Cermeno eager to fight Pacquiao
By Dennis Principe
13.04 - FORMER two-time world champion Antonio “Colossus” Cermeno reiterated his desire to come over the country and fight Manny Pacquiao for the Filipino boxer’s IBF world superbantamweight crown on June 28 in a blockbuster promotion dubbed “Thrilla in Manila II” to be held tentatively in Luneta Park (National Park).
The 34-year old Cermeno, a native of Miranda, Venezuela, denied reports that he has agreed to fight former IBF world junior lightweight champion Diego “Chico” Corrales in a 10-round non-title fight at Grand Casino Event Center in Gulfport, Mississippi on April 24.
Just a few days ago, Cermeno assured Filipino-Hawaiian boxing agent Leon Panoncillo that he will fight Pacquiao on June 28 and will sign the contract being offered by International promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde by tomorrow.
“There was talk for the Cermeno camp to take a fight against Diego Corrales, but they have told me that they did not sign the contract and would rather confirm and sign a contract with Manny Pacquiao” said Panoncillo in an e-mail.
Cermeno, a lanky 5’9” stylist, snatched the WBA superbantamweight crown by decisioning Puerto Rican legend Wifredo Vasquez on May 13, 1995 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Cermeno captured his second title by stopping Nicaraguan Genaro Rios inside four rounds and crown himself as WBA Featherweight champion on October 3, 1998 in Caracas, Venezuela.
After almost a year, Cermeno lost his title to American Freddie “Li’l Hagler” Norwood by split decision in a rematch held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Cermeno previously lost to Norwood by split verdict for the same WBA belt on April 4, 1998.
Cermeno, who parades a fearsome record of 41-4, 27 KO’s, now reigns as the regional WBA fedelatin superfeatherweight champion after winning by 10th round TKO against American southpaw Shamir Reyes last May, 2002.
Meanwhile, US promoter Murad Muhammad has been making statements that he has scheduled Pacquiao to defend his IBF crown versus undefeated Mexican Emmanuel Lucero either on June 7 beneath the Arturo Gatti versus Micky Ward third rematch or on the undercard of a July 26 battle between Fernando “Ferocious” Vargas and Fitz Vanderpool wherein both fights will be telecast by HBO.
But Nazario seems not excited at the latest prospect of having Pacquiao defend his title in a US-promoted card.
“I really don’t know why it took Murad almost a year to seal a deal for Pacquiao to fight in the United States. And besides, I already gave my word to Mr. Elorde to promote Pacquiao’s next title defense here. Also, the June 7 date will be too early for Manny” revealed Nazario in an interview.
It can be recalled that August of last year, Muhamamad signed Pacquiao to an exclusive seven fight-2 ½ year US promotional contract that will give the Filipino champion $2.65 million in total purse. Muhammad has yet to arrange a single fight for Pacquiao.
Just last night, Elorde and Nazario officially signed the contract for the June 28 title defense of Pacquiao here in Manila.
Elorde is set to leave for the States this afternoon to personally bring the fight contract to the Cermeno camp and finalize the celebrated title fight.
“I want to be personally on top of all the negotiations. That’s why tomorrow afternoon I will fly to the United States and deal directly with the handlers of Cermeno.” Said Elorde.
The June 28 fight is anticipated to be the country’s biggest sporting event in years. The government is also expected to lend full-support to this project after Philippine Senator Robert Barbers recently invoked the government’s responsibility in promoting world boxing championships here in our country.
In his speech as guest speaker of the recently concluded 3rd Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Awards Night, Barbers, chairman of the Senate Games and Amusement Committee, vowed to push the government in providing ample backing in all boxing promotions.
