Salud sees more Pacman fights

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is on top of the world, and one of his close friends and advisers, Wakee Salud, doesn’t see him going anywhere else.

“Nasa top na siya (He’s on top),” said the amiable Cebuano matchmaker, who flies to Gen Santos City to join Pacquiao in his grand birthday bash scheduled today.

“Sana lang ipagpatuloy pa niya ang kagalingan niya sa boxing (I hope he continues his excellence in the ring),” added Salud, one of the very few men who’s always there for Pacquiao.

While others suggest that Pacquiao should retire after his March 13 fight with Floyd Mayweather, Salud is actually going the opposite direction.

“Habang kaya pa niya, habang nandiyan pa siya, puwede pa (As long as he can, as long as he’s there then he should stay),” he said yesterday from Cebu.

In fact, Salud sees three more fights for the reigning pound-for-pound champion. If he beats Mayweather, there’s just too many offers to come his way, offers he can’t refuse.

“If he beats Mayweather, a lot of people will come to him. Dudumugin siya,” said Salud, adding that whoever it is he’d be up against in the future, Pacquiao should be guaranteed at least $20 million per fight.

“Kahit anong laban. Kahit sino. Sigurado $20 million ang minimum purse niya,” said Salud.

He mentioned Yuri Foreman, Shane Mosley, Edwin Valero or Tim Bradley as Pacquiao’s possible opponents once he gets over Mayweather.

“Madami pang kalaban dyan,” he said.

For the meantime, however, it’s Pacquiao’s birthday bash he’s looking forward to.   – Abac Cordero