PACQUIAO DOES WELL IN CHESS, BUT LOSES TO SECUYA

LOS ANGELES--Superstar Manny Pacquiao may have lost his claim to being undefeated in chess at the Palazzo, but he certainly earned the plaudit for being "good in his own right" at the game.

Last night, Pacquiao engaged Philboxing.com owner Dong Secuya in a game of chess, and although he came out losing all three games, Pacquiao was praised by his conqueror for being a "good chess player."

Secuya, who learned the intricacies of the game from the late Filipino grandmaster Rosendo Balinas, Jr, had played against some of well known chess players during his playing days.

Pacquiao, however, held his ground against Secuya, and was even overheard saying he would invite the Philboxing.com owner for some more sessions before he motors to Las Vegas on December 1 for the Oscar De la Hoya.

Now, that's the fight where Manny Pacquiao cannot afford to lose.

"If I win that fight, my next fight will be Ricky Hatton, or Floyd Mayweather Jr if he comes out of retirement. If the Hatton fight is done, then I am ready to face him in his country, where we can use a big indoor facility for his fans and mine," said the boxing icon.

Top photo: Manny Pacquiao (R) plays chess with PhilBoxing.com owner Dong Secuya (L) Wednesday night at Pacquiao's Palazzo Apartment in Los Angeles.