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:
World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Wed, 07 Jan 2026Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
Wed, 07 Jan 2026Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
Tue, 06 Jan 2026Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 05 Jan 2026SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 05 Jan 202687th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 05 Jan 2026Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 02 Jan 2026Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
Fri, 02 Jan 2026Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
Thu, 01 Jan 2026Lover Boy on hot streak
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
Wed, 31 Dec 2025