Pacquiao bout sked moved

In just a very short span, the date of Manny Pacquiao’s next fight had changed a couple of times as the political plans of the Pinoy boxing hero was made official the other day.

Pacquiao was first supposed to fight Korean Injin Chi in Macau on April 28. But earlier this week, it was announced that he’s be fighting in San Antonio, Texas on April 21 instead.

Yesterday, it was learned that the date had been pushed once more, one week earlier, but against the same opponent that was advertised last week – Mexico’s Jorge Solis.

Bob Arum of Top Rank, which has the promotional rights over Pacquiao, said the latter’s political plans were taken into serious consideration in finalizing the date of the fight.

Pushing the date two weeks earlier than the original plan would give Pacquiao more time to campaign for the local elections scheduled May 14.

Pacquiao, the most popular Filipino athlete today, is either running for mayor or congressman in his native Gen. Santos City, and there’s a very strong chance that he’d win.

Pacquiao said he plans to leave the country late this month or very early in March to train at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. With the new date, he could train probably no more than six weeks.

And once he gets the fight over and done with, he’ll probably spend everyday until election day campaigning, not only in his province, but in other areas where he could help the administration party.

Last Friday, Pacquiao took his oath of membership of the Liberal Party before Manila Mayor Lito Atienza in simple rites held at the Manila City Hall. He came with wife Jinkee and some friends.