PACQUIAO TO GRACE 'KADAUGAN SA MACTAN 3'

LAPU-LAPU CITY--It's final! Reigning Ring Magazine featherweight king Manny Pacquiao has already committed to grace the April 27 boxing event dubbed "Kadaugan sa Mactan" at the Lapu-Lapu Sports Complex.

The event, which is held to commemorate local hero Lapu-Lapu's epic battle with Ferdinand Magellan in Mactan to defend local shores against Spanish conquistadores, topbills local boxing hero Randy "Komong Bato" Suico defending his OPBF title against Thai conquistador Muangfahlek Kiatwichean in a 12-round war headlining this 58-round Wakee Salud boxing extravaganza.

"Tuloy na, 100 percent sure na yang darating si Manny dyan," said a source from Team Pacquiao in a message to this writer yesterday.

The same source added that Pacquiao, who is also a big cockfighting aficionado, will also be back in early May to take part in a 5-**** derby to be held at the New Gallera de Mandaue where he will pit his "Pacman" birds against the country's best.

"Mahal na mahal nya ang mga Cebuanos. Sabi ni Manny, gusto rin talaga niyang makita si Suico kung ano na ang nangyari sa kanya. Kasi napamahal na rin ni Manny si Suico simula nung nagka-spar sila noon nung mga limang taon na ang lumipas," added the source, referring to the classic gym war between Suico and Pacquiao in December of 1999 at the L&M Gym. Pacquiao was about to face Reynante Jamili for the WBC International superbantam crown, while Suico, accompanied by trainer Juanito Ablaca and then WBA champ Joma Gamboa, was preparing for his first Japan trip to face Jun Tanigawa.

The April 27 bout will be Suico's fourth defense of the OPBF tiara he had won with a sixth-round technical knockout over Korean Sung-ho Yuh in 2002.

In the chief support, world-title hopeful Yukka Gejon, booked to vie for the WBA crown late this year in Japan, takes on Thai Namchai Thaksinisan in a 10-round non-title go. The undefeated Gejon will stake his unbeaten streak against the Bangkok-based bully.

Other bouts pit Louie Bantigue versus William Macas (8 rds); Gabriel Pumar against Emer Barrientos (8 rds); Alex Aroy versus Allan Dugang (8 rds); Apol Suico against Dodong Salde (4 rds); Jomar Matbagon versus Alvin Mundala (4 rds); and Bryan Rosal against Jun Canamo (4 rds).