Pacquiao will shine brighter
The filipino Manny Pacquiao, considered the best pound for pound fighter in the world, will fight for something more than just his WBO Welterweight title.
“Pac Man, as they call him, will also fight for the for the World Boxing Organization’s most prestigious gold, diamond, ruby, and esmerald ring that is given to their so called “Super Champions”.
Even though Pacquiao’s purse for this fight could allow him to cover the cost of hundreds of these rings, the added value the ring will have is that it will be given by the WBO in a ceremony held in the Philippines.
According to WBO President, Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, the ring will cost in between $13 and $20 thousand.
“When Oscar de la Hoya received his ring, its cost us close to $8 thousand. The price is not what matters but what its represents, Valcarcel explained, who is currently on his way to Las Vegas to witness the fight at the MGM Grand Arena. The WBO gives these rings commemorating a “Super Champion” on making five consecutive successful title defenses. With Pacquiao it will be an exception.
The Filipino won the WBO title in 2009 by defeating Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto by TKO in the twelth round. Pacquiao successfully defended his title Joshua Clottey and Shane Mosely. Pacquiao fight against Antonio Margarito was for the vacant WBC Jr. Middleweight title.
Against Marquez, his third fight with the Mexican, will be his third official defense of his WBO Welterweight title.
Marquez, a former WBO Featherweight and current WBO Lightweight champion, already has his ring.
“If Pacquiao wins this fight, we will prepare something very special for him; probably something bigger than what we prepared for De la Hoya.
We are talking about possibly the best pound for pound fighter of all times; with much respect towards Sugar Ray Robinson. But he must first win Saturday’s fight in order to obtain this ring that, more than just having monetary value, its significance is very important. Pacquiao’s ring would be more modern; it has more precious stones.
In Puerto Rico, boxers like Juan Manuel Lopez, Alex “El Nene” Sanchez, and Ivan Calderon are some of the fighters of Latin America that posses this ring given to Super Champions. Joe Calzaghe, Naseem Hamed, Marco Antonio Barrera, Johnny Tapia, Wladimir Klitschko and Arthur Gregorian are also some of the fighters to have obtained this prestigious ring.
“Pacquiao ring would be the most expensive one at the moment. We have made various modifications to the regular model which sum up to around $3 and $5 thousand. Pacquiao is a great champion and we hope that someday he may visit the island (Puerto Rico)
Article by: Carlos Narváez Rosario, EL VOCERO November 8, 2011