Pacquiao fight on

By PARKER TAMBUA
EIGHT-TIME world champion Manny ‘Pac Man’ Pacquiao has accepted the challenge to face Australian veteran and former middleweight champion Anthony ‘The Man’ Mundine in an exhibition bout which is set to be hosted in Port Moresby in June.
Papua New Guinea Professional Boxing Control Board chairman Bernard Fong confirmed that the Filipino considered an all-time great in the sport and the former National Rugby League (NRL) star were expected to sign a contract to fight in Brisbane in February.
The exhibition bout has been made possible in part by local promotional outfit, Oceania Fight Promotions, in collaboration with the PNG Sports Foundation and the promoters of both fighters.
Fong said the bout would not only be a major event in the country and receive global coverage and attention given Pacquiao’s stature in the sport and popularity.
“It was thrown around the possibility of Mundine fighting Pacquiao, this is a world event,” Fong said in a media conference last week.
“Everybody knows Pacquiao, eight-time world champion, that’s eight different divisions, and he has accepted. This fight is in June, subject to the contract signing next month in Brisbane.
“All expenses will be paid by the promoter, will have to sign the contract with Pacquiao in the Philippines. Once that is signed, it will be sealed. The eyes of world will be here, especially the media. “His coming up here is an exhibition bout and to help promote the code. Pacquiao has confirmed, subject to the contract signing.”
According to OFP, the historical exhibition bout would be staged at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
Fong said local organisers would work with organisations from Australia to stage the event.
OFP managing director Maryanne Millie said her promotional firm would work to ensure the event was a world class show.
Mundine’s promoter Peter Maniatis said has been in talks with Manny Pacquiao advisor Sean Gibbons to lock the bout in July in Papau New Guinea.
“We would like to thank the Papau New Guinea government for showing support to a big event which has been compared to the landmark bout Thriller in Manila Ali vs Frazier and will bring in people from all over the world to promote Papau New Guinea tourism after Covid-19,” said Maniatis after an OFP event in Port Moresby last month.
Meanwhile, PNGSF chief executive Albert Veratau said his organisation would support OFP in delivering the showpiece international boxing event.