Salud says Campbell is more attractive foe for Pacman than Valero

Although the unbeaten Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero appears to be the leading candidate as Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent, Cebuano topnotch promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud said there’s a big possibility that the Filipino ring superstar will end up fighting next IBF/WBA/WBO lightweight champion Nate Campbell.

“It’s true that negotiations are underway for a Pacquiao-Valero fight on November 8 because as of now, Valero is the only available opponent for Manny,” said Salud, Pacquiao’s confidant and associate.

“Valero is undefeated with all his wins by knockout in the first round but he is not really that well-known and popular. He hasn’t fought yet top caliber foes. For me, Nate Campbell is the more attractive opponent for Pacquiao. The good thing about Campbell as a foe is that Pacquiao will already have seven belts if Pacquiao beats him,” added Salud.

Campbell presently holds three titles, while Pacquiao carries along with him four - the WBC International super featherweight, WBC super featherweight, Ring Magazine super featherweight, and the WBC lightweight belts.

Overall, Pacquiao owns four world crowns in different weight classes, becoming the first Asian boxer to achieve the feat. He once ruled the WBC flyweight and IBF super bantamweight division.

For the Campbell fight to happen, Salud said they have to wait first and weigh all options as the American hard-puncher is set to defend his titles against the undefeated WBO jr lightweight champion Joan Guzman of Dominican Rebublic on September 13 with no confirmed venue in the United States.

“We’ll have to wait for the result of Campbell upcoming fight. Maybe after that, we can already plot who really is up next for Manny. Ricky Hatton is also highly considered but I believe that fight will happen in 2009 yet,” said Salud.

Pacquiao arrived to another hero’s welcome the other day and promised to donate P3M (approximately US$65,000) and hold a fund-raising concert for the victims of typhoon “Frank” that ravaged the country two weeks ago.

Pacquiao, 29, has been designated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the country’s  special envoy to next month’s Beijing Olympics. For that, he will be tasked to carry the RP flag during the opening ceremony of the world’s biggest, richest and grandest multi-sport conclave.

Pacquiao is set to return to his hometown General Santos City tomorrow where another red-carpet welcome awaits the Pinoy boxing phenomenon whose hallowed name reverberated in both hemispheres of the globe.—EBV