Pacquiao update
Filipino boxing promoter Wakee Salud has denied any involvement in the decision-making of Manny Pacquiao.
“I’m not taking part in this issue. There are two cases pending before the courts in the United States. Let us leave in up to the courts to decide which promoter Pacquiao will tie up,” said Salud in a text message to Fightnews.
The electrifying Pacquiao is currently enmeshed, for the nth time, in an equally thrilling promotional battle between Top Rank, Inc and bitter rival Golden Boy Promotions.
World Cup in Cebu shaping up
Negotiations for the momentous Boxing World Cup featuring the Philippines and Mexico have reached its most crucial stage and its fruition will be determined within the week.
According to its prime mover and Cebu businessman Tony Aldeguer, they have already submitted their proposals to four television networks that are keen in getting the broadcast rights of the fledgling tournament.
“We really have to know their answers within the week because if not, it maybe too late for the world cup to materialize,” said Aldeguer in a telephone interview.
Aldeguer added that a budget of about US$1.3 to $1.6 million is needed for the historic tournament to happen in the Philippines.
A triple world championships, tentatively set on March 17 in Cebu, will form part of the second staging of the Boxing World Cup.
The first World Cup championship was held October of last year won by Mexico over Thailand at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, Arizona.
Ponce De Leon wants to lower the boom on ‘Boom Boom’
World Boxing Organization (WBO) superbantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon recently stated his willingness to risk his crown against top Filipino contender Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista right at the Boholano’s bailiwick.
In an item that came out in a number of Mexican papers, De Leon, a native of Chihuhua, Mexico, has reportedly agreed to duke it out with Bautista (21-0, 16 KO’s) to determine the king of their division.
Incidentally, both fighters are being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) owned by boxing superstar Oscar Dela Hoya.
Bautista’s local handlers led by Cebu businessman Tony Aldeguer have been painstakingly convincing De Leon (30-1, 28 KO’s) and two other Mexican world WBO champions to stake their belts in the country against two top Filipino challengers.
More RP vs. Mexico battles
Talks are also ongoing for superflyweight king Fernando Montiel and bantamweight ruler Jhonny Gonzales to face Z Gorres and former world champion Gerry Penalosa, respectively, in a pair of 12-round world title fights.
Gorres is the mandatory challenger for Montiel’s crown while Penalosa gained the privilege of facing Gonzales after the former superflyweight champ throbbed then top WBO bantamweight contender Muricio Martinez via 9th round TKO last October in El Paso, Texas.
Aldeguer’s group recently won the purse bid that will promote the mandatory title defense of Montiel versus Gorres.
Also being considered as top attraction beneath the card is another upcoming undefeated Boholano sensation AJ Banal who is set to face a worthy Mexican challenger.
