Pacquiao stakes title vs Thai foe

KIDAPAWAN, North Cotabato — Manny Pacquiao defends his World Boxing Council international super bantamweight crown against Wethya Sakmuangklang of Thailand before an expected sellout crowd at the Provincial Capitol grounds here.

The fight, dubbed the "Rumblin’ by the Mountain II," begins at 3 p.m. and will be aired on a delayed basis on PTV 4 beginning at 6 tonight.

The 22-year-old Pacquiao, a native of General Santos City, some 15 kilometers drive from Kidapawan, weighed in at 122 lbs, while Sakmuangklang came in at 121 3/4 lbs in the official weigh-in at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao.

The 12-round encounter is put up by Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde Jr. in coordination with North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol, the proceeds of which will go to the provincial grassroots development sports program.

Both fighters have vowed to go for a knockout with Pacquiao predicting Sakmuangklang will go back to Thailand badly bruised, and Sakmuangklang boasting that he will derail the Filipino’s plan of campaigning to the USA after he had beaten him.

Two other WBC international title fights are on tap in the blockbuster event, supported by San Miguel Beer, Negros Navigation, Royal Mandaya Hotel, and Miller Cigarette. Minimumweight champion Ernesto Rubillar clashes with Somthawin Singwongcha and elder brother lightflyweight Juanito faces Fahsang Pow Pongsawang.

Bruce McTavish of New Zealand will be the referee-judge for the Pacquiao-Sakmuangklang fight, while the two judges are Thai Nopparat Sricharoen and American Gene Del Bianco.