In simple parlance, the fight is on! It's definitely a dream come true for the Pacman who said that after the dela Hoya skirmishes he will have two more fights before hanging up his gloves and then join the political bandwagon. He wants another shot at the congressional seat in his hometown in General Santos City.
We must respect Manny's decision. We must give him all the opportunity under the sun for him to chart his own destiny.
Lawyer Franklin Gacal, legal adviser of Pacquiao, said the 29-year-old super ringster from Southern Philippines stand to get no less than US$10 million for the fight. More is coming in but right now the added perks are being kept in secret.
Boxing experts say that Manny could earn more or less about "US$15 million" from the bonanza sports spectacle, which could also be dubbed the "fight of the year." And this is not farfetched. Consider the checkered performances and achievements of both pugilists in the past. The encounter is set at 147 lbs or welterweight division.
Dela Hoya who at this point in time is a little over 150 lbs should trim down while Pacquiao who fought his last bout at 140 lbs should go up the weight scale. This is one major aspect of the forthcoming scramble, which is of interest. Dela Hoya's camp recently agreed to pay at least US$500,000 if the American-Mexican prizefighter does not make the weight requirement.
Fight night is scheduled on December 6 this year at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, Uncle Sam's amusement and gambling paradise in the world.
According to Top rank president Bob Arum, tickets to the fight is pegged at US$250 for general admission and as high as US$1,500.
To thousands of boxing aficionados and boxing enthusiasts, the amount is peanuts. The sponsors expressed optimism that the "Dream match" will be a sell-out attraction from any angle.
Pacquiao and his lawyer and local training team will leave for the United States tonight. His rigid training regiment under his world-famed American coach-trainer Freddie roach will begin immediately after our national boxing icon has settled down after the plane trip.
Meanwhile, let's sit tight on the wings and follow the development of the Pacquiao-dela Hoya encounter. Next week, Sportscope will share its opinion on the protagonists' advantages and disadvantages as pro boxers.
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The Paralympics in Beijing ends today with another big bang showcasing the spectacular and unmatched hoisting of the games by China. Sports have now become a part of the life of the Chinaman after the very successful staging of the XXIX World Olympics in their turf.
Some 4,000 Paralympics athletes from 150 countries, the biggest ever are seeing action in at least 20 sports disciplines. Competition is focused on the Birds Nest where new records in athletics have been set by Jamaicans as well as American, British and Russian strongmen recently. Oh yes, Team Philippines has at least three athletes in the games, composed of two rowers and a powerlifter.
The powerlifter is Adelyn Dumapong, a Cordilleran from Ifugao. And we should be very proud of her! Just to be in the RP Paralympic Team is already a rare accomplishment. She has been in the RP Team for several games in the past.
At one time, she brought home a bronze medal. "Pero hindi natin pinansin." As of press time, China is leading in the medal haul with Great Britain and the United States behind the heels.
The calendar of events on the center stage includes athletics, rowing, powerlifting, basketball, volleyball, swimming and fencing, among others. Win or loss, let's give our athletes a rousing welcome when they return to our shores! Will the sports authorities also give the RP trio bonus cash incentives? This, of course, is the US$64 question.
Personally, they should or better still "must" receive something!
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Wushu Beijing Olympic exhibition bronze medalist Marianne Mariano and Benjie Rivera from Baguio are in the cast of four RP bets to the 2008 Wushu Sanshou World Championships billed in China from September 17 to 22.
The duo were here recently to visit their families after the Beijing Olympiad where the country won at least one gold medal in taulo courtesy of Willy Wang and a silver in sanshou, thanks to Mary Jane Estimar from Iloilo City.
Their bronze medals came from Mariano and Rivera who at this time are still waiting for their cash incentive awards from the City Administration by virtue of Resolution No. 052 series of 1993 from the Sangguniang Panlunsod ng Baguio.
The two wushu warriors and several gold, silver and bronze medalists in the last Southeast Asian Games and other international sports conclaves, national tournaments including the Caraa and Baguio Palaro editions are still hoping and yearning to have their bonuses settled the soonest. The city sports authorities and officials at the fore of our local sports development programs please give the pending matter special attention.
