Pacquiao to grace Pinamungajan boxing

CEBU - Four-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is back to Cebu this weekend for two important commitments - grace the “Bahug Bahug sa Pinamungajan” card and spearhead the formal blessing and inauguration of a chapel in Brgy. Punta Princesa where he provided funding its construction.

“I think it is one of the the nicest chapels in Cebu,” said Pacquiao’s confidant Rex “Wakee” Salud who also had a substantial contribution for the building of the chapel. “Manny is a very religious person and he ordered the contruction of the chapel to inspire people to always look up to God and thank Him for all what we have in life.”

The chapel is situated just adjacent to the famed RWS Gym in Guadalupe Osmeña Village in Brgy. Punta Princesa. It is the same sweatshop where Pacquiao trained in September last year for his rematch against Mexican icon Marco Antonio Barrera. The Pacman went on to crush Barrera in 12 rounds of one-sided action.

Salud said Pacquiao will arrive Saturday morning and will proceed directly to the chapel’s blessing. In the afternoon, they will head to the southern Cebu town of Pinamungajan to grace a boxing extravaganza bankrolled by Pacquiao’s MP Promotions in association with Salud’s RWS Promotions International. The show starts at 3 pm.

Salud said the Pacquiaos traced their family roots in Pinamungajan and that is the main reason why Pacman is going to visit there for the first time.

On Sunday night, Pacquiao is set to leave for Los Angeles to start his massive buildup for his December 6 superfight against the legendary Oscar de la Hoya at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao is guaranteed to earn at least US$20 million for the De la Hoya bout that is billed as “Fight of the Century.”

Pacquiao and De la Hoya will fight under 147 pounds. A staggering US$3 million fine will be slapped for every excess pound either of the two protagonists will register during the official weigh-in.

Meanwhile, in the main event of the Pinamungajan slugfest, Romart Sentillas of Mandaue will go up against Rodel Tejares of Bukidnon in a non-title bout scheduled for 10 rounds.

The rest of the bouts pit Adonis Aguello vs. Romnick Rapista, Dave Christian Baliguat vs. Unjun Morano, Dizon Cag-ong vs. Octavio Aleonar, Ponce Villacura vs. Alex Baricuatro, and Yame Bermiso vs. Ricky Nuñez. The Freeman