MOST of Manny Pacquiao?s fans want him to fight Erik Morales again as soon as possible. This emerged from a survey conducted by Pacquiao?s unofficial website mannypacquiao.ph, the results of which were posted Tuesday?the same day the Filipino boxing icon paid President Arroyo and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza courtesy calls at Malaca?ang and at city hall.
According to the website?s survey, 43.9 percent of 3,689 respondents wanted Pacquiao to face Morales in an immediate rematch after the Mexican former world champion took a unanimous decision victory in their 12-round super-featherweight match 10 days ago at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Other fans?17.4 percent of them?wished ?PacMan? to square off anew with Marco Antonio Barrera, the Mexican who bowed to the Filipino in 11 rounds in November 2003 but took away his archrival Morales? World Boxing Council 130-pound crown in their third meeting last November.
A slightly less number of fans (17.2 percent) preferred a Pacquiao rematch with yet another boxer from Mexico?Juan Manuel Marquez, who managed to keep his World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation featherweight belts when he survived three first-round knockdowns and forced a controversial split draw last May.
In Jin Chi, the WBC featherweight champion from Korea, was picked by 9.3 percent of the voters to be Pacquiao?s next opponent. Scott Harrison, the World Boxing Organization?s 126-pound titleholder, got 8.5 percent, while 3.7 percent of those surveyed opted for the Filipino to take on a lesser-known boxer.
Meanwhile, Mayor Atienza enlisted the support of Pacquiao?whom Manila treats as an ?adopted son? despite hailing from General Santos City?in conducting free clinics and training for aspiring young boxers of the city in a bid to produce a stable of future boxing champs.
Atienza made the request personally during Pacquiao?s visit to Manila city hall, where he was greeted by thousands of cheering fans and supporters.
?As we welcome back and congratulate our fellow Manile?o for making us proud after putting up a very good fight in Las Vegas, we invite him to join in the city?s efforts to create future boxing champions,? Atienza said.
In response, Pacquiao thanked Atienza for the warm welcome given to him and gladly accepted the mayor?s invitation as a gesture of gratitude to the city where he started and spent his training years at L&M Gym in Sampaloc.
Atienza then ordered Manila Sports Council Chair Ali Atienza to coordinate with Pacquaio?s camp in scheduling the free clinics and training in the city?s redeveloped sports facilities as soon as possible.
?We are very fortunate to have him [Pacquiao] on board in our program. With his combined talent and experiences plus good sportsmanship, we are sure to develop well-rounded athletes,? Mayor Atienza said.
