Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said there is a big chance Philippine ring icon Manny Pacquiao will come to Bacolod City.

Leonardia said that after Pacquiao was declared winner over Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, he invited him (Pacquiao) to the city and reminded him that in Bacolod he is well respected, adored and loved by the people.

Pacquiao, 29,  was crowned the new World Boxing Council super featherweight  champion after he dethroned Marquez last week in a hard fought 12-rounder that ended in a split decision in Mandalay Bay Resort Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo accorded yesterday a heroes welcome to Pacquaio who paid a courtesy on her and first gentleman, Jose Miguel, in Malacañang upon his arrival from Las Vegas.

He was accompanied by his wife Jinkee, former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and members of the Team Pacquiao.

The President will lead the ceremonies during the induction of Pacquiao into the prestigious Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Hall of Fame at the Banquet of Champions Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel tonight.

The General Santos-born Pacquiao, an adopted son of Bacolod, will be the first Elorde Hall of Famer after successfully fulfilling the body’s stringent requirement of being awarded the Boxer of the Year Award for seven years.

Elorde reigned as world junior lightweight champion for seven years, from 1960 to 1967.

Negotiations are now ongoing for Pacquiao to challenge WBC lightweight champion David Diaz at Mandalay Bay in June.

‘PROBLEM’

Leonardia said Pacquiao told him “Mayor you have a problem now since you will be holding up three belts already in the next fight.”

Boxing is scored according to boxing rules and regulations and is based on “every round basis,” he said. It depends on who won more rounds, he added.

Some argued that Marquez threw more punches but that is not the only basis, Leonardia said. He believes the “knock down” was a very big factor in the victory of Pacquiao, he said.

With a left hook, Pacquiao sent Marquez, 34, flat on his back on the third round.

It was a tougher fight compared to Pacquiao’s previous battle against Mexicans Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, Leonardia said. But he noticed that no one booed the decision of the judges, he also said. What was deafening was the cheering of the Filipinos when Pacquiao won, he added.

CLEAR WINNER

“I believe Manny was a clear winner,” Leonardia said, although he admitted that Marquez was no pushover.

Leonardia said Marquez was a good counter puncher and is the third among the top 10 best boxers in the world today. Floyd Mayweather is number one and Pacquiao is second, he said.

INVITATIONS TO MASSKARA

Meanwhile, Leonardia said that during his meeting with the Bacolod Society of America during his trip to the U.S., he gave them an update on Bacolod and invited them to come to the MassKara Festival and they promised to send a delegation.

He also met with Long Beach, California Councilor Dee Andrews, he said. He officially gave his invitation to Mayor Robert Foster for the 70th Charter Anniversary of Bacolod in October, he added.

Leonardia said the city is also planning to join the trade fair in Long Beach during the yearly exposition participated in by hundreds and many local governments from the Philippines every September.

In Las Vegas, he also met with the Kahirup of Nevada and they also promised to send a delegation to the MassKara Festival, he said. He also updated the group on the developments in Bacolod City, he added.

“I hope our continuous link with these people will make them constantly aware of what’s happening in Bacolod and make them more involved,” Leonardia said.

He also said he hopes his visits to these places will ultimately bring positive results for the growth and development of the tourism industry in Bacolod City, he said.

‘NOT A SINGLE CENTAVO’

Leonardia also reiterated that since he was a councilor, vice mayor, and later mayor, he has never spent a single centavo from the government coffers to go abroad.

He challenged those who are spreading misinformation, despite his earlier pronouncements, to scrutinize all his records.

Leonardia said this is just a propaganda ploy maliciously intended to discredit him.*CGS

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