DGD: You mentioned that those who are agitating to halt the Pacquiao-De La Hoya may find it hard to succeed because "it may be too late now." What did you mean?
AV: A House resolution in the Philippines can not compel a US-based promoter to stop his promotion because the boxing promotion is within the jurisdiction of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) and will be held in the United States not in the Philippines.
DGD: You mean the NSAC wields tremendous power in boxing?
AV: NSAC is regarded as the preeminent state athletic commission in the United States. Along with collecting fees from the sale of tickets, and the sale or lease of radio, television, and motion picture rights, the commission also works with the venues that host events throughout the state. The responsibilities of the commission also include ruling in disciplinary cases, and arbitrating disputes between boxers and managers. Additionally, the commission is charged with the responsibility of promulgating regulations to implement and enforce the state laws governing unarmed combat.
DGD: You said any effort to cancel the Pacquiao-De La Hoya fight "would now be an exercise in futility." Can you elaborate further?
AV: Both Pacquiao and De La Hoya and people behind the promotion have already signed the contracts and tickets for the fight have been already reportedly sold out.. In fact, both boxers are now ready to romp off with the multi-city promotional tour on October 1. Unless Pacquiao and De La Hoya are caught plotting to bomb the Statue of Liberty, there is no valid reason to stop the fight.
DGD: How about the Games and Amusement Board (GAB)? Did Chairman Eric Buhain really categorically state his opposition to the fight?
AV: I have no idea. There was an article written by Mr. Ronnie Nathanielsz where it was mentioned that it was the office of Rep. Rufus Rodriguez that issued the press release after the budget hearing where Buhain had supposedly expressed his intention to cancel Pacquiao's license "so that Pacquiao will have a legitimate reason to walk away." In fairness to Chairman Buhain, he should be asked to clarify his stand on the furor. He may have a valid concern for Manny Pacquiao.
DGD: Can the GAB stop the fight?
AV: I doubt. Our friend Daniel Sumagaysay, in a separate sports forum, had even suggested to the GAB to support Manny Pacquiao in his historic fight against Oscar De La Hoya. I think they will also root for Pacquiao.
DGD: As a sports journalist, do you believe that the Pacquiao-De La Hoya fight is a mismatched owing to the disparity in size, height, reach and weight between the two boxers?
AV: Let's put it this way: Why don't we give Manny Pacquiao the benefit of the doubt? Since this is the first time in the history of boxing that a world lightweight champion and No. 1 boxer in the world pound-for-pound will face a junior middleweight campaigner in the welterweight (147 lbs) division, we should let the fight happen and wait for its result. Even flyweight Pancho Villa fought (and lost to) Jimmy McLarnin who became a world welterweight champion.
