Pacquiao

[maitreya]

Pacquiao gives up lightweight title

By Nick Giongco

On the eve of his departure for England for a promotional tour en route to training camp in Los Angeles, Manny Pacquiao gave up his World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight (135 lbs) crown as the Filipino pound-for-pound king stated his desire to make the super-lightweight (140 lbs) division as his temporary home.


In a letter sent to WBC president Jose Sulaiman in Mexico City, Pacquiao expressed his gratitude for being given the chance to fight under the WBC banner when he was still the flyweight (112 lbs) titleholder from Dec. 1998 to Sept. 1999, super-feather ruler in early-2008 and its lightweight supreme beginning June 2008 until yesterday.

"I take great pride and honor in representing the WBC as its lightweight champion at the present time. Your institution has opened the door for my success in boxing and I am grateful for the prestige your organization has given me over the years as one of its champions in many different weight categories," wrote Pacquiao.

"I have had discussion with my team as to the direction of my career since my fight at 147 lbs with Oscar De La Hoya, on December 6, 2008. After careful consideration and in the advancement of my professional boxing career, I intend at this time to campaign in the super lightweight division with a fight against Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009."

Pacquiao is scheduled to fly to London at 6 a.m. via Cathay Pacific in time for his arrival in the British capital on Friday for some filming of his visits to major landmarks.

On Saturday, he will travel to Manchester with Top Rank big boss Bob Arum for a huge outdoor event there with Hatton in attendance, back in London to meet with Filipinos at the Philippine Embassy and try to hear Sunday Mass as well.

On Monday, Pacquiao and Hatton will meet again for a press conference before he heads back to the States to kick off his training under Freddie Roach.

Yesterday, Pacquiao completed all his shooting requirements aside from fulfilling his appointment at the British Embassy and dropping by the place of former business manager Rod Nazario who the fighter invited to be at ringside for the Hatton fight alongside long-time friends Moy Lainez, Lito Mondejar and Gerry Garcia.

http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT20090226149098.html