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THE Games and Amusement Board is leaving no stone
unturned as the Philippines hosts the prestigious 45th World Boxing
Council Convention this November.
GAB chairman Eric Buhain said
different committees were already formed to ensure the success of
the seven-day event that will be participated in by 180 member
countries.
No less than President Arroyo and
WBC president Jose Sulaiman are attending the convention slated
November 11 to 17.
Buhain also revealed that they
are currently negotiating with Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao
to help promote a world title fight—the main attraction of the
convention—which features a yet to be named boxers.
“We have an ongoing series of
meetings with MP Promotions about the possibility of them promoting
a title fight during the boxing convention. We’re even exploring
the possibility of Manny himself fighting during that event, which
we want to be similar to the “Thrilla in Manila of 1975,” Buhain
added.
The last time the Philippines
hosted the World Boxing Convention was in 1975 and it was
highlighted by the “Thrilla in Manila” featuring world
heavyweight championship between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
“That ‘Thrilla in Manila ’
was 32 years ago and I think it’s about time that we stage the
Part II of that big boxing fight featuring our very own Manny
Pacquiao,” Buhain explained.
 --Emil
Noguera
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