By Hermie Rivera

That’s Manny Pacquiao’s clear intent in crushing Marco Barrera’s October hunt for redemption at Vegas’ Mandalay Bay resort/casino.

The Filipino idol is itching to repeat his 11th round knockout of the Mexican three-time champ who’s recklessness at the Alamodome in San Antonio almost ruined his livelihood.

Makes one wonder why Barrera would want to risk it all again.

But Barrera is one good fighter who is now doing it right.

The ring-savvy Guadalajaran has once more become attractive to promoters—6 straight wins since his Texas collapse—minus the theft of his WBC jr.lightweight belt he defended against Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand.

Less than four years since that debacle, Barrera aced all of his opponents to become a viable corrival of the Pinoy ring icon.

Now,Marco is into a bold experiment—that of engaging the services of Edwin Valero, a Venezuelan lefty who has iced all of his 22 victims.( Pedicab drivers?)

So far there’s been no hints of distraction that marred Marco’s preparations.

Nothing vexed Manny’s camp either save for a minor ailment which was readily remedied.

We will know soon if this imported sparmate can deliver for the ‘assassin’ who has been ranting he’ll smash the Pacman for avoiding him like the hated tax hound.

Valero must help his new found padrino. Otherwise, Senor Barrera’s worst fear of getting kayoed one more time will happen.

Marco’s toughness is a given. But his ability to extricate himself from a Pacquiao-orchestrated bind remains his chief headache as we move closer to the highly-awaited classic.

OK, there’s a chance for the multi-titled Mex to pull an upset. But he has to negate Manny’s speed else a bad loss will mark the end of Barrera as a world-class fighter..

Not an easy task since Marco is up against a nasty mangler who nearly converted his boxing license into a sales document that permits him to sell pencils in his cozy Guadalajara.

Fight fans generally want to watch action-sated smokers spiced by punches that twist a fighter’s face which their own Moms can’t recognize.

No problem. In this bout, both combatants are capable of providing one-punch knockouts or the multi-blow variety.

There will be more power punches thrown than those executed in their first encounter—making it a compelling theater steeped in high drama.

No title is at stake this time as decreed by the promoters.

The WBC has been imposing it’s International title belt to extract unjustified sanction fees from the involved fighters.

One of the greatest perfidies since the sale of the Brooklyn bridge more than once by con artists in various eras.

By Recah Trinidad

LOS ANGELES — It would be terribly unwise of Marco Antonio Barrera to kill himself preparing for a two-fisted roller coaster in his next fight.

Manny Pacquiao, a marked southpaw, may indeed throw more right hands come Saturday, Oct. 6 in Las Vegas. But if Barrera bothers to put his over-abused nose closer to the video screen, he would discover that the dreaded right hand was already there when Pacquiao ran him over in November 2003.

If in doubt, Barrera could go send one assistant to the Wild Card gym here where there’s a yellowish full newspaper page pasted on the right wall, immediately after the door, detailing the gory presence of the right hand nose-crusher in their first encounter in Texas.

It’s, of course, unclear whether the Pacquiao right shot came in the form of a hook or a jab, but the impact of the blow pitifully distorted Barrera’s handsome profile beyond recognition.

* * *

That said, we take this opportunity to inform Señor Barrera he should start preparing for a Pacquiao hidden weapon.

No, correction. This one that ultimately opened the door to Barrera’s lamentable defeat four years ago is not exactly secret.

But if it should now loom like a mystery, a fleeting midnight blade landing like a lightning bolt, it’s because of the dumb fact Barrera et al had overlooked it.

Instead of Pacquiao’s over-hyped new shot — the right hook, which had at one time been associated with the disloyal Manila Ice — Barrera should come ready to duck the Big Jab.

Whether Barrera likes it or not, he will be standing up before a two-handed upheaval in Pacquiao.

It’s, of course, hard to tell whether that storm could complete the devastation or dissipate ahead, given Pacquiao’s uneven training regimen that saw him bolting perfect Wild Card to keep love fires burning at home.

* * *

Anyway, credit for exposing the hidden Pacquiao weapon goes to John Chavez who, writing for Boxing News, went off the beaten track to give The Jab its rightful place in the Sweet Science:

“While there’s been so much emphasis on Pacquiao’s power punches in recent times, it’s the simplest and subtle things in his arsenal that truly make him special … It’s funny how even at the highest levels in boxing, the simplest punch is still and will always be the most important.”

Touché.

Now, let’s call in the inimitable Hermie Rivera, who bothered to lend us his observation from his love nest in San Jose, in the process confirming how trainer Freddie Roach had also given credit to Pacquiao’s phantom jab:

* * *

“If Manny starts out with his usual dose of non-stop punching, then a shortened evening is in store for Marco who’s in a grind himself sweating his butt off at a Guadalajara gym.

“Midway into their arduous workouts, I still can’t see how Barrera can avenge his knockout by Pacquiao. Unless he has grown a third arm and a leg to boot.

“Buoyed by the expert handling of Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez, the southpaw terror is on track to reassert his dominance of the Mexican three-time champ.

“At best, Barrera will find it discomfiting — at worst difficult — once Pacquiao opens up with his long list of stinging hooks and straights set up by his wicked jabs.

“‘Any fighter leading with the jab can execute the knockout drills polished in the workouts,’” says Freddie.

“You can bet the house Marco would be looking for ways to surprise Manny in their re-acquaintance shindig.

“Manny’s powerful strikes hurt Marco in their first encounter, forcing his handlers to stop it in the 11th round.

“He was staggered repeatedly by solid shots unleashed without let-up by the Filipino crackerjack.

“This time, expect Marco to seek desperate means to eke out an upset over his hard-hitting rival.

“To execute such plan, Barrera must engage Pacquiao early and whack away at every turn to exact maximum damage — else he’ll be in pasture posthaste.

“Ironically, a defeat could revive Marco’s stalled drive to earn a law degree, an avid wish sidetracked by his 11th round collapse at San Antonio’s Alamodome.

“If Barrera gets blown out again, maybe he can seek solace in the successional defense of his future clients. Against Manny — he’s defenseless.

“While Barrera was consistent in winning most of his fights, there’s something vital that he must do but didn’t in their first war.

“He must avoid standing in front of Manny and getting an abundance of heavy jolts sans the obligatory counterpoise. I’m sure Barrera’s handlers know about this fistic gaffe by now.

“Now we are looking at a healthy Pacquiao and this means the Pinoy mangler is all set to repeat his enthralling stoppage of the vengeance-seeking Barrera.”

Some 6 weeks into the celebrated rematch. Manny Pacquiao is outpacing Marco Barrera despite a late start at his new training pad.

The Pacman is at it again, sharpening his skills for the Mexcan ‘assassin’ with intense energy induced by his irripressible corner.

If Manny starts out with his usual dose of non-stop punching, then a shortened evening is in store for the gritty Mex who’s in a grind himself sweating his butt off at a Guadalajara gym.

Midway into their hectic workouts, I still can’t see how Barrera can avenge his first knockout by Pacquiao. Unless he has grown a third arm plus an extra leg to boot.

Buoyed by the expert handling of Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez, the southpaw terror is on track to reassert his dominance of the former three-time champ.

At best, Barrera will find it discomfiting or at worst, difficult once Pacquiao opens up with his combos of stinging hooks and straights set-up by his wicked jabs.

“Any fighter who leads with the jab can execute the knockout drills polished in the workouts,” says Freddie.

That goes for Marco, I would think who’s been looking for ways to surprise Manny in their re-acquaintance shindig at Vegas’ Mandalay resort.

In their initial slugfest, Manny’s powerful strikes hurt Marco thus forcing his handlers to call it a night.He was bounced from a rain of mind-jarring blows in a run-away lift unleashed without let-up by the GenSan crackerjack.

In the October 6 return go, expect Marco to seek desperate means of making things difficult for his hard-hitting corrival.

To execute such plan, Barrera has to engage Pacquiao early and whack away at every turn for maximum damage else he’ll be in pasture posthaste.

Ironically, a defeat could revive Marco’s stalled drive of earning a law degree. An ardent wish sidetracked by his 11th round collapse at San Antonio’s Alamodome.

What the budding barrister confirmed at an Los Angeles presser was retirement if the Filipino ring idol deals him another mind-numbing set back.

All the better if he can put his mind back to his law books.

If Barrera gets blown out by Pacquiao again, perhaps he can seek solace in the successional defense of his future clients.

With Manny–he’s defenseless.

While Barrera was consistent in winning most of his fights, there’s something vital that he must do but did’nt in their first war.

A crucial error he must avoid is to stand in front of Manny and get an abundance of mighty jolts sans the obligatory counterpoise.

I’m sure Barrera’s handlers know about this boner by now.

While Marco scored little success in their first encounter, nothing hair-raising dazed Manny save for a left hook or two.

This is Manny’s first fight since getting clobbered in politics but that loss makes him more dangeous at this time don’t you think?

In the span the Philippine boxing hero has been honing his art at Wakee Salud’s camp, Manny Pacquiao is looking more like the right guy who’s at the right time and place for the vengeance-seeking Marco Antonio Barrera.

Anyone looking for an an enthralling encore?

By Hermie Rivera

These days, we find Manny Pacquiao resting from a failed political bid but come Oct. 6, millions of boxing fans will feast on a sure-fire slugfest with Marco Antonio Barrera.

While Barrera has grown a tad wiser than usual, his rout by Pacquiao at San Antonio’s Alamodome (11TH rd KO) has observers ruling out an upset in the rematch at the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Memories of that meeting, tough one to ignore” says the baby-faced assassin as he gears up for his climb to respectability.

Barrera has started training while Pacquiao has started shooting a film.

With Barrera’s headstart, who do think gets assassinated? The Pacman? Or will lefty Manny go back to his well of powerful deliveries to bomb sillier the transplanted Guadalajaran?

Methinks he will without a doubt.

Jorge Solis, the last Mexican Manny smashed (8th round ko) cautions his compatriot not to stay stationary and allow Manny to get off with his hefty shots. Calls Pacquiao’s speed special, adding that Marco will stay upright for as long as he can sneak in his solid licks. .

Barrera, honored by his selection as Pacquiao’s opponent is not throwing away the privilege of redeeming himself from that Texas fiasco.

It took him almost four years to get the rematch, winning all of his matches since that Lone Star debacle to include the World Boxing Council super-featherweight crown which was stolen on March 15 by Juan Manuel Marquez. Thanks in large measure to the inept-judging by the arbiters abeted by a sight-impaired referee.

It is therefore crucial for Marco to stay unbeaten since another cataclysmal outing will end his colorful career.

It will be a violent contact between two of boxing’s finest with both warriors capable of ending it early once they spot an opening for their blasters.

Their styles excites. A collision of true belters that’s likely to conclude in a knockout.

This means the judges will not figure at all in deciding who wins it. Good.

So then, is it going to be a walk in the park for Manny? “Not so” says Marco’s backers. “There’s no one at the fight scene who can infuse drama and excitement better than our man.”

Indeed, it was dramatic and exciting watching Marco drop to the canvas like an uncontrolled yoyo in his first encounter with the Cotabato marvel.

With Manny’s cool demeanor bordering on savagery when needed, expect an excellent swaps of truculent wallops with our man getting the better of the exchanges.

The country’s pride is not thinking at all of a loss in the rematch.

He views a setback unacceptable while a repeat win will accentuate his popularity that could bolster his chances for another stab at politics.

This is not just about a fight of Manny Pacquiao, our slugging icon who stands to bag “tons of greens” in his return go with Barrera.

It is about what lies ahead for the Philippines’ preeminent unifier–a clear path to consummate stardom.

Awesome!

Manny Pacquiao is the world’s best fighter. He earned that rare feat from America ’s boxing writers, a distinction no Filipino or an Asian has ever achieved— Fighter of the Year honors.

Manny Pacquiao was feted by the Boxing Writers Association of America for outstanding ring achievements in its 82nd accolade since it started giving the prestigeful award.

The well-attended gala event was held at New York’s Copacabana, a fitting tribute to a deserving Dad who together with lovely wife Jinkee recieved the coveted plaque.

This took place place by the way after finding himself beaten by a lady rival for a congressional seat in his home district of Cotabato, Southern Philippines .

When the country’s boxing icon found himself in an odd terrain, battling a two- termer re-electionist, Manny must have wondered why he chose to become a participatory bet in a zone that’s just torrid for his liking.

A risky move that caused him to lose some of his boxing constituents.

Not to worry.

Pacquiao is likely to woo them back once he starts beating the dickens out of those wanting to test his moxie again.

No signs of ill-effects in his try at politics contrary to claims by his maudlin critics.

The GenSan boxing marvel showed no signs of regret once it was established he was trounced in an area foreign to his calling.

Indeed, Manny didn’t suffer what his career-faultfinders call ‘a fever of despair’ brought about by such an unexpected loss.

Admittedly, it was a costly blunder after submitting himself to the dictates of an arena fraught with trickery and deceit.

Now our idol is itching to return to his favored roped-square where he excels– battling the world’s true fighters.

Nothing but fistic woe to the guy he’ll take on right after that caper where he dropped a bundle.

And we’ve got a lot of names to go by.

First, there’s Marco Antonio Barrera who’s been begging for a rematch since his destruction by the Pacman at San Antonio’s Alamodome.

Manny wants the heavy-fisted Marco as the favored candidate in his list of October probables.

Asked why, the Pacman quoted an idol: “When there is no peril in the fight, there is no glory in the triumph.”

Then, there’s the new World Boxing Council super-featherweight boss, Juan Manuel Marquez who’s been aching to have another go with our hitman since that controversial draw in 2004.

I’m still trying to figure out how Marquez stole the crown from Barrera in that March hold-up at the MGM Grand. (Shades of Floyd Mayweather Jr)

Plus, a slew of other contenders wanting to have a slice at Pacquiao’s treasure sack; to include the unbeaten Joan Guzman of the Dominican Republic, Mexican Humberto Soto and Venezuela’s undefeated knockout artist Edwin Valero– who has iced all of his rivals in the featherweight division, or so his backers claim.

Impressive?

Yeah, but other notables tried against our smart punching terror only to wind up deserting Manny’s weight class to escape the killer blows of arguably the hardest hitting ex- politico.

Porbida!

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 widely-assailed verdict.

Be that as it may, de la Heist’s er Oscar’s controversial loss 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 of the high-profile fisticuffs–this time, starring our mighty Manny the Pacman Pacquiao versus his first big time 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 in Las Vegas 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 between a sports champion and an undefeated pollitician who are locked in a battle that’s keenly eyed, not only in General Santos but in most of the world’s boxing capitals.

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

Poll observers are saying that Manny can beat his rival in a fair contest owing to the support from voters who are of the view that he can help his district regain its political footing.

He has to beat Darlene Antonino Custodio who is determined to keep her post at all costs.

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 combats.

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

And if his observation is proven correct, 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 boxer (43-3-2 35 ko’s coupled with his compelling appeal as a fighter par excellence, it should’nt come as a surprise he’ll emerge victorious once more.

After a brief respite from the fight scene, let me resume my watch on our hard-punching Manny Pacquiao coming after his smashing kayo of the ambitious Mexican, Jorge Solis at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Pacquiao’s pre-fight regimen was near perfect what with deputy trainors Justin Fortune, Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri providing commendable training despite the absence of head coach Freddie Roach who eventually called the shots at fightnight resulting in a brutal knockout in the eighth round of the gutsy Mexican from Guadalajara.

Exacting dominant performance from his sparring mates, Manny did hang a tidy loss to the unbeaten Solis– claims to the contrary by his henchmen–notwithstanding.

Quite a convincing display of the Pacman’s fire power that virtually enhanced his political bid in the first congressional district of South Cotabato.

Solis insisted that not all of the attention paid to the relentless punching Pacquiao could deter him from pulling an upset.. But it did’nt pan out the way he wanted it as the boxer/politician made total wreck of whatever fight plans the game Mexican brought to the dance.

Solis is as good every bit of the hype that surrounded him when it was announced that he’s the genuine article– until he came face to face with the Pinoy marvel during his first media encounter at an L.A.gym.

“Solis with his undefeated slate had us a bit perplexed during his training. Turns out he ain’t as advertized,” cried a Pacquiao lieutenant after seeing the latest attempt to unsettle the congressional aspirant of the first district of GenSan,Cotabato.

Manny Pacquiao, was comfortable not only on his assignment with the audacious MexTex but more adjusted and relaxed on his other foe—Darlene Custodio, who’s defending her political hold in the first congressional district that includes General Santos, Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan.

Manny was totally focused on his fight with Jorge and has started sorting out facets of his political strategy for the campaign after prevailing in the Alamo shootout.

“I beat my ring foe decisively and and will administer the same to my political rival” was the Filipino sensation’s parting shot before flying home to his supporters.

Seeing what the gifted slugger can do to what he calls his twin killings, I’ve no doubt he’ll come out unscathed after the political smoke clears.

None of his boast is big deal as they say except that we are talking of a campaigner who is odds on to become one of our country’s biggest names— fistically or politically.

“In the same way the magicians are intrigued by Houdini, golfers look to 9-time golf major winner Ben Hogan as the ultimate golfing genius: the most skillful swinger and shot maker of all time”

“William Benjamin Hogan is what Mozart is to music, Einstein is to science and Muhammad Ali is to boxing.”
—John Andrisani, Golf Digest Editor.

The same could be said of boxing superstar and amateur golfer Oscar de la Hoya on his boxing know how deemed by fighters and afficionados as “pure genius” creating through boxing experience the megawatt Golden Boy Promotions.

What the Ben Hogan Golf Company is to golf Golden Boy Promotions is to boxing—-parallel success stories transcending sports and business.

San Francisco’s City Hall was abuzz as Oscar dela Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr.—boxing’s latest legends– bared the specifics on boxing’s version of swinging and shot making before an appreciative crowd anxious to know more about their May 5 outing at Vegas’ MGM Grand Casino.

First to tee off was the brash Floyd “Pretty Boy” Mayweather, Jr.who thanked his fans for the opportunity and promptly bragged that he’s the world’s best—pound-for-pound.

Conciliatory and respectful (unusual for Floyd), the Pretty Boy enthused, “I’d like to thank Oscar for the chance to beat him up. I am looking forward to doing future business with his Golden Boy Promotions.”

Quite a contrast to their earlier meetings with media when Floyd accused Oscar of throwing his fight against Bernard Hopkins.

Doing his own impression of ‘The Greatest’ ,Floyd Jr. was an absolute thrash talker at the stare down with his saliva-laden yammering on target at the nattily-dressed de la Hoya.

The Golden Boy,who came in a gray wool suit in a red-stripe tie ala Ben Hogan sans the white cap, stood bemused with stares that reminded everyone he is the promoter and the fighter to give him a “beat down”.

The month before, The Golf Channel featured Oscar hitting 250-yard drives and sinking 10 ft putts at the Bob Hope Classic. Playing partners Jesper Parnevik and tournament host and Oscar’s buddy George Lopez helped hold Oscar’s belt as he chipped out of a sloped incline for a save.

By contrast, Floyd looked as if he was set to break dance— rapping and gesturing like a hip hop mogul while counting ‘wads of ‘greenbucks’.

The slugging Golden Boy vs boxing’s Pretty Boy are set to dish out one of the greatest if not the greatest fights of all time—-Old School vs New, Pomp-and-circumstance, Style vs substance….you name it.

The favored de la Hoya is now deep in training with his new cornerman Freddie Roach in his adopted Puerto Rico, where he awaits two of his favored hopefuls, Ray “Boom Boom” Bautista and Alex John ” AJ” Banal in the much-awaited card aptly tagged “The World Awaits.”

The unbeaten Rey,fondly called “Boom Boom” is matched against an equally undefeated Argentine Sergio Miguel Medina in a stellar support of the sold out classic.

AJ Banal is being groomed to tangle with Argentina’s IBF international super-flyweight champion — Sergio Santillan.

“Having witnessed how valiant Gerry Penalosa measured up to Daniel Ponce de Leon, I think Ray is ready for the world championship. But first he has to take care of Medina,” boxingman Hermie Rivera declared.

“As for AJ, Oscar saw a world beater and promptly signed him up.” Rivera added.

Tony Aldeguer’s mainstays at his renowned stable are now training at the Wild Card Gym and then onwards to San Juan, PR where ‘trainer of the year’ Roach awaits them for the concluding grind while ‘The World Awaits”.

By Hermie Rivera

Through most of 2006, Manny Pacquiao was in the spotlight, chased by boxing’s top guns for the right to stage his megabuck fights.

A flick of his fingers lines up guys to his mansion for his signature to multi-million dollar fight contracts.

Cutting what he calls the best mileage out of his limited know-how in contract negotiations, Pacquiao opted for Top Rank’s Bob Arum to act as his promoter— much to the consternation of Oscar de la Hoya, an early favorite in the tug of war of two of boxing’s prime movers.

While Arum snagged Manny’s support for now, the Pacman expressed preference for Marco Antonio Barrera in the April title setto, a rematch that went south due to the proximity of Oscar de la Hoya’s ‘Cinco de Mayo encuentro’ with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Too, there was this more compelling HBO March date for the Pacman to face the Mexican ‘Baby-faced Assassin.’

Marco Antonio, the current WBC super featherweight ruler fights for the Golden Boy Promotions. Fact is, he co-promotes his fights with Oscar and so with the rest of the GBP fighters.

Manny’s move to sign up with Bob Arum deprives Oscar’s outfit the opportunity of staging what Barrera fans have been clamoring for; a chance for redemption of their idol since his fall at the hands of the Filipino ring ‘incomparable’ at San Antonio’s Alamodome.

Pshaw! A rare treat for those aching for the rematch capped by an ‘adios’ fight Oscar has penciled against Floyd Jr. on May 5. One of de la Hoya’s treat for Filipino fans as it involves some of our country’s rising stars headed by Ray Boom Boom Bautista, Tony Aldeguer’s unbeaten star.

Pacquiao, last year’s huge boxing free agent is typically unaffected by all the fuss.

The Filipino boxing hero is busy cashing in on the huge outlay Arum has earmarked for our ring idol who, as of this writing, is awaiting Arum’s promised bonanza..

He’ll plunge headlong into training if his meeting with the Mexican champ is salvaged somehow.

A mean feat I say since the rift between Arum and de la Hoya has irretrievably widened what with the announced pairing of Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera in the March 17 championship card at Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas,Nevada.

I wonder how the guys at HBO are taking these mind-boggling developments.

Rumors swirled, speculation and downright misinformation abound as to the route Manny will take even as high-profiled promoters pursued him.

Not even Arum’s repeated claim of an airtight contract with Manny could dissuade other promoters from making a grab of what’s left to take.

Since Manny has no plans of growing heavier and is sticking to his current weight class. the rematch with Barrera remains the only option of Arum to make good his vow of generous commitment to our boxing great– else he is toast.

The other factor vexing Bob is the dearth of talents in his bull pen. Oscar has corraled most if not all of the viable super-featherweight contenders.

So that if one insists on a Barrera/Pacquiao rematch, de la Hoya’s group must be in the mix otherwise there’ll be no meaningful fight for the new year to begin with.

One of Arum’s fighters who is undefeated in 22 fights by knockout is the Venezuelan Edwin Valero.

He is being touted as Pacquiao’s opponent in Macau (courtesy of Steve Wynn) and so with a ringster named Humberto Sotto. The latest entrant to the Macau card is Korea’s InJin Chi.

Manny is not impressed at all.

“Valero’s KO victims” says the GenSan knockout artist are “certified tuktuk drivers of Bangkok.”

So there.