Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Fight fans oppose Pacman plan to run, online poll reveals
IT seems Manny Pacquiao’s less-than-rosy welcome from Cebuano fans last Saturday has jolted the Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year awardee and various media outlets have reported that Pacquiao is either definitely shelving his plan to run for Congress or to have it in the backburner for now.
According to a report at www.boxingconfidential.com, Pacquiao is dropping his plans to seek the first district congressional seat of South Cotabato this May and one of the reasons that prodded the fighter is the loud booing he received from the fans when he was introduced during the “Moment of Truth” fight at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) last Feb. 24.
It was a stark contrast to the reception Pacquaio received when he graced the Cebu City charter day last 2006.
One of the fans at the CCSC was also seen on TV carrying a placard that read: “Manny, go back to (the) gym.”
They care
In a poll at www.manny-pacquiao.ph, 91.2 percent of the 13,879 voters voted “no” when asked whether they favor Pacquiao’s political plans, while four percent voted “yes” and another 4.8 voted “I don’t care.”
On the other hand, Pacquiao was more circumspect in an interview with GMA’s 24 Oras.
“Sa ngayon, ang masasabi ko lang po ay hindi ko sinasarado yung pintuan sa pulitika. I-set aside ko muna dahil may coming fight ako, mas mauna yung laban ko,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao is set to fight undefeated Mexican Jorge Solis (32W 2D 23KO) on April 14 at El Paso, Texas.
It was also in Texas where Pacquiao rose to boxing’s elite after he demolished Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in 11 rounds in November 2003.
Soto bout
Meanwhile, Top Rank’s Bob Arum is reportedly eyeing to pit Pacquiao against WBC No. 2 super featherweight Humberto Soto.
Soto, who carries 41-5-2 (25 KOs) record, recently knocked out Humberto Toledo in three rounds.
“I think a fight between Humberto and Manny would be an unbelievable fight,” Arum told boxingconfidential.com.
Soto’s manager, Antonio Lozada, has also expressed willingness for the possibility of a Pacquaio fight. "We want a fight with Manny Pacquiao, but I doubt that he will want to fight Humberto," Lozada said in the same report.
Soto has already faced off with Solis, Pacquiao’s April 14 opponent, but their fight last Sept. 17 2004 was declared a no contest. (ML)
