By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao has boarded a Philippine Airlines flight for Los Angeles finally, for a scheduled meeting with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and the shooting of a Nike commercial at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym on Saturday. The Gym will be closed for the shoot.
Pacquiao's business manager Eric Pineda and his wife Macy are travelling with Pacquiao along with lawyer Franklin "Jeng" Gacal. Pineda said Pacquiao would leave for Manila on the 26th after meeting with Arum and deciding who to fight next March 15.
We spoke to Pineda prior to their arrival at the airport and could heard Pacquiao's voice clearly in the background. Pineda indicated he was "meeting with some people" but declined giving any further details.
Pineda said no decision has yet been made on whether Pacquiao will go after the WBC lightweight title of David Diaz, a Top Rank fighter or battle Juan Manuel Marquez in a rematch for the WBC super featherweight crown.
Pineda also indicated that Pacquiao wanted Arum to meet him in Los Angeles instead of his having to travel to Las Vegas. At the same time Pineda indicated that Pacquiao's schedule is too tight and he wont be able to watch brother Bobby Pacquiao's fight on Friday in the US but had tickets for the Fernando Vargas-Ricardo Mayorga clash on Saturday.
