Presidents Spouse, Manila Mayor support Pacquiao card
photo: L-R, International matchmaker Lope Sarreal, Jr., Manla Mayor Lito Atienza, IBF champion Manny Pacquiao
and International promoter Gabriel Bebot Elorde, Jr.
By Dennis Principe
10.03 - MANILA, Philippines No less than the husband of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vowed full support for IBF superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiaos 10-round non-title fight versus Kazakhstan champion Serik Yeshmangbetov on March 15 at the Rizal Park (Luneta Park) in this city.
First Gentleman Mike Arroyo gave his blessings to the card promoted by Gabriel Bebot Elorde and made sure that the bouts will be shown free to the public.
Arroyo said Filipinos, particularly the youth must be given the opportunity of watching a world champion like Pacquiao who serves as a good role model.
For his part, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza gave his own support by allowing the fight to be staged at the National Park located in his jurisdiction.
Atienza also vowed to provide ample security measures where a crowd of about 200,000 is expected to watch the explosive boxing promotion dubbed as Bakbakan sa Luneta (Rumble in Luneta).
Also slated to see action is undefeated Cebuano flyweight sensation Z Gorres.
A member of the new generation ALA Boys of Cebu boxing patron Antonio Aldeguer, the undefeated Gorres will be up against Roy Balataria in a 12-round match for the interim Philippine flyweight crown.
The winner will then shoot for the regular RP title currently held by Rolly Lunas who is coming off a failed attempt at the Oriental title recently.
A WBC international bantamweight tussle between reigning RP Bantamweight king Johnny Lear against current RP superflyweight boss Roger Galicia will add fireworks to the promotion.
WBC #2 Juanito Rubillar is penciled to appear in a 10-round non-title fight against a yet-to-be-named opponent.