Manny presents ‘Ring’ belt to GMA

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao formally presented yesterday to President Arroyo the featherweight champion belt awarded him by the prestigious Ring Magazine for his sensational victory over Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera.

Accompanied by his manager Rod Nazario and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, the Filipino champ shared the honor with the President after he received the belt from Ring Magazine editor-in-chief Nigel Collins.

Meanwhile, Pacquio is set to undergo rigid training in the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles for his scheduled May 8 bout probably against world featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.

Interviewed after the brief program at the Palace yesterday, Nazario said Pacquiao will plunge into deep training since he faces another tough outing against Marquez who holds the featherweight crowns of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Association (WBA).