JUST to clear the air: It wasn?t Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon T. Teo who wanted the Pacquiao-Horn rematch held in Manila. Instead, it was the other way around: Manny Pacquiao?s camp, through Eric Pineda, had offered to have the fight staged here in December.
There is even a venue already: the INC-owned Philippine Arena in Bulacan, which can seat 50,000.
?While we would be deeply honored to have a hand in possibly staging here the Pacquiao-Horn return bout, we need to put it on record that we?ve been approached and requested for help in making it a reality,? Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre of the Department of Tourism (DOT) said. ?In fact, it wasn?t only once or twice but thrice that we were offered to backstop the project.?
Almost immediately after Teo broke out the news of the Pacquiao-Horn rematch being planned to be held here, Bob Arum issued a disclaimer.
?It can never be held in Manila because a contract stipulates that Australia would be the venue should a rematch is held,? said Arum, Pacquiao?s American promoter.
Yes, but in boxing, nothing is really final.
Until both boxers are finally up in the ring, and the bell is sounded signaling the start of the first round, there is no fight to speak of.
I see one crucial move if we honestly want the Pacquiao-Horn rematch held here: Pacquiao and Arum should make a pact with Secretary Teo to have it staged here. Next, they agree to fly to Brisbane and convince Aussie officials as copromoters in the bout when held in Manila.
Now, to cement this mission, President Duterte must be the No. 1 proponent of Manila hosting the fight. Better yet, the Chief Executive writes a letter to concerned Aussie officials toward this end. Personally delivered by Madame Teo.
Can the Aussies reject a President, especially in the mold of Mr. Duterte?
And, before I forget, Asec Alegre must be in that trip, too. I know him from Adam.
You?ll never know when his two cents? worth of wisdom would come in handy when the going gets tough. Razor-sharp.
THAT?S IT I know where the son of the late Rocky Marciano was coming from when he said Floyd Mayweather Jr. should not have been given a 50-0 record after Mayweather?s 10th-round TKO win of Conor McGregor on Sunday.
The victory?bereft of purity as it may seem since the duel pitted a genuine boxer (Mayweather) against a pseudo boxer?meant that Mayweather broke his 49-0 tie with Marciano, the former world heavyweight champion. Both were the only world champions who retired unbeaten.
Mayweather un-retired to meet McGregor, a UFC/MMA champion. Boxing rules were used and none at all from McGregor?s domain.
That?s where the cloak of legitimacy of Mayweather?s win would come in?thus, that record-breaking 50th victory could prove worthy of entering the boxing books in Floyd?s favor; it maybe hollow, but a win is a win is a win. And, win or lose, Mayweather was guaranteed nearly $300 million and McGregor $70 million. Why the yawning gap in prize money? Well, Mayweather isn?t monikered ?The Money? for nothing.
