Floyd to put up health centers – report

MANILA, Philippines - If and when Floyd Mayweather Jr. comes to visit the Philippines, he will not be the first of Manny Pacquiao’s former opponents to do so.

A report that came out of The STAR said Mayweather was invited by a promoter, and could be part of the deal that would bring a group of NBA players to the country this summer.

Alex Ariza, the former strength and conditioning coach of Pacquiao, who now works for Mayweather, also told sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielsz of Mayweather’s plans.

It includes putting up wellness and health centers in Manila. It’s Mayweather’s way of giving back to the Filipino people, recognizing the fact that it was Pacquiao who led him to his biggest paycheck ever.

Mayweather reportedly earned close to $300 million for the Pacquiao fight last May. It’s not certain if his planned visit is in any way connected to talks of a possible rematch with Pacquiao.

If he comes over, Mayweather will get a taste of Filipino hospitality.

Pacquiao could not be reached for comment yesterday. The past few days he was with his family at the famous Pearl Farm beach resort in Davao to celebrate the birthday of his wife, Jinkee.

Days after the May 2 fight with Pacquiao, Mayweather had already mentioned the possibility of visiting the Philippines.

Mayweather told FightHype he wants to “help feed the less fortunate” in the Philippines.

“I still want to go over to the Philippines and help feed the people, who are less fortunate,” he said.

Erik Morales, who fought Pacquiao three times starting in 2005, had visited Manila a couple of times, and even did a San Miguel Beer commercial with Pacquiao.

Morales had a good time in Manila, and loved how Filipinos adored him. In one of his visits, he came upon the invitation of a friend, Filipino industrialist Hermie Esguerra.

David Diaz, who lost his WBC lightweight title to Pacquiao in 2008, ended up attending one of the Filipino boxer’s birthday parties in General Santos City.

Diaz was joined at the party by the late Edwin Valero, the Venezuelan knockout artist (with 27 KOs in 27 fights) who was once groomed as a Pacquiao opponent.

Valero was charged of killing his wife in 2010, and was brought to prison. Just days after, he was found dead inside his prison cell, apparently committing suicide by hanging himself.

Marco Antonio Barrera, the Mexican assassin, was in Cebu in 2013 to grace an ALA Promotions card, and said he planned to build boxing gyms in Manila.

Then in 2014, American Shane Mosley was a visitor in Manila, coming over to help raise funds for victims of Typhoon Yolanda.