Wednesday, 29 July 2026 · Philippines
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PACQUIAO TELLS GEJON TO CAPITALIZE ON PHYSICAL ADVANTAGES

A few hours before leaving for Narita, Japan yesterday morning, superstar Manny Pacquiao left some words of wisdom for undefeated Filipino Eriberto "Yukka" Gejon in time for his crack at the World Boxing Association 105-lb title this Sunday in Yokohama.

Pacquiao took a PAL flight yesterday bound for Tokyo, accompanied by his wife Jinkee and Gejon's manager Rex "Wakee" Salud and some friends, to be at ringside to cheer for the lanky and talented Gejon.

Pacquiao, in an interview at the lobby of the Waterfront Hotel Thursday evening, told this writer that Gejon should use more combination in order for him to mature into a more all-around fighter, and use his physical advantages against WBC champ Niida to neutralize the latter's expected aggressiveness.

At the medical examination held Thursday afternoon, the undefeated Gejon (21-0-1, 13 KO's) proved to have the height and reach advantage compared to the shorter world champ Niida (18-1-3, 8 KO's).

The Cebuano fighter was some 10 centimeters (or almost 4 inches) taller than Niida, and was also registered as having an 11-cm reach (4 inches) advantage.

"Dapat may combination talaga sya. Di yung pa isa-isang suntok lang. Bang!" Pacquiao said, throwing short punches into an imaginary target.

Pacquiao was then joined by wife Jinkee, Salud, North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Pi?ol, Cebu City Vice-Mayor Michael Rama, former Cebu City Councilor George Rama, boxing manager Leonil Lazarito, and ace web designer Dong Secuya in an impromptu tete-a-tete at the lobby.

END

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