Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao takes a breather from his training–or politicking–as he flies from General Santos City to Manila today as the promoter of tonight’s big ‘Rambol at the Bay’ at the Rajah Sulaiman Park along Roxas Boulevard.
After stories of his backing out from the congressional race surfaced this week, Pacquiao’s lawyer Franklin Gacal yesterday contradicted what had been announced, saying that the lefty superstar is just taking a break from his political plans to concentrate on his upcoming fight.
“He (Pacquiao) has not closed his doors (on politics). He is focused on his upcoming fight right now and he doesn’t want (his election plans) to distract him,” Gacal told Mindanao newsmen.
Pacquiao, according to Gacal, will reportedly make a final decision on his political plans after his April 14 fight with Jorge Solis.
The Pacman has been sparring against Jesar Ancajas ang Aaron Melgarejo at the ABAP Gym in General Santos City before he flies to Los Angeles on Tuesday with lawyer Gacal.
Tonight’s event, which is not expected to rival the highly successful and well-organized ‘Moment of Truth’ event last weekend, will mark the return to the ring of the talented Eriberto Gejon after almost six months of inactivity as he takes on Thailand’s Wisan Sor Suchanya in a 10-round bout topbilling the event co-promoted by MP Promotions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank.
The lanky Gejon (22-1-1, 14 KO’s), a protege of Rex ‘Wakee’ Salud, last saw action on September 22, 2006, hardly breaking a sweat against Thai Yoddoi Sithsoei, whom he stopped in two rounds also in Manila.
Before this bout, however, Gejon took his longest absence so far, when he was sidelined for one year following a heart-breaking decision loss in his first world title challenge against WBA minimumweight ruler Yutaka Niida.
The rest of the March 3 card pits Apol Suico against ex-Olympian Danilo Lerio; Roel Laguna versus Mervin Batolina; Bogie Delada against Danilo Pena; Gedion Amba versus Armando Casa; and Darryl Pucdol against Rocky Batol-Batol.
A women’s fight featuring Gretchen Abaniel against Baina Londo will also be showcased in this card being co-promoted by the Rex ‘Wakee’ Salud International Promotions.
