WANTED: FOREIGN FOE FOR PACQUIAO
By Dennis Principe
03.12 - MANILA, Philippines - If IBF Superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines is to be asked, he would rather face a foreign fighter than a fellow Filipino as his next opponent.
This after the name of countryman and former WBC featherweight champion Luisito Espinosa cropped up as a possible opponent of Pacquiao in a non-title fight tentatively set on the first week of March in Manila.
"I really don´t care whoever I fight but if I´m to be asked I´d rather face any foreign opponent that face a fellow Filipino" Pacquiao said who is currently in General Santos City, South of the Philippines.
Pacquiao´s last Filipino opponent was one-time WBC title challenger Reynante Jamili when they fought for the vacant WBC international superbantamweight title three years ago at the Elorde Sports Complex in Paraqaque, Philippines. Pacquiao took the title when he stopped Jamili in two rounds.
After the Jamili fight, Pacquiao kayoed Australian citizen Arnel Barotillo in the 4th round. Barotillo was born and raised in the Philippines. Pacquiao has since logged eight straight victories versus foreign opponents.
When asked to name a specific opponent he wishes to fight, Pacquiao said he wants to face former foe Nedal "Skinny" Hussein of Australia in a rematch.
Pacquiao, who got floored by a lightning quick left straight in the 4th round, barely escaped a 10th round TKO verdict against Hussein in a WBC International title fight last October 14, 2000 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Pacquiao added that he wants to put an end to Hussein´s incessant claim that without the help of referee Sonny Padilla he would have knocked out the Filipino fighter in their first fight.
International promoter Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde Jr., who is bankrolling Pacquiao´s next fight, also believes a Pacquiao-Hussein tussle will be a surefire hit owing to the fact that there were indeed some doubts regarding the result of their first fight.
