It was a controversy-laden-Sunday at MGM’s Grand in Las Vegas where boxing followers awaited the second coming of Oscar de la Hoya in a failing bid to keep his World Boxing Council light-middleweight crown against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The crowd that trooped to the site and a quarter billion others who saw it on tv and it’s ancillary outlets are still divided on how the fight was judged with a large segment crying foul over the assailed verdict.

Oscar’s controversial loss to Floyd still buzzes the rounds after establishing a new pay per view record where a total of 2.15 million households shelled $54.95 garnering a whopping 120 million U.S. dollars which topped the 1.99 million buys in the second Mike Tyson/Evander Holyfield ‘bite fight.’

The capacity throng that saw it and other tv viewers, now awaits a sequel this time starring Manny Pacquiao against an earlier victim Marco Antonio Barrera.

Manny’s promoter Bob Arum is in town observing his ward’s run for a congressional seat in the first district of South Cotabato.

An announcement from Bob on Manny’s next fight after the elections is likely. This, after the kinks are ironed out in a settlement of his contract dispute with Oscar.

An out of court settlement is in the offing due to the prohibitive cost of litigation pending in two courts.

Still euphoric from his wins over Eric Morales and Jorge Solis, the GenSan Marvel is in a new role as challenger to the scion of a clan that has controlled the first district of South Cotabato for the past three decades.

Manny is relaxed and easy-going while making his daily rounds, pressing the flesh and making sure his votes will be counted to ensure his election as the first ever boxing idol to win a congressional seat.

This is a match-up of a sports champion and an undefeated pollitician who are locked in a battle that’s eyed in most of the world’s boxing capitals.

Manny is touted to deliver the goods in this electoral exercise to pave the way for his exit from the ring.

Poll observers are saying that Manny can beat his rival owing to the support from voters who think he can help his district regain its political footing.

He has to beat Darlene Antonino Custodio who’s determined as well to keep her post.

This is a confrontation Pacman realized as quite extra-ordinary, one he did’nt fully comprehend until he was deep into it– deadlier and dirtier than his previous battles.

He’s looking forward to a peaceful balloting, one he now covets since accepting the call of a befuddling game if you can call it such.

And if his political hunches proves him right, why, we’ll have the first boxing icon elected to the hollowed halls of congress.

It’s been easy to lose track of Pacquiao’s plans since he has acquired a new sense of belonging in an area alien to his haunts.

But given his credentials as a fine boxer coupled with his compelling appeal as a fighter, no one should be surprised if he emerges victorious.