Pacquiao ready for Mayweather, Hatton or Cotto

Seven-division world champion and Sarangani Province Congressman-elect Manny Pacquiao said he is ready to face anyone in the ring, whether it is Briton Ricky Hatton, American Floyd Mayweather, Jr., or Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao said this upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday morning from his vacation in the United States and Mexico.

“Pwede pa siyang mag-rematch,” Pacquiao said of Hatton before breaking out into laughter.

Hatton, whom Pacquiao knocked out in Round 2 on May 2, 2009, recently suspected that Pacquiao may be using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).

As for Mayweather and Cotto, the Filipino boxing superstar told reporters: “May negosasyon na kaming dalawa ni Mayweather... Pati si Cotto gusto daw ng rematch.”

“Ako naman anytime,” he went on. “Basta ako, wala naman akong pinipiling laban… basta ako okay.”

Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar de la Hoya revealed that the contracts for the much-awaited Pacquiao-Mayweather bout are “very close” to finalization.

Cotto, meantime, is said to be a possible opponent for the Filipino boxing sensation should the Pacquiao-Mayweather talks crumble again.

Pacquiao defeated Cotto last November 14 via a 12th round technical knockout (TKO) to win the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.

The Puerto Rican bounced back on June 5 to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) junior middleweight title by defeating Israeli Yuri Foreman by a 9th round TKO. Pacquiao even watched the bout at ringside at the Yankee Stadium in New York.

Public service

Meanwhile, the Sarangani Province congressman talked about the Fighter of the Year and Fighter of the Decade Awards given to him by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

“‘Di nila basta-basta binibigay ‘yang award na ‘yan. Napakasuwerte ng mg Pilipino at nabigyan tayo ng ganiyan,” he remarked.

He then talked about his new career as congressman.

“Tayo ay magseserbisyo nang totoo. Gagawin ko ang lahat ng makakaya para makapagdala ng biyaya sa aking distrito… taos puso talaga akong tutulong kagaya nung sinabi ko nung kampanya,” he stated. “Simulan natin sa Sarangani.”

He also said that he would help the sports sector win the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal.