MP’s ‘Blow by Blow’ rolls on the road

NOT that he didn’t give a damn about his promoter, but Manny Pacquiao has made mention of the country’s next President, instead of his next opponent.

In his birthday celebration in General Santos City on Thursday, Pacquiao was overheard naming Vice President Jejomar Binay as “the next President.”

Yesterday, by the way, marked the third week since veteran promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao would announce his foe in what’s supposed to be his final fight in Las Vegas on April 9.

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The announcement did not happen. Arum would explain that Pacquiao has not made up his mind.

Nothing has so far been heard from Pacquiao, while Arum continued his bewilderment over Pacquiao’s strange silence.

Has Pacquiao chosen to “stare at the skies” (as one pundit put it) while bothered Mr. Arum seethes?

Not really. Pacquiao, in fact, made it a joyful and memorable Christmas for his constituents by giving away presents, cash and assorted goodies during his 37th birthday celebration.

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Pacquiao has also stayed concerned, very close to the sport of boxing.

In the Blow by Blow boxing presentation on television last Sunday, Pacquiao in gleaming blue shirt, was a picture of complete serenity as he delivered a closing inspirational message to aspirant boxers. He asked them to always be in tip-top shape and be fully prepared for their matches.

Blow by Blow, presented by Manny Pacquiao and hosted by sportsman Manny Piñol, is a revival of the TV program in the ’80s where the Filipino boxing superhero was discovered.

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There were minor glitches in last Sunday’s televised episode, like a murky main floor and poor camera focus, but show director Bebs Alvarez said these will all be corrected in succeeding presentations.

Will Blow by Blow be transfixed in Davao?

Alvarez said there are plans for the promotion to go nationwide in a firm bid to root out future champions from the countryside.

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In fact, the next promotion has been scheduled in Cebu City, with a third one being planned in the Luzon area.

It was unclear if the transfer of better technical skills to unskilled aspirants would also be part of the revived boxing program.

What has come through was that “Manny Pacquiao is the next Senator” as announced by Mr. Binay during Manny’s birthday.