Manny Pacquiao Climbing Back Into The Ring With Status As Boxing Megastar At Stake

By Kurt Badenhausen, Forbes Staff

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather have dominated the boxing scene for the past five years, as they sucked up most of the attention and the money in the sport. Their recent fights almost always draw at least one million pay-per-view buyers, and they were the two highest-paid athletes in the world between June 2011 and June 2012, with earnings of $62 million and $85 million, respectively.

Audiences gravitate to their fights because of their charismatic personalities and ring dominance. Mayweather is undefeated in his pro career and Pacquiao recently had a seven-year, 15 fight winning streak.

But everything changed in June, when Pacquiao lost a controversial split decision to Timothy Bradley. Some ringside observers had Bradley winning only one round in the 12-round bout, yet a loss is a loss. The Bradley loss came on the heels of Pacquiao’s November, 2011 decision over Juan Manuel Marquez, where many fight fans thought Marquez was robbed of the win.

Pacquiao has settled on November 10 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for his next bout, according to The Ring. His opponent is still to be determined with the leading contenders being Bradley, Marquez for a fourth time or Miguel Cotto, who lost to Mayweather in May. Pacquiao is in line for another payday in the $25 million range. Yet, all three of the top candidates have the potential to defeat Pacquiao, which could permanently end Pacquiao’s place as a mega superstar in boxing that can draw a massive PPV audience no matter the opponent.

The Pacquiao-Bradley fight drew slightly more than 900,000 PPV buyers, which was the lowest total of Pacquiao’s last four fights. Mayweather continues to draw huge audiences no matter who is in the other corner. His past six fights have averaged 1.4 million PPV buys, which is a threshold only one Pacquiao fight has reached.

Oscar De La Hoya remained a PPV draw at the end of his career despite alternating wins and losses for his final seven bouts, but he required popular foes like Pacquiao and Mayweather to draw significant PPV numbers. The De La Hoya-Mayweather bout remains the best-selling PPV fight ever with 2.4 million buyers.
A loss in November would also severely take away from the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight that sports fans crave. They have been the undisputed best pound-for-pound fighters in recent years. The two fighters and their camps have sparred outside the ring for more than three years over drug testing, the purse split, timing and everything else under the sun. The fight has the potential to generate a record-breaking $250 million in revenue.

There are glimmers of hope for the megafight according to Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, who spoke to the BoxingScene.com on his way back from visiting Pacquiao in the Philippines this week.

Arum was confident that the issue of a revenue split which proved to be one of the stumbling blocks in the past could be resolved. Arum said “I know how to handle that with the Mayweather people and do the best deal possible and then get back to Manny.”
The entry of Mayweather’s close friend and associate Curtis Jackson, popularly known as 50 Cent, into the promotional business, has been a plus according to Arum who told us “he appears to me to be a real businessman with no agenda like some of the other guys so I think we can get a deal done.”

via Arum Eyes Mayweather vs. Pacquiao For April 2013 Date.

The second Arum quote is a dig at Top Rank rival Golden Boy Promotions, founded by De La Hoya, which has worked with Mayweather in recent fights. Arum might be confident he can cut a deal for a Mayweather fight, but he needs Pacquiao to take care of business in November for the bout to be a massively anticipated event that spits out millions for all involved.
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Pacquiao files bill creating pro boxing body

By Paolo Romero
The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - World boxing idol and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao has proposed the creation of a Philippine Boxing Commission (PBC) to provide and implement all necessary welfare incentives and benefits for professional boxers.

In filing House Bill 6409, Pacquiao, said the agency’s main objective is to focus on professional boxing and steer the skills and talents of young and promising boxers in the proper direction.

“Our country has produced world class boxing legends like the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, and recently the likes of Nonito Donaire Jr., Donnie Nietes, Brian Villoria and the Velasco brothers,” Pacquiao said.
“Some boxers go into retirement deprived of any kind of financial assistance or access to medical care. Most often, we hear many of our boxing heroes who had brought honor and prestige to our country retire without pension benefits,” he said.

“Boxers risk life and limb to excel in this sport. Some meet their untimely death during fights due to lack of safety and emergency medical services. It is about time that we give due attention and consideration to this sport and especially to our professional boxing champions,” he added.

The fighting congressman said the measure seeks to provide for a comprehensive health care benefits, alternative livelihood program, a system of life insurance, reliable death benefits, and other benefits for all boxers who competed and won in international boxing events.

Under the bill, all professional boxers shall be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program (PhilHealth) to enable them to receive and avail themselves of an adequate package of personal health services including, but not limited to, in-patient hospital care, out-patient care, emergency and transfer services, and other supplementary health benefits. The cost of premium contribution and monthly contribution shall be shouldered by the agency.

Likewise, the agency shall establish an alternative livelihood training program and referral system for retired or injured international boxing champions.

The bill also provides for lump sum death benefit of P50,000 to cover funeral services and other expenses of a boxer.

Furthermore, a lifetime retirement pension of P15,000 monthly shall be accorded to professional boxers who won in any world title duly sanctioned by recognized international sporting organizations and bodies.

PACQUIAO IN WATER TUBING ADVENTURE IN SARANGANI

MAITUM, Sarangani (August 5, 2012) – Congressman Manny Pacquiao takes the 1.6-kilometer whitewater tubing challenge again Saturday, August 4, this time for a TV show. The world boxing icon had tried the adventure in Pangi River before which is a popular tourism destination among locals and foreigners seeking pure adventure with nature. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Arnelito Ramirez/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Congressman Manny Pacquiao greets his constituents upon his arrival in barangay New La Union Saturday, August 4, for a village consultation, whitewater tubing ride and TV shoot. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Beth N. Ramos/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Pacquiao: Don’t pay anything but help build your house

GLAN, Sarangani (July 31, 2012) – Homeless villagers in barangay Tango cheered wildly as Congressman Manny Pacquiao, who had spent part of his childhood here, announced that beneficiaries of his housing project don’t have to pay anything except that they must help build their own houses.

GLAN, Sarangani (July 31, 2012) - Congressman Manny Pacquiao and Charlito Ayco, Habitat for Humanity CEO, lead the laying of capsule as witnessed by Governor Migs Dominguez and Mayor Victor James Yap during the ground breaking of the congressman’s housing project in partnership with Habitat Tuesday, July 31, in Purok 4, barangay Tango. 195 housing units will be constructed for homeless constituents in the barangay. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

The congressman was introduced as a former resident of Tango, having been schooled at Tango Elementary School and has scores of relatives and close friends in the village, including the barangay captain.

“Your problem to pay P250 a month? You don’t have to pay anymore. Just help build your house here,” Pacquiao told a crowd of housing beneficiaries and residents who waited for him in the drizzling high noon.

His announcement was met by a long, loud cheering and applause by the community of Blaan and Cebuano families.

“Just help Habitat for Humanity in building your own house,” he repeated.

“However when you already own the lot, don’t sell it

When you sell it, where will you live? You will be squatters again,” the congressman reminded them.

“Don’t forget that this housing project, I bought this with my bout with Margarito. In my fight with Margarito, I was hit here,” Pacquaio said jokingly, pointing at his right side.

In November 14, 2010, Pacquiao proved beyond a doubt in his super welterweight championship fight against Antonio Margarito – “that size doesn't matter as much as speed and quickness. And heart,” the USA TODAY reported.

“Pacquiao, 17 pounds lighter than Margarito at the opening bell, had too much of everything for Margarito and won going away at Cowboys Stadium before a raucous crowd of 41,734 and extended his record eight different weight divisions in which he has won world championships. Nobody else has more than six,” USA TODAY added.

“Congressman Pacquiao you have touched 195 lives today, maraming salamat,” said Gov. Migs Dominguez.

The governor also said that in Glan, more than 25 hectares of resettlement sites have been established with Mayor Victor James Yap.

Mayor Yap said the construction of 195 houses would start soon here.

Barangay Captain Edwin Pacaldo said the relocation site would be called Pacman-Tata Yap Village.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Pacaldo disclosed that “our congressman grew up here in our barangay.”

Pacaldo said Pacquiao came back to help homeless constituents own a decent house and lot.

The village chief said Habitat would build 200 houses here. Ten houses were already undergoing construction.

Pacquaio was building two housing projects in Tango. The lot in Purok 1, Tango proper, was worth P1.5 million with a barangay government counterpart of P750,000 and another P750,000 from the congressman. There are 94 beneficiaries in Purok 1.

Pacaldo said that for the housing project that broke ground here, Congressman Pacquiao spent P2 million from his own pocket for the lot. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Serafin Ramos Jr./SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Congressman Manny Pacquiao discusses some points with Governor Migs Dominguez during the short program at the ground breaking ceremony of the housing project of the congressman Tuesday, July 31, in barangay Tango implemented by Habitat for Community. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

USA Today: Federer, Pacquiao, Lebron, Tiger among Esquire's top 50

If you do the math, and Esquire has, Roger Federer is the top athlete in the world.

The magazine has a formula that includes performance (MVP and championships); social media (YouTube and Google hits), money (Google hits for "charity" and listing on Forbes) as well as negatives (Google hits on "scandal") for a list of Who's Who and for some of us a Who's That?

The top 10 on the top 50 list: Federer (tennis), Manny Pacquiao (boxing), LeBron James (basketball), Rafael Nadal (tennis), Tiger Woods (golf), Floyd Mayweather (boxing), Conrad Anker (climbing), Chrissie Wellington (triathlete), Sidney Crosby (hockey) and Trevor Brazile (rodeo).

Pacquiao-Bradley controversy not a criminal matter: Nevada officials

Nevada's state attorney general found nothing illegal or criminal in Manny Pacquiao's controversial split-decision loss to Timothy Bradley in a welterweight title fight last month in Las Vegas, according to a letter made public Tuesday.

Interviews with the referee of the June 9 fight, two Nevada Gaming Control Board officials and state Athletic Commission Director Keith Kizer turned up no evidence of wrongdoing, state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said in the letter to Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum.

Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum, who promoted the fight, sought an inquiry June 11, telling Masto that he hoped it would "show the world that there were no improprieties."

Arum didn't immediately respond Tuesday to requests for comment.

"Displeasure with the subjective decisions of sporting officials is not a sufficient basis for this office to initiate a criminal investigation," Masto's letter said. "There do not appear to be any facts or evidence to indicate that a criminal violation occurred."

Masto aide Jennifer Lopez issued a statement calling the matter closed.

Bradley won 115-113 on two scorecards, while losing by the same margin on the third.

The decision was booed by the ringside crowd June 9 at the MGM Grand arena, drew a video review by the World Boxing Organization, and resulted in a call by Pacquiao for a rematch.

A five-judge panel assembled by the WBO championship committee unanimously favored the Filipino fighter in a review.

The WBO can't overturn the result of the fight.

Nevada AG: Nothing Criminal in Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley bout

AG rules on Pacquiao-Bradley bout

Las Vegas (AP)

The state attorney general in Nevada says she found no illegalities and no criminal wrongdoing in boxer Manny Pacquiao's controversial split-decision loss to Timothy Bradley in a welterweight title fight last month in Las Vegas.

 An aide to Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto on Tuesday called the matter closed.

Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum manages both fighters. He didn't immediately respond to a message.

Bradley won 115-113 on two scorecards, while losing by the same margin on the third.

The decision was booed by the June 9 crowd at the MGM Grand arena, and drew a review by the World Boxing Organization.

Arum said in a June 11 letter calling for an inquiry by Masto that he hoped it would ''show the world that there were no improprieties.''