Floyd Jr. scores big for PH tourism

Screengrab of Floyd Mayweather’s Instagram story.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. came, had fun, and conquered.

He jetted in from Bangkok earlier in the week and immediately declared the Manny Pacquiao-Lucas Matthysse fight would be very competitive. The unbeaten world boxing legend also wished Pacquiao good luck.

It was not Mayweather’s duty to plug the July 15 WBA world welterweight championship in Kuala Lumpur, but he nonetheless gave his gracious blessing.

It was supposed to be a three-day Philippine stop in Mayweather’s rest-and-recreation schedule.

There were reports Mayweather was still in town early yesterday. GMA News reported he was scheduled for an audience with President Duterte later on Friday.

Anyway, while there was trouble and confusion at the Department of Tourism, Mayweather slipped off to tourist destinations in the south, including the world-famous El Nido resort, where he was ushered in, serenaded and treated like royalty.

He also indulged in some unscheduled shopping in at least two local malls.

There’s no way to know how many foreigners would positively respond to Mayweather’s fun-filled visit, but his coming would greatly boost the national tourism sales pitch which says “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

There was no chance to talk boxing business with the very busy Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

Meanwile, veteran promoter Bob Arum has been saying that Pacquiao was very keen in fighting Vasyl Lomachenko, the phenomenal Ukranian two-time Olympic gold medalist, who clashes with Jorge Linares in New York on Sunday.

Arum has in fact made hints a Pacquiao-Lomachenko fight could happen within the year.

However, in order for that great fight to materialize, Pacquiao has to first make a spectacular stand in Kuala Lumpur in July.