WORLD EXCLUSIVE: BARRERA NOW WANTS TO FIGHT PACQUIAO!!!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 08 Mar 2006
In a major twist of events, WBC and IBF superfeatherweight king Marco Antonio Barrera is now calling out Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and has indicated his intention to defend his WBC title against the General Santos lefty.
WBC president Jose Sulaiman, in a faxed message addressed to Pacquiao, manager Shelly Finkel, promoter Gary Shaw and Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain yesterday, revealed that Barrera had contacted the WBC office to announce his readiness to face Pacquiao soon.
"The WBC super featherweight champion of the world Marco Antonio Barrera has contacted the WBC to let us know that he is ready and willing to make his WBC mandatory defense against Manny Pacquiao," Sulaiman said in his letter.
"It is absolutely necessary that you inform us within 7 days, as requested before, if you accept the official challenger position and if you are ready to fight Marco Barrera for the WBC's super featherweight championship of the world," the letter added.
Buhain immediately indicated that he will be contacting all individuals involved, saying "This is the biggest event we have been waiting for to transpire."
Barrera was scheduled to challenge IBF lightweight champ Jesus Chavez on March 25, but the bout fell through after Chavez suffered a torn muscle in his left bicep that will require surgery, according to official releases sent by organizers.
Pacquiao, for his part, is set to take on Mexican Oscar "Chololo" Larios in a 10-round non-title fight on June 25 at the Araneta Coliseum.
A rubbermatch with Mexican Erik Morales has been penciled for September 16 in Las Vegas, but now that Barrera has suddenly come into the picture, Pacquiao may have to choose who to fight after Larios.
END
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