Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Pacquiao promises more boxing promos
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- After a rousing success of the boxing card which he promoted a day before he left for Los Angeles to start training for his rematch with Marco Antonino Barrera, Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao announced he will promote more exciting boxing events in his hometown General Santos City.
Arriving at the Lagao Gymnasium minutes before the scheduled main event last August 4, Pacquiao said he is committed to reviving professional boxing in this city, which has produced at least five world champions.
Aside from Pacquiao, who held world boxing crowns in the flyweight and super flyweight classes, General Santos is also home to former WBC super featherweight Rolando Navarette.
Other past world boxing champions who had, at one time or another, resided in the city were Rene Barrientos who held the World Boxing Association junior lightweight crown in the late 70s and Gerry Peñalosa, who is married to the daughter of former city councilor Ditdit Llido.
Newly crowned International Boxing Federation flyweight king Nonito Donaire also grew up in General Santos before his family migrated to the United Sates when he was just 10 years old.
