesday spelled out—though still vaguely—the latest job description of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao under the Arroyo administration.

To begin with, he would grace a basketball tournament pitting government troops against members of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) or rightist rebels, said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

“There will be events and activities that will be organized that will center on him as a focal person,” Remonde said in a media briefing here. “He will be useful as a symbol, as a rallying point for events, which in the process, would involve national unity.”

Special intel aide also

Remonde said Pacquiao would focus on his new job within the next three to four months when he is not yet training for his next bout. During the period, the boxer would go around the country gracing activities promoting national solidarity.

Besides the title of peace envoy, Pacquiao was named “special assistant on intelligence matters” of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Monday.

Gonzalez said the post would be “honorary,” meaning the boxer would receive no salary.

Remonde said the idea of a basketball tournament was hatched on Friday when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was originally set to meet with Pacquiao.

Ms Arroyo moved the meeting and the “national day of celebration” to Monday on the recommendation of the World Health Organization.

Pacquiao and his team had been advised to go on a five-day self-quarantine since they had stayed in Los Angeles where a case of human-to-human transmission of the deadly A(H1N1) flu virus had been recorded.

Riding on the Champ

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Pacquiao could easily do the job for Gonzalez. “With all the people adulating him, he can get information.”

Sen. Panfilo Lacson was noncommittal, saying he did not know Pacquiao well enough.

“All I know is that he is good in sports, he’s the best in the world. If he’s appointed as undersecretary for sports, he can do a good job,” Lacson said in Filipino.

But the opposition senator observed that the positions given Pacquiao by the Palace were apparently done because “everybody wants to jump on the bandwagon.”

“He’s very popular and people idolize him and that’s why it’s understandable that there are those who want to ride on and take advantage of the situation,” Lacson said.

Time for politics

Sen. Manuel Roxas II said he believed Pacquiao would be able to help the government and the country as envoy for peace, especially in Mindanao.

“Many people will listen to him,” Roxas told reporters.

But he said people would have to see for themselves how Pacquiao would be able to contribute as an intelligence officer.

He echoed Lacson’s views that Pacquiao was given such positions because it was “a time for politics now.”

“Those seeking to run for office are looking for ways to be close to Pacquiao as their endorser,” Roxas said.

Symbol of unity

The senator said Pacquiao should protect his clean and untarnished name. “If he allows himself to be used, he will be tainted by the corrupt who are coming to him to use him.”

Pacquiao has hinted that he would again run for Congress in next year’s election, much to the dismay of not a few of his fans. He ran and lost in the 2007 elections.

“Right now, he has agreed to be this symbol of unity and of course, we are very grateful for that,” Remonde said. “But of course, when it comes to his decision to go into politics, that is his own decision. We should all respect him.”

Pacquiao to visit Cebu

WORLD boxing pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao will observe another tradition following his gripping conquest of British brawler Ricky Hatton: Visit Cebu next week.
Pacquiao snatched Hatton’s IBO junior welterweight crown last May 3 with a second round knockout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, according to Cebu City Acting Mayor Mike Rama, will visit the Queen City of the South next week. Last Monday, the six-time boxing superstar had a motorcade around Metro Manila in what Malacanang Palace declared as a Day of Celebration and yesterday he was in his hometown of GenSan.

Pacquiao always makes it a point to visit Cebu after every major fight to thank his Cebuano fans and to pray at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino.

Rama though, informed, that Team Pacquiao is yet to set a date for the champion’s visit but would prefer to be here either on May 18 or 22.

Rama tasked Councilor Raul Alcoseba and City Administrator Francisco Fernandez to prepare for Pacman’s visit. He also urged the public to get out of their homes and join in greeting Pacquiao along the parade’s route.

Mayor Tomas Osmena is also expected to return on said dates.

Rama also said that he already asked Councilor Arsenio Pacana to draft a resolution recognizing Pacquaio’s victory. He suggested that Pacquiao be conferred the “Mega Tourism Promoter” award for promoting the country worldwide, but wants the national government to give it.

However, Rama is not so keen about the suggestion of erecting a Pacquiao statue saying the boxing hero is still alive and is just 30 years old.

“I’m not against building a statue for Manny but its not good for him. Statues are built for those who are already dead,” he added.

Pacquiao's motorcade causes traffic snarls in Manila

Boxing champ began his Metro Manila-wide motorcade on Monday morning, causing traffic snarls as crowds cheered the local boxing hero.The motorcade passed through main roads in Quezon City, Manila, Pasay City and Makati City this morning.

Everyone young and old seemed to pause at what they were doing to cheer Pacquiao, who was riding in a truck adorned with Philippine flags.

Some motorists stopped and got out of their cars to wave at Pacquiao. A group of nuns was also seen from among the crowd cheering in his direction.

Uniformed employees were also seen on the streets, taking a break from work to take a peek at the ongoing celebration.

One FX driver, meanwhile, stopped and even went on top of his vehicle to wave as chants of “Manny! Manny!” echoed all throughout.

The streets were littered with placards while some have their own confetti prepared and ready to be thrown. People were simultaneously waving and taking pictures from their mobile phones and cameras.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, basked at the adoring crowd, throwing away Team Pacquiao t-shirts.

With him is Bernabe Concepcion, a member of Team Pacquiao who won in an undercard fight during the title bout with Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas earlier this month.

The motorcade, which started some 20 minutes behind schedule, left the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at around 8:15 a.m. and began a slow cruise along Visayas Avenue.

Earlier, a festive atmosphere greeted Pacquiao at DENR.

Wearing a black polo shirt, a gray vest, khaki pants, brown shoes and a gray golfer’s hat, Pacquiao arrived at the DENR office just before 8:00 am and participated in the department’s flag-raising ceremony on board a black SUV.

He was welcomed by a marching band, an explosion of red, blue and white confetti, around 300 employees of the DENR and the usual coterie of environment officials led by DENR secretary Lito Atienza.

He was immediately mobbed by local and international media and a cheering crowd.

In a short speech after the flag-raising, Pacquiao thanked God and Filipino people for the support and prayers in his May 3 fight against British champ Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.

He will make a short call on Vice President Noli De Castro before proceeding to Malacanang were the boxer is due to make a 10:45 a.m. call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Atienza, a long-time and rabid supporter of the Filipino boxing champ, said Pacquiao considers the DENR as his “second home.”

"Manny (Pacquiao) is like a sponge who accepts what he needs to learn making him d best fighter," Atienza said in an earlier interview.

"Ang payo ko sa kanya wag muna isipin ang politika (My advice to him is not think of politics for now)," Atienza said, when asked about Pacquiao's rumored plans to run for public office in next year's elections.

"He's at the pinnacle of his boxing career. He should focus on his career first," he added.

Atienza said they have been coordinating with the Philippine National Police for security and the Metro Manila Development Authority, which is in charge of traffic flow.

Pacquiao-Hatton ppv a hit

The Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton showdown is now a certified pay-per-view monster hit.
Exceeding everyone’s expectations, the fight—which Pacquiao won by knockout late in the second round to wrest Hatton’s International Boxing Organization light welterweight crown—drew anywhere from 1.6 million to 2 million PPV buys, according to the USA Today newspaper.

The fight’s co-promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, had earlier projected sales of about 800,000 due to the world financial crisis.

Initial sales reports from cable firms, however, indicated that PPV buys was already over the 1.6 million mark, which would make the Pacquiao-Hatton duel the fourth biggest ever in boxing annals.

The Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather Jr. battle in 2007 remains the all-time PPV top draw with 2.4 million buys.

It was followed by the Holyfield-Tyson II with 1.99 million buys and the Lennox Lewis-Tyson in 2002 with 1.95 million.

If the Pacquiao-Hatton bout indeed breached 1.6 million buys, it would break the PPV records of both fighters.

The Pacquiao-De La Hoya tussle netted 1.25 million buys while the Hatton-Mayweather battle drew 915,000.

While the Pacquiao-De La Hoya clash attracted a live gate of just 15,000, the Pacquiao-Hatton tiff drew 16,262 fans to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, unbeaten Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero has urged Arum to include him on the list of Pacquiao’s probable next opponents.

Valero, the WBC lightweight champ with a 25-0 card, all by knockout, said he’s willing to move up in weight to fight Pacquiao.

Junior middleweight prospect Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. also wants his name on the roster that already includes Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, Shane Mosley and the winner of the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Juan Manuel Marquez fight in July.

Arum said he will consult Pacquiao and chief trainer Freddie Roach as to who will be the next opponent of the reigning pound-for-pound king.

In a related development, Hatton told The Sun newspaper that he was absolutely devastated by the one-sided beating he absorbed from Pacquiao.

“My head is in bits,” Hatton said. “I don’t think I could cry anymore after the Floyd Mayweather Jr. loss, but I certainly have.”

Manny Pacquiao is home

Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao defied a raging typhoon and a World Health Organization (WHO) advisory amidst a global virus scare, and arrived home Friday morning to a warm welcome.
Pacquiao arrived at 6:38 a.m. on board Philippine Airlines Flight PR 103 from Los Angeles.

Clad in a white suit, he was escorted by his wife Jinkee, and the rest of Team Pacquiao, including Bernabe Concepcion who won in an undercard fight before Pacquiao’s title bout with Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.

Sons Michael and Jemuel, and daughter Princess were present at the airport to welcome their father.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza and his son Ali were also there to greet the boxing champ.

About 20 airport police K9s and a “light reaction unit” were deployed at the international arrival area, according to Manila International Airport Authority assistant general manager Tirso Serrano.

Pacquiao and his entourage passed through the airport’s thermal scanners and were screened by doctors from the Bureau of Quarantine of the Department of Health (DOH).

In his arrival statement, Pacquiao said: “Maraming salamat sa inyo, taas noo tayong mga Pilipino kahit saan sulok ng mundo [Thanks to you, we are proud to be Filipinos wherever we go],” addressing hordes of media upon his arrival.

Speculations have been circulating that Pacquiao plans to run for congressman in his hometown of General Santos City after the Commission on Elections early Thursday accredited the boxing icon's local political party, People's Champ Movement (PCM), which is expected to bolster his political ambitions in next year's elections.

Asked by a reporter about his political plans, Pacquiao answered: “Ayaw ko muna pag-usapan ang politika [Let’s not talk about politics first].”

He then gave recognition to the victory of Bernabe Concepcion in the undercard.

“Salubungin din natin ng masigabong palakpakan si Bernabe. Alam nyo hindi lang ako ang nagbigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa pero yung mga undercard din katulad ni Bernabe [Let’s also give a big hand to Bernabe. It was not only I who gave honor to our country but also those in the undercard like Bernabe].”

When asked why he decided to return early despite recommendations of the WHO and the DOH, Pacquiao said: “Mas lalong makakasama kung mag-stay ako doon. Mas safe kung uuwi ako dito sa Pilipinas [It will be worse if I stayed there. I feel a lot safer here].”

“I feel so happy that I’m home now with my family,” Pacquiao added.

Atienza said Pacquiao would check in at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati City to rest before heading for Quiapo Church around 10 a.m. to hear mass.

In the afternoon, Pacquiao will attend a special event honoring him organized by television network GMA 7 at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Due to Typhoon Emong, a victory motorcade and a courtesy call in Malacañang have been moved to Monday, subject to Pacquiao's approval, according to Atienza.

Upon the recommendation of the WHO, Malacañang on Wednesday requested Pacquiao to reset his flight back home for Monday, considering that he and his entourage would be coming from Los Angeles.

The WHO had recorded a “third-generation, human-to-human transmission” of the A(H1N1) virus in the area.

But since Pacquiao has decided to return, he and his team should exercise “self-quarantine” for at least five days, according to the WHO, whose advice was sought by the DOH on how to handle the returning Pacquiao and his legion of adoring fans.

Atienza said the DOH advisory was “ill-advised”, although he noted he and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III were friends.

“Di ko matanggap na patitigilin pa siya sa LA (Los Angeles) at langhapin ang virus. Sabi ni Manny ‘bakit hindi ako pauuwiin, baka mahawa pa ko dito’ [I cannot accept that he (Manny) should stay in Los Angeles any longer. Manny himself said he may contract the virus there],” Atienza said.

Missing the real People's Champ

I miss the real People’s Champ.
As Filipinos go gaga over Manny Pacquiao, I suddenly miss my favorite sports hero since I was a boy.
I was only 10 years old when Muhamad Ali beat George Foreman on Sept. 30, 1974. Foreman was my favorite then, all because I hated Ali’s braggadocio.

Little did I know that in the few months to come I would become a fan of Ali and fall in love with him. Ali was funny; he made his most dangerous fights seemingly worry-free by his comic antics in the ring. And yet his confidence actually worried his legions of fans, all the more because Ali, for all his physical strength, evoked some kind of vulnerability.

First, his punching power was underrated, even though he knocked out Foreman, Sonny Liston and many others besides. Second, he did not have a killer’s instinct; he himself said this in a television interview in the 1960s. Third, he had this tendency to take pity on his opponents such that he would not knock them out even if he could.

Of course, he had superlative skills: he had the fastest hands and feet not only for a heavyweight—many a lightweight boxer at the time would marvel at his speed. He could be rightly called the fastest boxer of all weights. Besides, he could evade punches by a simple move of the head to the right or to the left, or back. And he was one of the very few boxers who could throw punches while retreating.

And yet all this is not the reason I came to admire him. I came to admire him for his outspokenness on the human rights of blacks and other minorities in America. I came to admire him for his principles; for opposing the Vietnam war, as a result of which, he was stripped of his title in 1967 and was not allowed to box for three years up to 1970. During which he lost nearly all his earnings and became one of the most hated men in America. But look at what happened: Ali’s conviction was overturned by the US Supreme Court in 1970. And Ali is now a veritable icon these days.

In contrast, the boxers and other sports heroes that came after him were only concerned about becoming rich and thus kept quiet on social issues. I would not name names, but they would include some very prominent NBA basketball players since the 1980s.

So far, Pacquiao has shown his ignorance of social issues, and thinks he can enter politics by means of popularity and money. Therefore, here in our country, and at present, even as we are all excited about Pacquiao, let us not forget the intelligence and courage that Ali showed inside and outside the ring. That made him the true people’s champ of the world.

—JAIME ESCOBER JR.,
Block 16 Lot 49 Sugartown Homes,
Barangay Batasan Hills,
Quezon City