Pacquiao's maiden US promotion a hit

CEBU - The first boxing event promoted by Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao in the United States appears to be a big hit as ringside tickets for the September 25 show worth $250 each have been sold out, according to a report by fightnews.com.

The slambang fisticuffs co-presented by Sycuan Ringside Promotions will take place at the Sycuan Resort & Casino in El Cajon, California.

Some of Pacquiao’s top caliber boxers will headline the action-packed card in NABF super bantamweight champion Bernabe Concepcion, light welterweight Dennis Laurente, and lightweight prospect Mercito Gesta.

Concepcion (26-1-1, 15KOs) tangles with Mexican champion Giovanni Caro (11-4-4, 9KOs) in a non-title bout scheduled for 10 rounds, Laurente (29-3, 15 KOs) goed up against Arturo Urena (20-15, 12 KOs), while Gesta (13-0-1, 5 KOs) slugs it out with Alain “Conan” Hernandez (12-5-2, 7 KOs).

Pacquiao will attend his maiden venture in the US boxing promotion. Afterwhich, the four-division world champion from General Santos City will go full swing with his rigorious training regimen in preparation for his December 6 superfight against the legendary Oscar de la Hoya at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Vegas bookmakers have installed Pacquiao as the underdog against the bigger and taller De la Hoya. As of Monday, Pacquiao was listed as +180 and Dela Hoya as –240. This means that a $100bet on the Filipino rakes in $180, and for the 1992 Olympic champion, you need $240 to win $100. (THE FREEMAN)