From the bottom of his heart, Filipino ring icon Manny ?The Destroyer? Pacquiao expressed his profound gratitude to Cebuanos for their unflinching support in his career, especially when he figures in blockbuster and career-defining fights in the United States. Pacquiao, who rose from humble beginnings to reign as one of the brightest stars in the boxing constellation today, said that his coming over to the Queen City of the South is his own little way of saying thanks to his Cebu fans who have had rallied behind him through thick and thin.
?Dugay na gyud ko nga gusto mo-anhi dinhi sa Cebu pero karon lang ko nakahigayon. Mi-anhi ko kay gusto ko nga magpasalamat sa mga Cebuano sa ilang suporta nako,? Pacquiao told the Freeman a few minutes after his arrival at the Mactan International Airport at 12:40 pm yesterday. He has no companion other than his amiable wife, Jinky.
Pacquiao graced last night?s ?Kadaugan sa Mactan III? card promoted by Cebuano topnotch impresario Rex ?Wakee? Salud at the Lapu-Lapu City Sports Center. He is also invited to watch the WBF light welterweight title defense of Dindo ?Diesel? Casta?ares against Australian Steven Marks this Saturday at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.
After signing autographs and posing for photographs with airport employees, some even skipped their lunch just to rub elbows with the reigning people?s featherweight champion, Pacquiao was immediately whisked away to the residence of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza in Brgy. Mactan, where he handed out several ringside tickets to a small throng of jubilant fans.
?Talagang natutuwa ako na makita na marami-rami rin pala ang mga Cebuano na humahanga sa akin. Sana hindi sila magsawa sa pagsuporta sa akin,? said the 26-year-old Pacquiao, who looked very decent with his crimson polo shirt and black slacks.
With regards to his strained relationship with his long-time business manager Rod Nazario, Pacquiao is very hopeful that they will be able to settle their differences soon and mend their broken ?father-and-son? alliance.
?Okay naman kami. Nagka-usap na kami at sana magka-ayos na kami nang tuluyan. Gusto ko pa rin siyang makatrabaho,? said Pacquiao.
Their once blooming relationship is now on the rocks after Pacquiao accused Nazario of pocketing some of his purse money and of conniving with American promoter Murad Muhammad to deprive him of additional income.
Nazario denied the allegations and even threatened to cut off ties with Pacquiao if the latter decides to continue dealing with the services of his new team composed of promoter Shelly Finkel, trainer Freddie Roach and publicity consultant Winchell Campos, whom he accused of sowing dissension within the Pacquiao camp.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, said that what keeps him busy these days are shooting television commercials and TV guestings. Last week, Pacquiao earned P2 million from Unilever Philippines for a Surf commercial, which only took him 30 seconds to shoot.
Next month, Pacquiao will start shooting for his forthcoming movie entitled ?No Fear Waister?, which he co-stars with Ethel Booba.
Pacquiao said he will make the most out of his time since his next fight is still either in July or in August against a still undetermined opponent.
Pacquiao?s next ring sortie could probably be a non-title fight as his planned rematch with Mexican superstar Erik Morales is in jeopardy.
This is because the legal battle Pacquiao waged against Murad Muhammad could derail HBO?s plan to set a return bout between him and Morales on September 10.
Pacquiao wants to recover some $3 million in pay-per-view income from Muhammad following his loss to Morales in their classic 12-round contest last March 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao insisted he should have been entitled to a share in the pay-per-view revenues from the Morales bout. Pacquiao earned $1.75 million in the fight, which drew 350,000 PPV buys amounting to $16 million.
