Why the long delay
One thing I can’t understand is why did it take so long for Manny Pacquiao to agree to a rematch if promoter Bob Arum foresees the Trilogy with Juan Manuel Marquez to be “a great fight.”
Remember that Marquez has been openly challenging Pacquiao to a third match, saying that he was the actual victor in their second match staged in Las Vegas in 2008.
The fight ended in a split decision win for Pacquiao.
On television, Pacquiao has been ignoring if not refusing the challenge outright. He said nobody will watch a Pacquiao-Marquez fight, possibly because he considers the Mexican fighter a has-been.
I don’t know what made him change his mind.
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In case you haven’t heard, Arum is planning a world tour for Pacquiao and Marquez to promote “The Trilogy” which is set Nov. 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The tour will cover seven cities in eight countries, starting in Manila this August.
From here, the fighters will go on a whirlwind visit of cities like Tokyo, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, London, New York and Los Angeles.
The tour will end in Marquez’s homeland, Mexico.
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Arum explained why he is taking Pacquiao and Marquez thousands of miles all over the world together for a promotional tour.
“Pacquiao has long ceased to be only a product in the Philippines, the United States and Mexico. He is already a global icon and therefore we are going around the world to promote this great fight. The tour will start in Manila this August and will end in Mexico in September, with the necessary time required for both fighters to return to their camps.
“It will be a great fight and we expect it in 1.6 million homes on pay-per-view,” Arum said.
Speaking of pay-per-view, an article in the Pacland Website said the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr., who has been inactive for more than a year now, continues to be the top PPV seller in the United States, with Pacquiao coming in second.
Mayweather’s comeback fight against Victor Ortiz is scheduled on Sept. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
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Text message from Ronnie Nathanielsz who is in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to cover the World Cup qualifying duel between the Philippines and Sri Lanka on June 29: “There is excitement among some 300 Pinoys in Colombo, of which about 100 plan to attend. I am pleasantly amazed at the progress achieved under a strong leadership….the good roads, the large, well-appointed airport, the visible police presence and many other improvements struck us. Many long lost friends in show biz and broadcasting came to see us .
Despite all these, we miss our home — Manila!!”
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HOOPVINE: Fil-American Ana “the Hurricane” Julaton won by unanimous decision over Angel “Non-Stop” Gladney in their fight on June 25 at the Dade County auditorium.
