By DEXTER A. SEE
September 16, 2010, 9:18pm
BAGUIO CITY — The upcoming four-week training in this city of boxing’s pound-for-pound king, Sarangani Representative Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao, is a tourism-booster for the country’s so-called Summer Capital.
In an interview Thursday, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan told the Manila Bulletin that he believes Pacquiao’s return in this city to train for his fight against Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito in Texas on November 13 will attract tourists.
Domogan said Team Pacquiao’s stay in this city is a testament that it is safe to tour the Philippines, particularly this city, following the setback absorbed by the local tourism industry following the Manila hostage-taking last August 23.
Being the Pambansang Kamao and a well-loved boxer, the city mayor claimed wherever Pacquiao spends his training will be an added bonus in the promotion of his training venues, thus, the city government is thankful for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion’s decision to hold the first phase of his training in Baguio for the second time in his illustrious boxing career.
Last year, Team Pacquiao, with American trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning coach Alex Ariza, held a five-week rigid training in the city in preparation for Pacquiao’s showdown with then WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, whom he dethroned.
Domogan disclosed the city government will provide the necessary security preparations for Pacquiao’s upcoming training.
Considering that Cordillerans are also avid fans of the pound for pound king and are peace-loving individuals, the local chief executive assured the Pacquiao camp that they will make sure that he will smoothly conduct his training in the city in the next four weeks.
Source: mb.com.ph
