World Boxing Council featherweight champion Injin Chi is ready to defend his title against People?s Champion Manny Pacquiao in Manila, Los Angeles or any other venue chosen by the handlers of Pacquiao but only on one condition.
According to WBC founding secretary general Rudy Salud, who was at special ringside to watch the South Korean defend his title with a rousing 10th-round TKO over Japanese challenger Eiichi Sugama last July 25, Salud told Viva Sports/Manila Standard ?Chi will fight on condition he doesn?t get one centavo less than Pacquiao.?
Salud said his close friend and manager of Injin Chi, respected businessman-sportsman Kusung Lee, pointed out that his fighter was a recognized world champion by the top boxing organization in the world, the WBC. On the other hand, Pacquiao doesn?t have a title except that of People?s Champion earned after he scored a devastating 11th-round TKO over legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera.
Salud indicated that although Injin Chi is lined up to defend his title against another Japanese contender in Tokyo, a fight with Pacquiao ?can be arranged? if details are ironed out early. He said he was hoping that some flagship companies in the Philippines could underwrite the title fight, which would be held at the Araneta Coliseum whose owner Jorge ?Nene? Araneta had promised his full support. Socialite Baby Arenas had earlier expressed interest in staging a Pacquiao fight in Manila and has had discussions with Nazario on the possibility but there?s been nothing definite.
Salud echoed what Matchroom Sport owner Barry Hearn, who handles Michael Brodie, told Viva Sports during the recent World Pool Championship in Taipei. Hearn said Injin Chi was a terrific fighter and a battle with Pacquiao would be ?a helluva fight.?
Salud said Inchin Chi was only about 75 percent ready for the Sugama fight because his training was ?very loose.?
Nevertheless, Salud said he was ?strong, hits hard and has as much heart as Pacquiao who should never underestimate him in case a fight pushes through.?
