GENERAL SANTOS CITY – On the last day of his campaign for Monday’s elections, Manny Pacquiao just couldn’t shake off the boxer in him.
Inside the dim, cozy music room of his grand mansion here, the boxer turning-politician spoke of his immediate plans on the ring, including his possible opponents and a tentative schedule for his next fight.
“I will fight in October,” said the flamboyant boxer who seemed to have lost some weight due to the rigors of his campaign for a congressional seat in the first district of Gen. Santos City.
“I want to train three months for my next fight. I’ve lost sleep and I feel tired. So I have to recover my strength before I train,” said Pacquiao who is up against the formidable incumbent Darlene Antonino Custodio in the elections.
Of five possible opponents later this year, Pacquiao said he was only looking at three – WBO super-featherweight champion Joan Guzman of the Dominican Republic, WBC king Juan Manuel Marquez and another Mexican, Marco Antonio Barrera.
“Joan Guzman? He’s okay with me. But I think it’s still Marquez or Barrera,” said Pacquiao of a possible rematch with any of the two Mexican warriors, a dream rematch that would surely pack the venue even if it’s in Alaska.
The two others on the list, Edwin Valero of Venezuela and Humberto Soto of Mexico, have upcoming fights, and therefore may not be able and ready for a big fight against Pacquiao by October.
He refused to comment on the nasty feud and breakup between his trainers Freddie Roach and Justin Fortune, adding that he hasn’t talked to either of them since returning from his April 14 victory over Jorge Solis in San Antonio.
Then slowly, he turned to politics as he likened the eve of the elections to the official weigh-in that comes a day before a fight.
“Tomorrow (Sunday) is weigh-in. And I feel great. I’m excited.”
The moment of truth is just around the corner.
