Visa may delay Pacman trip

MANILA, Philippines - Not even Manny Pacquiao is exempted from visa problems.

The Pinoy superstar’s scheduled trip to the United Kingdom where he will hook up with Ricky Hatton will remain in the balance until he and his companions secure their visas.

The boxer’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal, yesterday said Pacquiao applied for a UK visa during his recent stay in the US but was never able to follow up his application.

Gacal said Pacquiao might apply for a second time tomorrow in Manila, and if granted a visa later in the week, he might fly straight to London instead of Los Angeles.

Pacquiao is supposed to fly to LA on Feb. 24 but has pushed the date to Feb. 26. Then he is scheduled to meet Bob Arum, and they will travel to London together the day after.

“But if we can get the visa here in Manila no earlier than March 26 then we will fly straight to London and meet Arum there. We’re all hoping to get the paperwork done here,” said Gacal.

Pacquiao and Hatton, locked up for a May 2 fight in Las Vegas, will stage a promotional rally at The Trafford Centre in Manchester on Feb. 28.

Then on March 2, they will face the British and international press at the Imperial War Museum in London. A tour of key US cities is also on tap although there were reports of a cancellation.

From the UK Pacquiao will head to LA to start his nine-week training at the Wild Card Gym.

Hatton, who has announced his plan to marry his girlfriend, has gone a step ahead, training at Ashton Under Lyme just outside Manchester. He will train for 11 weeks. – Abac Cordero