Whoever photoshopped the picture above is a genius!

I first saw it on Facebook, and afterwards on many internet sites. It depicts Manny Pacquiao as a one-man-demolition team, leaving fallen bodies – boxer’s bodies, wherever he passed.

Eric Morales, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Marco Antonio Barrera and even the great Oscar “Golden Boy” Dela Hoya, were just some of his victims.

Pacquiao with his seven titles in as many weight divisions makes him the undisputed pound-for-pound king. And in all his fights, especially in his latest ones, the Pacman appeared to be invincible, which makes this really non-boxing aficionado wants to ask, “Is Manny Pacquiao for real?”

His recent fights showed Pacquiao in his top form, demolishing every boxer who crossed his path. And each fight would always show a better Pacquiao from his previous match… almost making him appear to be “superhuman.”

And his supposedly latest nemesis, Floyd Mayweather Jr., when he came to his senses, realized this. That is why he cunningly devised ways to wiggle himself out of the contract, lest he tarnish his “undefeated” record.

Mayweather was successful. His accusations that Pacquiao uses steroids was able to sever the contract for their match. An escape act that would put Houdini to shame.

Pacquiao’s boxing supremacy has somewhat earned him immortality. He has brought hope to the Filipino people. Made the country shine out for a good reason. He brought honor and pride to our countrymen.

On Sunday, Pacquiao’s “immortality” will be put on the line as he faces Joshua Clottey on the ring. A boxer who is not afraid of fighting a “non-human” opponent.

The truth is, Pacquiao is as human as you and me. His foray into politics proves that he is no different from the rest of us – gullible at times.

His only difference – his discipline. The thing that was lacking from other Filipino boxing greats who came before him.

And once again on Sunday, even for just a brief moment in history, the whole country – including government officials and politicians alike, on a traffic-free EDSA and zero-crime rate day, will be united to rally in support for the its hero…  the undisputed pound-for-pound king…

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

I don’t know which is creating more buzz lately, the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight or the Pacquiao-Ranillo rumored affair. But let’s just talk about the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, shall we?

In an earlier interview, Manny Pacquiao, when asked about a possible fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.  was quoted to have said that if both of them won their respective fights, then the match is a go.

We all know that Pacquiao defeated Miguel Cotto (and how!) in their match, and earlier, Juan Manuel Marquez lost to the returning Mayweather Jr.

Does this mean that this match is a go?

That would be a very interesting match-up if it is finalized – Mayweather, who was earlier tagged as the pound for pound king, and Pacquiao, who the undisputed pound for pound king at present.

Perhaps, one of the problem that can prevent from this match from happening, as was always the case with other matches – the talk on the match purse.

Mayweather may want to get a bigger share of the money, believing that he is still worth it, and Pacquiao, after very convincing successive victories against Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Cotto, certainly does not deserve less either.

How will the negotiations go, remains to be seen.

Fact is, it would a very interesting match-up, one that  would be watched out for with great anticipation.

Question: Since the Pacquiao-De La Hoya match up was already billed as the Dream Match, how will the Pacquiao-Mayweather match-up billed?

The Battle for Pound-for-pound supremacy? Or simply, the Deciding Match?

Anyway, title would follow later, what’s important is for the match to be sealed.

(and here’s hoping that Pacquiao’s personal life and political career doesn’t get in the way of the match).

I’m sure that by now you know that Manny Pacquiao has won against (now former welterweight champion) Miguel Cotto by technical knock out before the end of the 12th round.

The victory has won for Pacquiao his seventh world title in as many weight division, a feat that no boxer in history has achieved before him.  This proves beyond any doubt that Pacquiao is the undisputed pound-for-pound king!

Well, so much for Pacquiao, I’m sure there are lots of blow-by-blow post about his recent victory, which will do more justice since I wasn’t really able to watch the fight.

As the title of this, what happens to boxers after they are defeated by Pacquiao?

We know Oscar De La Hoya has retired after his humbling loss against the pound-for-pound king. A decision which he actually announced even before their match.

Erik Morales is now also into retirement, after two consecutive losses from Pacman and a swan song delivered to him by David Diaz.

And Ricky Hatton, who after his humiliating defeat from Pacquiao in a division where he was previously undefeated, have also contemplated on retiring his gloves.

But did he?

There isn’t any news about him lately… as far as his boxing career is concerned.

But it looks like he is embarking on a new career -- the Hitman was on WWE Monday Night Raw and fought against pro-wrestler Chavo Guerrero.

Here’s a YouTube video of his WWE appearance. Notice how far he is now from the very fit Hatton who fought against Pacquiao back in May 2009.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqMH3qoW2DI

And now, what would happen to the pound-for-pound king’s latest casualty Miguel Cotto? Will he also retire? Embark on a new career? Or ask for a rematch?

The last one would be interesting… but of course, not until Pacquiao has gone up against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

It’s official! It will be Manny Pacquiao versus Miguel Cotto on November 14 at the MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas.

Pacquiao officially accepted the challenge of Cotto although he is taking his sweet time to be with his family longer. But we know that once he sets his mind on his training, he will be really preparing for the fight.

Incidentally, my friend Fatherlyours launched a contest last month in celebration of his blog being back online.

He asked readers as to who they guess will be Paquiao’s next opponent. At stake were Islander Sandals and EC credits.

Since the official opponent of Pacquiao has been announced, Fatherlyours announced his winner too!

It’s Dinah of To Be, To Be. Tutubi, who won not one but TWO Islander Sandals and a total of 6,000 EC credits courtesy of yours truly and Ceblogger.

To Dinah - Congratulations on winning the contest!

And to Sir Mon, once again, congratulations for having Fatherlyours back online!

I just heard from the news that there’s nothing final yet as to who will be Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent. That means there is still time to join Fatherlyours’ contest!

Yes, Mon of Fatherlyours is having a contest in celebration of getting his blog back online. All you have to do to join is write a post in your blog guessing who will Pacquiao fight next.

That’s it!

Just link to his contest post and write him a comment with a link to your entry.

Prizes:
Islander Sandals of your size, shipped to your place – free of charge*
1,000 EC credits from Tech Talk
1,000 EC credits from The Struggling Blogger dot Com
1,000 EC credits from Money OnLine
1,000 EC credits from Roysville
1,000 EC credits from House Of Puroy

And I believe, Ceblogger also pitched in 1,000 EC credits. That’s a total of 6,000 EC credits at stake!

Restriction on the Islander Sandal

Valid only for those with Philippine addresses. If you are located outside of the country, you may choose to send the prize to somebody who is in living here, and Mon will be glad to send it for you – still free of charge.

Winners will be based on the official announcement of Bob Arum and/or Manny Pacquiao on who will be Pacquiao’s official opponent. The signing of Contract for the fight of both parties signifies the winner of this contest.

If there are more than one blogger who guessed the correct opponent, the winners will be chosen through random.org.

But it doesn’t end there

Another pair of Islander Sandals* will be awarded on the blogger who will make the most creative post for the contest.

*same restriction on the Islander Sandals apply

The EC credits being given by the participating sponsor would be split among the two winners.

So guess Pacquiao’s opponent now and win at Fatherlyours!

Is Manny Pacquiao getting more stubborn? Or is he getting more intelligent and he now recognizes his rights?

Because Pacquiao dumps Solar Sports in favor of ABS-CBN and not without a valid reason.

Pacquiao’s switch from Solar to ABS-CBN isn’t without a glitch, as Solar Entertainment insists that they still have a live contract with Pacquiao’s MP Productions.

Solar is getting ready to take a legal course of action and take Pacquiao to court to enforce their right to air the pound-for-pound boxer’s upcoming fight with Ricky Hatton.

Solar stressed that its contract with Pacquiao is “in full force and in effect until May 6, 2011″ and that it will fight for its rights.

Like I said, Pacquiao’s decision was not without a basis, that is because Solar entertainment has failed, inspite of repeated demands, to fulfill its obligation to pay the undersigned the stipulated fees for the the subject rights.

It was stated in the letter sent by Pacquiao to Solar where he informed them of his decision to rescind his contract with them.

Bottom line? Money!

Remember how this fight with Hatton was dragged and almost didn’t came to be just because of the talks on the split on the purse?

Yet again, here’s another issue on the same bout, with money being an issue.

Boxing really has become more than a fight on the ring and a boxer’s pride.

Sports Illustrated came up with a list of the best pound-for-pound fighters, and guess who’s the no. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the list?

No other than our very own Manny Pacquiao!

SI said that “Pacquiao has been dazzling at whatever weight class he chooses to fight.”

In his fight against Ricky Hatton, a victory will give Pacquiao his fifth world title in different weight classes, including the flyweight, super-bantam, super-feather and lightweight.

On May 2, Pacquiao and Hatton will face each other in MGM Grand for the IBO light-welterweight crown.

Last year saw Pacquiao fighting in three different weight classes – and winning them all! His casualties are Juan Manuel Marquez (130 lbs), David Diaz (135 lbs) and Oscar dela Hoya (147 lbs). Hatton is at 140 lbs.

A win against Hatton will also give Pacquiao a shot against former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr., who SI feels “is just lurking around in anticipation of a Pacquiao victory.”

Incidentally, following Pacman at the list on the no. 2 spot is Mexican counter-puncher Marquez.

This recognition of Sports Illustrated on our Pambansang Kamao puts Pacquiao on the list of the greatest boxers in the world.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

First, the match was said to be in jeopardy, with the main cause of the disagreement being the split on the purse – Team Pacquiao insists on 60-40 or they’ll back out of the match. The Hatton camp on the other hand is keen on a 50-50 split, with a threat of lawsuit should Pacquiao back out of the match.

Then, a newsbreak I saw said that Pacquiao agreed on the 50-50 split, putting an end to the purse dispute. This made me excited that I immediately shouted that the Pacquiao-Hatton match was finally on!

The next day though, another newsbreak from the said website reports that Pacman rejects latest proposal from the Hatton camp. What gives? Should I change my source site?

The latest ultimatum gave Pacquiao the other day up to 6:00PM Philippine time, to sign the contract or else they will look for a match elsewhere. It didn’t mention though about the lawsuit threat.

Deadline passed with the Pacman not signing any contract which effectively puts the talk on negotiotiation to an end.

The next day, major newspapers and broadsheets, websites and blogs reported that the Pacquiao-Hatton is finally called off. And Team Pacquiao is already getting ready of negotiating with retired boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

You think you won’t hear of the Pacquiao-Hatton match anymore.

But guess again.

Latest buzz (again) reports that the Pacquiao-Hatton match is finally on! And this time it’s for real because Manny Pacquiao already signed the contract which was said to be 52-48, in Manny’s favor, along with other conditions on the match which were not yet disclosed.

So now, all the boxing afficionados (and bloggers too) can look forward to the match between Manny “The Pacman” Pacquiao and Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton on May of 2009 to be held in Las Vegas.

All the excitement brought about by the negotiation will definitely translate to a fatter proceeds on the pay-per-view purse.

As early as December 2008, talks of Pacquiao-Hatton match (or Hatton-Pacquiao for the billing conscious) have already been circulating – on the web, prints, radio, television, and yes, especially through the grapevine. Of course it is another much anticipated match for all Filipino as Manny Pacquiao has successfully caught the attention of our countrymen, even non-boxing aficionados like me.

Unfortunately this match might not reach the ring as it will end right at the negotiation table. Team Pacquiao is ready to abandon the negotiation because the camp of Ricky Hatton is going for a 50-50 split of the fight purse, whereas Team Pacquiao is insisting on a 60-40 split.

If Hatton’s camp refused to sign the contract and insist on 50-50 split, Team Pacquiao might just look for another opponent.

But it doesn’t end there. Hatton threatens Pacquiao with legal action if he backs out of the fight. Apparently, Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum already has a verbal agreement with the Hatton’s camp before the end of 2008 that they are going to split the purse 50-50.

Hatton’s camp expects this verbal 50-50 split agreement to be honored.

This isn’t the first glitch in the Hatton-Pacquiao (Pacquiao-Hatton) match. Early on, Hatton’s camp was insisting that the fight take place at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Should everything be ironed-out finally, the fight is scheduled to take place on May 2, 2009 in Las Vegas.

Until then, us spectators will just have to wait.