MANILA — If only to help boost the Philippines’ tourism industry, a colleague of boxing champion Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao has urged him to stage at least one “patriotic fight” in the country’s capital before retiring.
The pound-for-pound king had earlier said that he is considering retiring by 2013 when he runs for governor in the province of Sarangani.
?We would like to believe that professional boxing is not just about money. That it is also about the sport. And in this case, it is also about Manny giving his country a much-needed lift,? said LPG/MA Representative Arnel Ty, a member of the House committee on sports and youth development.
Ty also slammed Top Rank Promotion’s chief, Bob Arum, for the latter’s remarks that ?there is zero chance? that Pacquiao would hold any fight in his home country, owing to the inability of Filipinos to pay for high-priced gate tickets.
?I don?t think Manny himself is personally worried at this stage in his boxing career about making more money. I believe Manny the flag-waver is personally willing to hold a fight here. It is his promoters, who are driven only by financial rewards, who don?t want a fight here,? Ty said.
?Mr. Arum is underestimating the capacity of Filipinos to go out of their way to pay for expensive tickets just to see their idol fight. We Filipinos can be very passionate fans,? the lawmaker added.
Ty further said the Philippines has more than enough large corporations that would be willing to help sponsor Pacquiao?s bout in Manila.
Pacquiao is set to battle Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez in November this year. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)
