FIL-CANADIANS WANT PACQUIAO TO WIN 8TH WORLD CROWN IN CANADA
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 18 Nov 2009
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Fans of World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight titlist Manny Pacquiao here have reiterated their request for the hard-hitting Filipino ringster to stage his next fight in Canada when he goes for his 8th world crown or defend his WBO belt.
“Matagal na kaming naghihintay na darating siya at dito gaganapin ang laban niya (We have been waiting for so long for him to fight here),” said Estelita Maglayao, storekeeper at the Vancouver International Airport, whose husband, Andresito, watched Pacquiao annihilate Miguel Angel Cotto in the 12th stanza in the “Firepower” WBO 147-lb title bout at ringside at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada last Nov. 14.
Maglayao, 63, said Andresito, 65, is only one of the thousands of Filipino-Canadian boxing fans eager to watch Pacquiao fight in Canada since last year.
“When news broke out last year that Pacquiao was planning to make his next fight here in Vancouver after he defeated (David) Diaz, every Filipino-Canadian was excited and were ready to buy tickets in advance, Maglayao, whose kiosk sells magazines, candies, newspapers, among other items in the ground floor of the airport.
Family members of a retired division chief of the Department of Labor regional office that migrated here three years ago have also offered to act as volunteers in the promotion if Pacquiao’s proposed fight in Vancouver was held here last year.
“My son (who is an aspiring actor and boxer) was ready to assist the Team Pacquiao if the fight was held here before December last year,” admitted Carlos Bela-ong, a registered boxing manager in the Philippines, who is now based here.
Pacquiao had actually hinted in an interview with Vancouver-based publisher Reynaldo Fortaleza late last year that “he was contemplating” on fighting in Vancouver as he was scheduled to hold a concert here arranged by Filipino composer Lito Camo.
When the concert didn’t materialize, Pacquiao’s proposed Vancouver fight had also fizzled out.
When it was reported that Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach had planned to put up a training camp here in preparation for his showdown with Miguel Angel Cotto, the excitement of Filipino-Canadian fans had reportedly heightened even more.
They were disappointed when the training camp was established in Baguio City
Pacquiao’s next fight however continued to be clouded by uncertainty as he is planning to run for congressman in Mindanao in the May 2010 elections.
Floyd Mayweather Jr., the last man standing, also reportedly continued to give Top Rank promoter Bob Arum a headache because of his “ridiculous” purse demands in a proposed duel with Pacquiao.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Sat, 25 Oct 202530 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 25 Oct 2025GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Oct 2025RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025DAY FOUR: SHAW DELIVERS GREATNESS TO JOIN ALCAIDE, CAPITO AND SEVASTYANOV IN STELLAR SEMI-FINAL LINEUP
Fri, 24 Oct 2025