Sunday, March 30, 2008 Pacquiao returns to thank Cebuano fans
WORLD Boxing Council super featherweight champion and Ring Magazine’s People’s Champion Manny Pacquiao will return to Cebu to personally thank his Cebuano fans.
This will be Manny Pacquiao’s first visit to Cebu after scoring a split decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez during their epic rematch last March 16, when he downed the Mexican champion in the third round.
“Manny wants to personally thank the Cebuanos for the support he has received,” said Pacquiao’s confidant and boxing promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud told Sun.Star Superbalita.
A courtesy call to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia is being planned for Monday as well as a motorcade.
Pacquiao also used Salud’s gym as his training base for his rematch with another Mexican superstar, Marco Antonio Barrera, in October last year.
During that training, hordes of people flocked to Salud’s gym and at one time had Freddie Roach threatening to pack up if the number of people in the gym couldn’t be controlled.
Pacquiao drew crowds during his regular jogs at the Cebu IT Park.
Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza has invited Pacquiao to stay at Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort during his visit here.
Radaza is planning to ask Pacquiao to play the role of Lapu-Lapu in the annual re-enactment of the Kadaugan sa Mactan. (ML)
