Dennis Principe

07.08 - IBF superbantamweight champion Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao is set to defend his title against 4th ranked contender Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym (36W-2L, 22 KO’s) of Thailand on October 12.

This after Pacquiao’s business manager, Rod Nazario agreed to hold the title fight in Davao City which is about one hour and 15 minutes away from Manila.

North Cotabato Governor and former journalist Manny Piñol in partnership with Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte will be behind the colossal promotion which will be Pacquiao’s third title defense.

Piñol told East Side Boxing is optimistic they will be able to duplicate their last promotion in Kidapawan (1 hour away from Davao City) last April 28, 2001 where Pacquiao defended his WBC International supebantamweight title for the 5th time against Wethya Sakmuangklang of Thailand where the coliseum was literally filled to the rafters.

Pacquiao will be receiving $160,000 while Rakkiatgym will take home $25,000 for his first title shot at 122 lbs.

Pacquiao will leave Manila this August 13 to have a 3-round exhibition match against former world champion Jesus “Hawaiian Punch” Salud at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 20. It will serve as one of the undercards of Gerry Peñalosa’s WBC Int’l superflyweight title defense against Seiji Tanaka of Japan. Pacquiao will be accompanied by Nazario and chief trainer Lito Mondejar. From Hawaii they will immediately fly to Los Angeles, California where Pacquiao will resume training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym.

Pacquiao will next target former world champion Clarence “Bones” Adams possibly in November.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s manager Marty Elorde claims there is no need to meet and talk Nazario when it comes to their dispute over Pacquiao.

This after Nazario challenged Elorde to talk to him personally and settle whatever problems they have in handling Pacquiao.

Elorde, claimed that his problem with the country’s lone world champion has already been settled when they met last week in Davao. During the meeting arranged by Piñol, Pacquiao agreed to withdraw his revocation of Elorde as his manager.

“My problem is with Pacquiao because of the letter he sent to the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) stating he wanted to terminate my services as his manager. It’s just natural for me to talk directly with Pacquiao” Said Elorde. “But now that Pacquiao assured me that he will withdraw his complaint against me, there is no need to talk with Mr. Nazario.”

Elorde appealed to Nazario to concentrate in planning for Pacquiao’s next fight. Elorde maintained that he is leaving everything to Nazario as far making decisions regarding Pacquiao’s future fights.

“I leave it all to Mr. Nazario for as long as they honor our contract which runs until 2005. If they want to have control over Pacquiao, fine with me. But I will make sure Manny will know what he’s getting into. ” Elorde stated.