ONE THING that?s been on Manny Pacquiao?s mind these days is not the lawsuit that?s been filed against his US promoter Murad Muhammad in New York.
Pacquiao hasn?t even been spending so much of his time thinking what Erik Morales?s face would look like once given the chance to engage the Mexican in a rematch.
But Pacquiao?s main interest is his other love aside from boxing and billiards ? cockfighting.
Pacquiao?s is sending two entries to a 5-cock derby that sportsman Wakee Salud is promoting starting today at the Gallera de Mandaue in Cebu. But Cebuanos will only get to see Pacquiao and his equally fierce gamebirds in the flesh tomorrow, the second day of the eliminations.
“I am bringing in two entries. The first entry will carry the title of the derby I am hosting late this month in Marbel (Koronadal, South Cotabato), while the second one will carry my signature name, Pacman,” Pacquiao told the Bulletin yesterday while resting at his Para?aque home.
Pacquiao confirmed his participation last week when he made a one-day visit to Cebu where he graced a championship fight put up by Salud at the Lapu-Lapu Sports Complex in Mactan Island.
It is not known whether the birds that Pacquiao will field into battle are the ones that he recently acquired from an American breeder in Fresno, California. Pacquiao was in the States for one week last month.
Pacquiao still has in his rooster farm in General Santos City the derby winner that champion cocker Rudy Salud handed over as prize for engaging Juan Manuel Marquez to a thrilling draw in Las Vegas.
That feathered warrior was one of the top performers during Salud?s conquest in the World Slasher Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last year.
“Grabe ang power ng mga anak ng manok na ibinigay sa akin ni Atty. Salud,” exclaimed Pacquiao.
Despite the squabble inside his camp, Pacquiao continues to take everything in stride.
Last week, Pacquiao?s lawyers, led by New York litigator Judd Burstein, filed a case against Muhrad Muhammad in the Big Apple.
Pacquiao alleges in the complaint that Muhammad, who has been his promoter since mid-2001, had cheated him on his ring earnings and other potential money-making projects.
It is being projected that Pacquiao, who lost to Morales on points last March 19, will return to action on Sept. 10 against an opponent to be named soon. Morales will headline the card against another foe as promoter Bob Arum is readying himself for a rematch between the two in December.
