BOBBY PACQUIAO VS SOTTO FIGHT IN JEOPARDY
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 18 Mar 2007
Bobby Pacquiao’s showdown with WBC No. 2 Humberto Soto scheduled for June 9 at Madison Square Garden may be in jeopardy after the US Embassy informed him they were investigating the reported loss of his passport.
Pacquiao reportedly applied for a new passport at the US Consulate in Davao City but failed to inform American officials that he had lost his passport. It was only when he applied for a visa that he realized the problem he faced.
Well known boxing man Moy Lainez told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that a letter addressed to Pacquiao and sent to the Wild Card Gym of Rod Nazario in BF Homes, Paranaque stated that the loss of his passport was under investigation.
According to Lainez, Pacquiao who trains at the Wild Card Gym was reprimanded by Nazario for not informing the US Embassy about the loss of his passport. Pacquiao reportedly claimed he lost his passport in his hometown of General Santos while drinking with friends. Lainez said as far as he knows “he (Bobby Pacquiao) cannot leave the Philippines.” He said the US Embassy letter indicated that “a visa could not be given until further investigation.”
There was concern that the passport may have been used by someone else which would further complicate the problems for Pacquiao.
Soto who hasn’t lost a fight since 2002 has a ring record of 41-5-2 with 26 knockouts and is handled by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who offered Pacquiao a choice of an April 27 fight against another opponent or a big money clash with Soto on June 9. Pacquiao reportedly picked Soto because of the purse of $150,000.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Junior, 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 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025