WBO names Pacquiao ‘Fighter of the Decade’

Even if he has only fought under the World Boxing Organization (WBO) four times, the Puerto Rico-based governing body yesterday named the Filipino superstar and ex-welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao as its Fighter of the Decade during the ongoing 25th WBO convention in Florida.

Pacquiao only became a WBO champion in late-2009 after he beat Miguel Cotto for the welterweight title. He defended it successfully twice against Shane Mosley of the US and Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico before losing it to Tim Bradley last June on a controversial split decision.

Pacquiao is due to face Marquez in a fourth fight on Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and although there won’t be any title at stake, the winner of this much-awaited battle would become a major player in the big-money bouts in the coming year.

The WBO’s decision to award the 33-year-old Pacquiao the coveted award stems from his winning eight world titles in as many weight classes stretching back to 1998.

Since making his US debut in 2001, Pacquiao has racked up a string of victories over the biggest names from super-bantam (122 lbs) to super-welter (154 lbs). His victims include Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito, Marquez and Mosley.

The WBO also picked super-bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire as its Fighter of the Year for his exemplary performance against Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. of Puerto Rico, Jeffrey Mathebula of South Africa, and recently, versus Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan.

The Philippines currently has four world champions, three of them—Donaire, flyweight Brian Viloria and light-flyweight Donnie Nietes--carrying WBO titlebelts. The other champion, light-fly Johnreil Casimero reigns in the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

The WBO was created in 1998 when a group of boxing men broke away from the World Boxing Association (WBA).

The WBO, alongside the WBA, IBF and the Mexico-based World Boxing Council, are the four legitimate boxing bodies in the world

source: mb.com.ph

Pacquiao Hopeful vs Floyd

MANILA, Philippines — There is a possibility that Manny Pacquiao will bypass a Nov. 10 ring return in the event a megabuck match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. can be made for early 2013.

“That’s possible,” said Pacquiao lawyer Jeng Gacal.

Mayweather is set to be released from a Las Vegas prison anytime Friday after being convicted for domestic battery and the fact that the unbeaten US boxer has also formed an alliance with rapper-millionaire 50 Cent in the creation of TMT (The Money Team) Promotions is a sign that something’s going on.

Pacquiao has actually declined to say who it is going to be among the leading candidates – Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez – telling a handful of scribes recently that he hasn’t made up his mind yet.

Promoter Bob Arum is arriving in Manila next week to discuss what’s on the horizon for Pacquiao.

Gacal said that if a Mayweather fight can be made for early next year, Pacquiao might decide not to proceed with a planned return in November to avoid any complications.

Mayweather’s decision to hook up with 50 Cent and form a new promotional outfit is seen as a positive sign towards making a fight with Pacquiao a reality.

One thing that also points to that is the mediation meeting set for Monday in Los Angeles involving the lawyers of Pacquiao and Mayweather. Pacquiao had filed a defamation suit against Mayweather owing to charges made by Mayweather that the Filipino uses performance-enhancing drugs.

But Arum believes the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight won’t happen until April or May 2013 and that it is very likely that Pacquiao will face Bradley, Marquez or even Miguel Cotto.

“I don’t think so,” said Arum when told about the prospects of Pacquiao foregoing a November fight and just wait for next year to resurface.

Arum said he has already talked with the camps of Bradley, Marquez and Cotto and that he expects to have something concrete before he heads back to the US from Manila.

Still, Arum acknowledged that the formation of TMT Promotions and the mediation are “positive” signs that the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight can be made.

source: mb.com.ph

House members differ over Pacquiao's fight against BIR

MANILA, Philippines -- House members are of two minds on the accusation by their peer, Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, that he is being persecuted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. One view holds he should just quietly settle the issue with the tax agency, while another view insists he was treated unfairly.

Leaders of the House of Representatives said Wednesday that instead of crying harassment, Pacquiao should just explain to the BIR the questions raised on his tax payments.

“Congressman Pacquiao should talk to BIR preferably with his accountant. That’s the better way to settle the issue,” Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said.

The issue at hand stems from a case the BIR lodged against Pacquiao for alleged violation of Section 266 of the National Internal Revenue Code or the provision on “failure to obey summons.”

Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II said the cry of harassment by the boxing champion was unfounded.

“There no basis to cry harassment,” Gonzales said, adding “to further connect it to the impeachment is hitting below the belt.”

But Pacquiao's friend and colleague from San Juan City thinks otherwise.

“Insensitive and a major distraction in preparation for Pacman’s June fight” was how San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito slammed the BIR and Commissioner Kim Henares’ attitude toward their handling of the alleged tax fraud case against Pacquiao.

The lawmaker said this distraction is all due to the bureau’s process of exacting tax, which has now come to a point of harassment to the personality of the Sarangani Representative.

“BIR’s duty is given; Manny is not taking that personally. What only bothers him is how his case is being handled. Because BIR officials coming out to speak to the media is apparently becoming an attack to his personality rather than what they say as a fulfillment of duty,” Ejercito explained.

“For example, in news reports, some government officials may not be blatantly labeling Pacman as a tax evader. But if you read between the lines, it’s all the same,” he added.

And given Pacquiao’s rock star status, Ejercito said the media picks up almost every news item that relates with the boxing champ so easily.

“It is just unfortunate that at this time that Pacman needs to promote his upcoming fight, some government officials choose to feed media with pressers that smear on his personality,” he furthered.

“Is this how the government repays him with the victories he has brought to our country, by harassing him in the public to pay his taxes?”

But this is not to say that he and his colleagues in Congress are seeking for special attention with regard to Pacquiao's taxes, the lawmaker said. “Manny is only asking for consideration that they (government) listen to his side of the story. Because after all, he is also a public official.”

In the end, Ejercito hopes the BIR is not merely riding on Pacquiao’s popularity to portray that it is performing well, but is only after accomplishing its tax exacting responsibilities.

source: interaksyon.com