Philippine Showbiz Today 23
May 8 - 21 , 2017
Pacquiao meets Horn in Melbourne
Philippine Showbiz Today 23
World Boxing Organization welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao is back from Melbourne where he capped his three-city sojourn in Australia and immediately announced his readiness to prepare for his coming titular date with Jeff Horn on July 2 at Brisbane ’ s 55,000- seat Suncorp Arena .
“ Everything went well ( in the Australian trip ). Finally Horn and I met for the first time and it ’ s now time to prepare for the fight , “ Pacquiao whose party , including wife Jinkee , set foot shortly before midnight Friday , declared .
“ Medyo magiging hard and rigid ang training ngayon . Malaki and kalaban at kung tutoo ang balitang natanggap natin from members of the Filipino community down Under and the Autralians themselves , Horn should not be taken for granted ,” Pacquiao said
“ May kalakihan nga , pero bahagya lang at walang masyadong magiging advangtage ,” the Pacman ’ s
What ’ s left for Donnie Nietes to conquer ?
Already the longest-reigning Filipino world champion , Nietes chalked up another major accomplishment on Saturday night .
In beating Thai Komgrich Nantapech by unanimous decision at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino here , Nietes became the International Boxing Federation flyweight king and three-division champion , trailing only eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao , and Nonito Donaire Jr . ( five divisions ) in the roster of multiple Filipino titlists .
Nietes also held court in the 105 and 108-pound ( lb ) categories .
MALACAÑANG will have the last word on the fate of the ageing Rizal Memorial Sports Complex .
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “ Butch ” Ramirez said this after a ruling by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines declared .
“ We received a signed letter from the director of the NHCP . But , the matter of deciding on this has not yet been finalized . It will still depend closed in security Choy Garcia , who , along with assistant trainer Roger “ Haplas ” Fernandez was with the Autraslain trip assessed . “ Pero kainlagan ding paghandaang mabuti .”
Training will definitely start next week , the reigning 147-pound kingpin assured adding he cannot ascertain yet the he will plunge into action .
Since senate session is set to resume on Tuesday ( May 2 ), gym work may commence midweek , according to the eight division titlist .
“ I am still waiting the report on the extent of damage brought about by the earthquake that hit GenSan ( hometown General Santos City ). Kararating lang kasi namin hatinggabi kagabi , kaya di pa ako nakatatanggap ng report , “ the 38- year-old lawmaker said .
“ Kung malaki ang naging pinsala at kailangan kong pumunta doon bago madimula ang ensayo , lilipad tayo ,” he said . “ Kung minimal lamang
But Nietes , a month short of his 35th birthday , and ALA Promotions need to act fast to secure his future .
A voluntary title defense is likely to happen in September , while a unification title bout in the 112 lb division is in the horizon , according to ALA Promotions president and CEO Michael Aldeguer .
Also being considered is for Nietes to climb to the 115 lb division , where the big names like Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez hold court .
Gauging from his performance against Nantapech , however , moving up again may be a risky proposition for Nietes , unbeaten for over 12 years n a m a n , siguro the w e e k e n d a f t e r preparation a k o bibisita ,” he asserted .
H a p l a s said his Boss and m e m b e r s of the t r a i n i n g t e a m , including brother Buboy , Nono Neri and himself will meet tomorrow to decide on when the build up program will commence .
“ Monday pa ang dating ni Buboy from Bicol kaya noon pa lamang mapag-dedesisyunan ang araw king kailan kami mag-start .” he said . “ Meanwhile , resume na rin ang roadwork bukas ( Sunday ). “ One
Nietes sets sight on unified crown
on the Office of the President ,” said Ramirez .
Now that the declaration of the sports complex as a national historical landmark has been made official , the proposed sale of the pre-war sports mecca to a developer is still up in the air , according to Ramirez .
The sports chief said the PSC is not yet relinquishing its rights on the historic sports facility . and now 40-1-4 with 22 knockouts
Though his technical skills and ring generalship carried him past Nantapech , Nietes ’ power at 112 lb remains suspect as he wasn ’ t able to put down the Thai ( 22-4 , 15 KOs ), who ’ ve been stopped in two rounds by stable mate Albert Pagara before .
Nietes , who sustained a swollen left hand owing to the numerous jabs he landed on Nantapech ’ s face , offered an explanation .
“ At first I thought I can knock him down in the early rounds , but he ’ s tough . Very tough ,” said Nietes , who won by scores of 117-111 twice and 115-113 . “ That ’ s why we didn ’ t get the knockout .”( R . Luarca , inq ) ●
fficials of the government sports agency have not yet reached an agreement with representatives of the Manila City Hall on what to do with the aging sports facility .
According to their discussion with the DOJ , the City of Manila has ownership of the property , but since the PSC has usufructuary rights , they still have the right to negotiate .
And through a usufruct agreement , the government sports week kasing di nakatakbo si Boss habang nasa Australia .”
Like Garcia , Haplas dimissed Horn ’ s perceived edge in height . “ Matangkad lang , pero hindi naman hefty gaya ng report . Para lang si Vargas ,” he said referring to the Mexican-American Jessie Vagas , at whose expense Pacquiao took the title last November . ●
Palace has final say on Rizal Memorial Complex : Ramirez
agency will get a big percentage of the money that will be earned from its sale .
The ruling of the NHCP , declaring the sports complex as a national historical landmark should have stopped any sale .
For now , the stadium , which was built back in 1934 , can ’ t be demolished under the ruling . ( P . Atencio , MS ) ●