Manny Pacquiao should demand to fight in the Philippines

It has been three years since Manny Pacquiao defeated Oscar Larios in Araneta Coliseum, in Manila. A lot has happened in those three years. Manny Pacquiao has become the best fighter in boxing and a brand name that has gone global.

Now, it's time for him to defend his junior welterweight belt and pound-for-pound title in front of his loyal fans in the Philippines. Pacquiao has fought at home before, but has not engaged in a world title fight in the Philippines since 2002.

Pac Man has expressed a desire to fight in October, which creates a window of opportunity for Manny because there is no way Floyd Mayweather Jr. (if he beats Juan Manuel Marquez) will fight JMM in July and then turn around and fight again in October. Odds are, Floyd won't fight in the Philippines anyway.

Every great Filipino champion -- Pancho Villa, Ceferino Garcia, Flash Elorde, Luisito Espinosa -- has defended the strap on their home turf in their prime. The great Jack Dempsey even refereed one of Garcia's title fights in the Philippines. Now it's Pac Man's turn. Can you imagine the job HBO will do profiling Manny in his hometown? Imagine how the atmosphere of the fight will translate on television? Remember how atmosphere was always such a big deal to the TV executives?

Pacquiao also has expressed a desire to run for political office. What says more to his potential voters -- following the lure of money back to Las Vegas, or demanding a fight in the Philippines before his people? -- CASSIDY

Source: http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/boxing/blog/2009/05/manny_pacquiao_should_demand_t.html