Pacquiao to mount nat’l boxing tourney

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  â€“ Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao will launch a national boxing program, the Manny Pacquiao national championships, aimed at discovering potential boxing champions all over the country.

Pacquiao, who was re-elected congressman of Sarangani province during the May 13 elections, is reportedly keen on launching the program to help tap young talents from the countryside as part of his continuing outreach efforts.

Former North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol said a monthly boxing tourney will be held in Metro Manila, featuring fighters from eight boxing clubs in the country who will compete in eight weight categories.

The matches, according to Piñol, are to be aired weekly by a major television network with Pacquiao himself hosting the event, organized with support from Raymundo “Jeff” de Guzman.

Negotiations are now reportedly underway among Pacquiao’s camp with the management of the Solaire Resort & Casino, the possible venue of the tournaments, and GMA television network, which is to air the sports show.

Winners in Pacquiao’s boxing show shall be awarded with a Manny Pacquiao Trophy and a cash grant of P100,000 each.

Only fighters who have not won national, regional or world titles, not over 28 years of age, can participate in the tournament, Piñol said.

The Pacquiao boxing matches are expected to be launched by the last week of July with Pacquiao himself hosting the show at ringside, Piñol said.