BARRERA OFFERED $3MILLION PURSE AS SULAIMAN SPEAKS TO PACMAN

World Boxing Council (WBC) top honcho Jose Sulaiman Chagnon, thru his good pal Rex 'Wakee' Salud, last Tuesday called up Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao apparently in an effort to possibly salvage a rematch with WBC champion Marco Antonio Barrera.

In a three-way telephone conversation involving Filipino boxing promoter Salud, Pacquiao and Sulaiman, the latter had reportedly asked Pacquiao if he was indeed interested in a rematch with Barrera, to which the fire-breathing Filipino icon said 'yes.'

To back up his interest, Pacquiao, according to a source, even raised the money offered to Barrera to $3 Million, which is a big leap from the $2.5 Million initially offered by Top Rank boss Bob Arum during a press conference held at the Manila Hotel recently.

"The offer for Barrera is now up to $3 Million plus a share of the pay-per-view upside. That's already a big offer, considering that Pacquiao is the main draw," said a source close to the situation.

MORALES OFF TO PACQUIAO WIFE'S BIRTHDAY

Mexican icon Erik Morales, here in the country to vacation with wife Andrea upon the invitation of a Filipino friend, will be flying to General Santos City on Friday for the birthday celebration of Manny Pacquiao's wife Jinkee.

Morales and Andrea, as well as childhood friend Jorge Quezada, who are currently staying at the Diamond Hotel, will be accompanied by Pacquiao himself when they fly on a private jet owned by a sponsor this Friday, revealed a source.