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Pacquiao headed to Manila?

August 11, 2007

"World Cup Fever"

The Boxing World Cup fever is now felt in Cebu, the boxing hotbed of the Philippines as thousands of fans are set to troop to the Cebu City Coliseum to watch the live feed from Sacramento.

This province is home to five of the six Filipino fighters set to challenge Mexican counterparts in the much-ballyhooed World Cup of Boxing.

Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista will challenge defending champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in a 12-round bout for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) superbantamweight title.

Co-main event is the WBO bantamweight showdown of ex-world champion Gerry Penalosa against titleholder Jhonny Gonzalez in a 12-round battle.

Also seeing action is Diosdado "The Prince" Gabi against Jose Angel Beranza, RP bantamweight champion Michael Domingo versus Miguel Roman teen sensation AJ Banal against Jorge Cardenas and Z Gorres against ex-world champion Eric Ortiz for the IBF Intercontinental superflyweight belt.

Though Bautista and Banal traces their roots in Bohol, they both train at the topnotch ALA Boxing Gym in Mandaue City. Same with Michael Domingo who is from Mindanao but polished his skills and continues to train at the ALA Gym.

The Manila-based Penalosa traces his roots in Cebu while Gorres was born and raised in this province.

Gabi meanwhile is a proud son of Davao.

Fightnews moments ago learned that Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao left the United States and is now on his way back to Manila.

The 28-year-old Pacquiao is supposed to start his rigid preparations at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood for his upcoming rematch against Mexican boxing superstar Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico on October 6 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Fightnews tried to contact Pacquiao's close associate and International promoter Wakee Salud to confirm the report but his cellphone was off since it is now midnight in the Philippines.

Just yesterday, Pacquiao attended the press conference of his upcoming bout with Barrera held at the Beverly Hills Hotel in California.

Another source contacted by Fightnews disclosed that Pacquiao told his Filipino associates he will be back after the Beverly Hills presser and that the Filipino boxing superstar will hold training camp either in Cebu or Davao until the end of August.

Pacquiao, according to the same source, will fly back to the US on September 1.

Pacquiao left Manila for LA Tuesday evening but not after several last-minute postponements the last few weeks.

An extra effort from Salud was needed to convince the Filipino boxing sensation to board the Philippine Airlines flight to LA.

According to Salud, Pacquiao was again contemplating on postponing his long-anticipated journey after learning that Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez won't be able to join them as the trip that night was full-booked.

Salud was able to purchase a ticket for himself and Pacquiao and they were supposed to be joined by Fernandez and lawyer Franklin Gacal.

"I just gave my ticket to Buboy just for Manny to leave the country. I'm really concerned about Manny's image with his American promoters. For him to postpone tonight's (Tuesday night) trip will harm his reputation," said Salud who decided to stay put in Manila along with Gacal.