By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Millions of Filipinos may get a chance to see their national treasure and ring idol in action in Manila should plans to stage a blockbuster fight card in the Philippines push through.

Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today learned that several months ago Manny Pangilinan of PLDT-Smart who  together with Solar Sports  bankrolled the “Yanig sa Taguig” showdown between Pacquiao and Thailand’s Fahsan 3K Battery at “The Fort” on December 11, 2004 was keen on hosting the Pacquiao-Erik Morales rematch but that HBO had balked over the cost of bringing over an entire crew and equipment which was estimated at around $1 million.

However, with Pacquiao now the most exciting and attractive fighter in the HBO fold and indeed around the world, the 27 year old hero of over 80 million Filipinos has some bargaining leverage. Besides, Manila Standard Today learned that the incredibly overwhelming national response to “The Battle” and the extensive television exposure on all the major networks led by ABS-CBN which partnered with Solar Sports in a massive buildup to the fight itself and the No. 1 rating network GMA 7 as well as RPN 9, should have impressed HBO executives.

The husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who has been a longtime and steadfast supporter of Pacquiao has indicated it was time for Pacquiao to fight before his countrymen who have supported him consistently win or lose. Pacquiao himself has indicated in the past that he would love to fight before a hometown crowd further boosting the chances of making a Manila fight a reality.

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach in an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today from the Wild Card Gym at noon yesterday revealed  “we are talking about doing the tune-up fight in Manila actually.” Roach said HBO has now “shown some interest in coming to the Philippines”

Roach mentioned the names of Juan Manuel Marquez who held Pacquiao to a controversial draw despite being dropped three times in the first round in May 2004 as well as Tim Austin who Roach said “is making all the noise”. Roach described Austin as “a good, little boxer” but stressed he would “rather have a fight against (Marco Antonio) Barrera or (Erik) Morales but we’ll see.” In his last fight on November 11 last year Austin scored a third round TKO over Julio Coronell. Austin has a record of 24 KO’s in 27 but suffered an eighth round TKO at the hands of bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez in  a title fight in February 2003.

Roach revealed that excitement hadn’t died down at the Wild Card Gym where Pacquiao trained and visited to thank all those who supported him prior to taking a Philippine Airlines flight for what is expected to be a massive motorcade and hero’s welcome Friday. Its also the site where WBC light flyweight champion Brian Viloria, WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, junior lightweight champion Czar Amonsot, WBO No. 4 and OPBF No.1 super flyweight Z “The Dream” Gorres and WBC No. 2 fltweight Diosdado “PrinceGabi are training for upcoming fights.

Roach indicated that Barrera’s decision to move up to challenge lightweight champion Jesus Chavez on March 25 won’t affect a possible rematch with Pacquiao although if he suffers a bad beating at the hands of Chavez it may make a difference. Roach said that Barrera “can get back down to 130 pounds for  the rematch if he wants. I don’t think it will be a problem because he is not such big a person.”