GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Returning to the scene where he first showed the stuff of a future Hall of Fame inductee, Manny Pacquiao made his future plans known yesterday when he issued a challenge to Marco Antonio Barrera to stake his World Boxing Council superfeatherweight championship.
“Anytime, anywhere,” said a pumped-up Pacquiao during a packed press conference here prior to leading a motorcade organized by the city mayor to honor his victory over Erik Morales last week.
“I am challenging Antonio Barrera to a rematch,” said Pacquiao after learning from US sources that Barrera preferred to fight his younger brother, Bobby.
“Why should Barrera pick my brother when I was the one who beat him,” he said.
Bobby is scheduled to fight next month either in Las Vegas or Los Angeles.
If given the chance to meet Barrera again, Pacquiao said the result will be the same.
“God willing, I will give Barrera his second heartbreaking loss if we are to go up the ring again,” said Pacquiao whose well-wishers were led by General Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon.
During their first meeting, Pacquiao scored a sensational knockout win over Barrera in their non-title bout in 2003 in San Antonio, Texas, a fight that opened opportunities for the Filipino fighter.
Although Barrera challenged the winner of the Pacquiao-Morales fight, the encounter pitting the Mexican against Pacquiao is unlikely to happen.
Barrera is already scheduled to fight compatriot Jesus Chavez, the IBF lightweight champion, on March 25 at the MGM in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao received a hero’s welcome from his townmates that rivaled the one given him in Metro Manila last Friday.
Streamers and placards hailing Pacman as a real “General Santos hero” were posted in almost all major streets of the city, while tens of thousands of students showed up on the streets in what could be the biggest welcome party seen in years.
The program was highlighted with street dance parties in some parts of the city which drew comparison to the city’s Tuna Festival celebration.
