| |
|
This time, Mike A says he will miss Pacquiao?s fight
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 29 Jun 2006
He did not miss Manny Pacquiao?s most dramatic fights especially when the pugilist lost to Erik Morales on March 19, 2005 in the MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas; Pacquiao?s conquest of Hector Velasquez on September 10, 2005 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles; and Pacquiao?s 10-round demolition of Morales in a rematch on January 21, 2006.
This time, First Gentleman Jose Miguel ?Mike? Arroyo?s absence in the ringside will be missed by both his critics and friends when Pacquiao defends his WBC international superfeatherweight crown versus Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on July 2.
?I would like to (watch the fight) but I think I won?t be back in time,? Arroyo said in a text message to this writer June 28.
Arroyo, who turned 60 last June 27, is now in Santiago de Compostela, Spain on a pilgrimage and was set to fly to Madrid together with Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, their children and grandchildren.
CHEER
?I will just cheer and pray for him (Pacquiao),? Arroyo added. ?His victory is the country?s victory?cheers!?
Arroyo came under heavy criticism from the opposition when a sports columnist from a Manila-based broadsheet had alleged that he stayed in a US$50,000 per night suite room in the MGM Grand Hotel during the Pacquiao-Morales first fight.
He denied the report saying there was no such room in Las Vegas worth that much even as he blamed politics behind the hullabaloo.
Arroyo?s critics also took potshots at his gesture of climbing the ring to personally congratulate Pacquiao and calling Pres. Arroyo by long distance in a cellular phone immediately after Pacquiao blown away Morales in the 10th canto in the rematch.
Observers said either Arroyo, a true blue boxing enthusiast, had intentionally skipped the July 2 ?Mano A Mano? affair to stay away from political heat and controversy or he really wanted to watch the fight as he claimed but wasn?t aware that the schedule would coincide with the President?s state visit in Italy and Spain.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Weights from Trenton, NJ
, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
, Wed, 14 Jan 2026“No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
