This time, Mike A says he will miss Pacquiao?s fight
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 29 Jun 2006
He did not miss Manny Pacquiao?s most dramatic fights especially when the pugilist lost to Erik Morales on March 19, 2005 in the MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas; Pacquiao?s conquest of Hector Velasquez on September 10, 2005 at the Staples Center, Los Angeles; and Pacquiao?s 10-round demolition of Morales in a rematch on January 21, 2006.
This time, First Gentleman Jose Miguel ?Mike? Arroyo?s absence in the ringside will be missed by both his critics and friends when Pacquiao defends his WBC international superfeatherweight crown versus Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on July 2.
?I would like to (watch the fight) but I think I won?t be back in time,? Arroyo said in a text message to this writer June 28.
Arroyo, who turned 60 last June 27, is now in Santiago de Compostela, Spain on a pilgrimage and was set to fly to Madrid together with Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, their children and grandchildren.
CHEER
?I will just cheer and pray for him (Pacquiao),? Arroyo added. ?His victory is the country?s victory?cheers!?
Arroyo came under heavy criticism from the opposition when a sports columnist from a Manila-based broadsheet had alleged that he stayed in a US$50,000 per night suite room in the MGM Grand Hotel during the Pacquiao-Morales first fight.
He denied the report saying there was no such room in Las Vegas worth that much even as he blamed politics behind the hullabaloo.
Arroyo?s critics also took potshots at his gesture of climbing the ring to personally congratulate Pacquiao and calling Pres. Arroyo by long distance in a cellular phone immediately after Pacquiao blown away Morales in the 10th canto in the rematch.
Observers said either Arroyo, a true blue boxing enthusiast, had intentionally skipped the July 2 ?Mano A Mano? affair to stay away from political heat and controversy or he really wanted to watch the fight as he claimed but wasn?t aware that the schedule would coincide with the President?s state visit in Italy and Spain.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Dec 2025United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025