A colleague in the House of Representatives has urged Manny Pacquiao to stage “at least one patriotic fight” in Manila before he retires from boxing, if only to spotlight the Philippines as a global tourist destination, retirement haven and investment hub.
“We would like to believe that professional boxing is not just about money. That it is also about the sport. And in this case, it is also about Manny giving his country a much-needed lift,” said LPG-MA Rep. Arnel Ty, a member of the House committee on sports and youth development.
“While money is an important issue, it need not be the sole or predominant factor to be considered all the time in deciding as to where to stage a fight,” said Ty, a long-time sports patron, especially of cycling.
Ty was responding to promoter Bob Arum’s remarks that “there is zero chance” that Pacquiao would hold any fight in his home country, owing to the inability of Filipinos to pay for high-priced gate tickets.
Arum also said moneyed foreign fans who might want to watch the fight would also be discouraged by the extended trip to Manila.
“I don’t think Manny himself is personally worried at this stage in his boxing career about making more money. I believe Manny the flag-waver is personally willing to hold a fight here. It is his promoters, who are driven only by financial rewards, who don’t want a fight here,” Ty said.
“Mr. Arum is underestimating the capacity of Filipinos to go out of their way to pay for expensive tickets just to see their idol fight. We Filipinos can be very passionate fans,” he said.
The lawmaker also said many non-Filipino Asian fans would likely travel to Manila just to watch Pacquiao fight, if ever he decides to hold one here.
Ty likewise said the Philippines has more than enough large corporations that would be willing to help sponsor Pacquiao’s bout.
“Apart from this, our Department of Tourism will surely spend some of its promotional budget to help draw in foreign visitors who might be interested in watching the fight,” he said.
Higher pay-per-view TV service revenues, due to the inability of some US-based fans to watch the fight in person, could also compensate for any potential slump in gate receipts, according to Ty. /PR