Pacquiao's next fight: Congress in 2010

Hints at Mayweather fight

MANILA - Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao is bracing for two big battles in 2010: a congressional bid and a possible fight against former pound-for-pound champ Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao told ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda on Tuesday that he is bent on running for a seat in Congress in 2010.

"Tuloy iyong pagtakbo ko next year (My plan to run in the elections next year is still on)," Pacquiao said.

The boxing great, however, did not reveal if he will run for congressman of South Cotabato, where he lost in 2007 to Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

There were reports that Pacquiao is planning to run for congressman in Sarangani province. He is also reportedly being courted to run in Quezon City.

Pacquiao had just snatched the WBO welterweight from Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, whom he beat after 12 rounds in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday.

The title was the Filipino boxer's seventh. He also holds six titles in six different weight divisions.

Pacquiao is scheduled to return to the Philippines on Friday. He said he will stay for a while in Manila before returning to his home in General Santos City.

The boxer said he would take a vacation until early next year before entering into another fight deal, possibly with the camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Asked to pick between Juan Manuel Marquez and Mayweather Jr., he said he would prefer to fight the still undefeated Mayweather.

"I don't think na may manonood pa sa laban kay Marquez. Si Marquez ay tinalo na siya ni Floyd. Siguro bahala na si Bob Arum (I don't think boxing fans will be watching another a fight with Marquez. Marquez got beat by Floyd. I think I would have to leave it to Bob Arum)," Pacquiao said, hinting his desire to face Mayweather in his next fight.

Mayweather came back from retirement just hours before Pacquiao knocked down Mayweather's former opponent, Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton.

There were negotiations for a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight but the talks broke down.

Mayweather instead entered into a fight deal with the camp of Marquez while Pacquiao sealed the prize fight with Cotto.

Pacquiao prepares self for long grind vs Cotto

MANILA -- Manny Pacquiao is now making the most of his free time with his family before he begins the long grind in preparation for his fight against Miguel Cotto.

The top pound-for-pound fighter said he is very much excited to go back to the gym and start training for his upcoming fight with the reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight champion from Puerto Rico.

“Tinanggap ko na ang alok at hamon upang labanan ang dambuhalang si Miguel Angel Cotto sa Nobyembre 14, sa MGM Grand Arena sa Las Vegas at excited na ako upang simulan ang paghahanda,” said Pacquiao in his Philboxing.com column “Kumbinasyon”.

That’s why Pacquiao is making the most out of his free time by spending it with his family.

“Medyo mahaba pa rin ang nalalabing panahon para umpisahan ang training, kaya naman gugugulin ko ang mga oras na ito upang makasama ang aking pamilya,” he said.

Pacquiao’s coach, Freddie Roach, earlier said he is looking for another eight-week training camp to fully prepare his ward against the bigger Cotto.

The Filipino boxing star has agreed to fight at 145 pounds against the Puerto Rican champ.

Manny thanks ESPN Pacquiao, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to sports TV network ESPN and to all his fans for selecting him as the Best Fighter in the 2009 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) awards.

“Lubos akong nagpapasalamat dahil napili akong Best Fighter at naungusan ko ang mga malalaking superstar ng MMA gaya nila Anderson Silva at Lyoto Machida at ang kapwa boksingero na si Sugar Shane Mosley,” he said.

He considered the award as an honor because he said it meant that his performance inside the ring was highly appreciated.

Pacquiao also apologized for failing to attend the awarding ceremony because of his hectic schedule.

“Humihingi ako ng paumanhin dahil hindi ako nakaabot sa parangal at hindi ko natanggap ang award dahil na rin sa aking busy na schedule,” said the boxer.