Pacquiao close to Barrios fight
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 20 Aug 2024
CANTILAN. Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao rode his BMW R1250GS motorcycle from General Santos City to this Surigao del Sur municipality last Thursday and was welcomed by thousands of well-wishers celebrating the town fiesta that was climaxed by a 14-fight card on the former eight-division world champion’s “Blow By Blow” series.
It took Pacquiao and over 60 other riders 16 hours to traverse the one-way distance of 530 kilometers, including a breakfast stop in Tagum and a lunch break in Bislig. The riders left General Santos City at 3am and arrived here at 7pm. Pacquiao went straight to the Municipal Gymnasium where the fights were held. He was called up the ring to speak and noted “Blow By Blow” was where his boxing career began. The former Congressman and Senator said boxing has put the Philippines on the world map and it’s his hope that “Blow By Blow” will discover the next Pacquiao. Taking a jab at Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao said the new generation of Filipino fighters is exciting and won’t run away from engaging unlike his shoulder-rolling rival.
Town Mayor Philip Pichay laid out the red carpet for Pacquiao’s “Blow By Blow” team, led by CEO Marife Barrera with local businessman Engineer Rumel Lamparas bankrolling the event. Pacquiao spent the night in Lamparas’ rest house then rode back to General Santos City on his 1,254cc motorcycle at 7am the next morning. Among those who rode with Pacquiao were his long-time trainer Buboy Fernandez and Mayor Alexander Reganit of Maitum, Saranggani.
From his Las Vegas home, MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said ‘I’m praying that we close (the fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios) very soon here hopefully.” Pacquiao is gearing to challenge Barrios in what will be his farewell outing in Las Vegas in November. It’s touted as a legacy fight since Pacquiao’s first title was with WBC in the flyweight division and he hopes to leave boxing with another WBC strap. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman is due in Manila to witness WBC minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem’s first defense against Mexico’s Luis Castillo in Mandaluyong on Sept. 22.
Photo: Celebrated Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao lead a group of bikers who traversed from his hometown in General Santos City to Cantilan, Surigao del Sur on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
Tue, 08 Jul 2025UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
Mon, 07 Jul 2025Yoseline Perez Concludes World Boxing Cup Astana 2025 with Silver Medal
Mon, 07 Jul 2025GM Gonzales finishes second in Penang Makruk chess meet, pockets silver medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 07 Jul 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 10 - ALI WINS OVER PATTERSON, EVADES VIETNAM WAR DRAFT
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 06 Jul 2025Jack Catterall Defeats Harlem Eubank Via Technical Decision After Fight Stopped Early Due to Cuts
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 06 Jul 2025Good Fortune for Manny
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 06 Jul 2025Rimar Metuda Bows to Kuntae Lee in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 06 Jul 2025BA President Umar Kremlev makes heavyweight icon Tyson Fury an offer for ‘beautiful farewell fight’ for IBA heavyweight title
Sun, 06 Jul 2025Yoseline Perez Advances to Gold Medal Bout at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Sun, 06 Jul 2025Catterall vs Eubank: Jack’s Experience Gap Too Wide?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 05 Jul 2025Morelle McCane Advances to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Sat, 05 Jul 2025WEIGHTS FROM MANCHESTER: CATTERALL - 146.5 LBS., EUBANK - 146.5 LBS.
Sat, 05 Jul 2025Vincent Astrolabio in LA training alongside Manny Pacquiao
By Ace Freeman, Sat, 05 Jul 2025Jason Sanchez Upsets Previously Undefeated Julian Gonzalez in Philly
Sat, 05 Jul 2025