Basketball keeps Pacman trim, fit

By NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – It was late in the third quarter when he asked to be substituted and a slender guy with albatross-like arms came in to replace him. Outside the boxing ring, away from the bruising world of prize-fighting, it is inside the basketball court that Manny Pacquiao finds solace and enjoyment, looking and acting as if he is a kid who had just stepped... 

3 more fights for Pacquiao

By NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – Three months removed from the most harrowing experience of his stellar career, Manny Pacquiao has moved on and looks forward to the day when when he fulfi lls his promise to everyone that he will rise again. In a free-wheeling discussion over a sumptuous meal of his favorite culinary delights—lobster and grouper and stewed meat—Pacquiao... 

Crucial meeting

Manila, Philippines – Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum will try to inject some sense into Juan Manuel Marquez’s head when they spend dinner together on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). Arum believes there is no choice for Marquez to walk away from a verbal commitment to face Pacquiao in a fifth fight sometime in September because of the sheer magnitude of such a matchup.  Read More »

Marquez: ‘I owe Pacquiao nothing’

By NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – Juan Manuel Marquez swears that he doesn’t owe Manny Pacquiao anything. Stung by accusations that he is running away from a fifth fight with his fierce Filipino foe, Marquez told Record, the leading Mexican sports paper, that it was Pacquiao who badly wanted the fourth fight that Marquez won in stunning fashion at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  Read More »

Pacquiao, Marquez tiff in Macau?

by Nick Giongco Manila, Philippines – Macau might end up playing host to the proposed September showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum said Macau has the resources to do just that and he’d know soon if the former Portuguese colony could live up to its promise.  Read More »

Waiting game

Manila, Philippines – As Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire keenly await the date of their respective return to the ring, two other leading Filipino punchers have already secured major fights here and overseas. World light-flyweight champions Donnie Nietes and John Riel Casimero are set to see action on March 2 and March 16.  Read More »

Pacquiao-Marquez fight done deal

By NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – As far as Juan Manuel Marquez is concerned, a fifth fight with Manny Pacquiao is a done deal. Set for Sept. 14 before an expected sellout crowd, Mexico’s No. 1 promoter Fernando Beltran said Marquez will return the favor and grant Pacquiao the chance to redeem himself following the sixth-round knockout he absorbed last year. Incoming search... 

Pacquiao-Marquez return April 20

By NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez are being poised to share the spotlight anew on April 20. Not against each other but against separate opponents. Incoming search terms:latest news about pacquiao april 20 2013 (1)pacquiao april 20 2013 (1) Read More »

Get tested, Arum tells Pacquiao

Manila, Philippines – Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is so intrigued and bothered by an observation made by a Filipino doctor on Manny Pacquiao that he will strongly recommend that his No. 1 fighter undergo a battery of tests at the Cleveland Clinic in Las Vegas, said to be the leading center for brain-related injuries.  Read More »

Pacquiao remembers

By NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – In between giving an impromptu tour of his ultra-modern residence at Forbes Park over the weekend, Manny Pacquiao rekindled the not-so-distant memories of his epic brawl with Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, admitting that he got hit by a perfect punch and vowing that he will rebound from that horrifying loss. Incoming search terms:paquiao...