Manny replaces LeBron

POUND-FOR-POUND king Manny Pacquiao has replaced NBA superstar LeBron Jones of the Miami Heat in a Hewlett Packard mobile phone commercial.

Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz told the Inquirer that the fighting congressman recently completed a two-day commercial shoot for a HP phone, which is similar to the Blackberry. Pacquiao also promoted HP’s TouchPad.

Koncz said James was supposed to shoot the commercial but since the Heat were still battling the Boston Celtics in the NBA playoffs “he couldn’t do that.”

Koncz described it as “a tremendous deal which would automatically renew.”

“Manny was on time for the shoot,” said Koncz. “He was so happy. Everything was go, go, go.”

The latest endorsement by Pacquiao follows a growing recognition of the “Fighter of the Decade” as a crossover superstar with a huge global following.

Meantime, Koncz said he will soon sit down with Bernabe Concepcion to discuss his future when he returns to the Philippines.

“Concepcion has to give it some serious thought on whether he wants to box anymore or retire,” said Koncz.

Koncz said he also plans to get Rodel Mayol another fight within the month.