After the fight of the Filipino boxing king with Ghainan challenger Joshua Clottey last Sunday (Mar 14), the rumor on Pacquiao’s retirement in boxing is again set on fire.

This Tuesday (Mar 16) on “The Correspondents,” Manny Pacquiao will set the record straight in an interview with ABS-CBN sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo. Find out as well how the boxing champ’s career started and how he prepared for each of his 56 fights.

In 2007, Pacquiao earned an estimated $20 million or 920 million pesos, while he doubled this amount last year according to Forbes Magazine. In the Pacquiao-Clottey fight, Manny was reported to get as much as $1 million.

Manny is also known to share his fortune to the people in his hometown of General Santos City, showing that he has not forgotten where he came from.

Witness all these and more as Dyan Castillejo unravels the story behind “Pacman’s” successful boxing career and reports from behind-the-scenes of the Pacquiao-Clottey fight this Tuesday (March 16) on “The Correspondents,” right after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN.

WBO welterweight champion and World’s best pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) from the Philippines scored a one-sided twelve round unanimous decision against former IBF champion Joshua Clottey (35-4, 20 KOs) from Ghana in front of a crowd of 50 thousand at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas Saturday night (Sunday noon in Manila).

From round 1 to round 12, Pacman outpunched Clottey as the Ghanian focused more on defense rather than score hits. He survived the 12 rounds but to no advantage.

UNDERCARDS RESULTS:

Humberto Soto def. David Diaz via UD
Alfonso Gomez def. Jose Luis Castillo via stoppage after 5th round
John Duddy def. Michael Medina via Spilt Decision
Arthur Trevino draw Isaac Hidalgo
Rodrigo Garcia def. Calvin Pitts via 2nd round TKO
Robert Marroquin def. Samuel Sanchez via 2nd round KO
Salvador Sanchez def. Jaime Villa via 6th round KO
Eden Sonsona def. Mauricio Pastrana via 8th round TKO
Michael Farenas NC Joe Morales (accidental clash of heads)

Manny Pacquiao changed his mind as to who will sing the Philippine National Anthem in his upcoming bout with Joshua Clottey on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

According to reports, RnB Prince Jay-R is supposed to sing “Lupang Hinirang” in the said bout but he told Philippine Entertainment Portal that Manny picked Charice Pempengco instead.

Fans have been clamoring for the country’s international artists like Charice, Arnel Pineda and Lea Salonga to sing the National Anthem in one of Manny Pacquiao’s bouts and this time it looks like one name in the wish list will be erased.

Charice is currently gearing up for the music video release of her first international carrier single “Pyramid” in the US. It will surely delight her fans around the world knowing that the world’s most talented girl will grace the high-rating boxing match of Pacman.

The Top 10 Credible Endorsers:

• Manny Pacquiao, 47 percent

• Vicki Belo, 34 percent

• Ruffa Gutierrez, 33 percent

• Marian Rivera, 33 percent

• Mel Tiangco, 22 percent

• James Yap, 22 percent

• Melanie Marquez, 21 percent

• Korina Sanchez, 20 percent

• Manny Calayan, 20 percent

• Mike Enriquez, 19 percent

It’s quite intriguing that a number of big names that we always see on tri-media ads are missing in the list. Names like Kris Aquino, Sharon Cuneta, Angel Locsin, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo.

Bottom line: Do you agree or disagree with this list?

via Showbiznest

TOP 10 NEWSMAKERS OF 2009

1. HAYDEN KHO – Earlier this year, Dr. Hayden Kho was the topic of all headlines after his sex videos leaked on the internet. The news lingered as his controversial sex videos with Katrina Halili, Maricar Reyes and a Brazilian model circulated one by one from various porn sites to pirated DVD vendors. His saga continued the whole year round from revocation of his medical license, from getting splashed with water by an ex-cop during the Senate hearing to rumors that he committed suicide. There is no doubt that Hayden is our no. 1 newsmaker of 2009!

2. MANNY PACQUIAO – Our Pambansang Kamao made history after he became the first boxer in world to win 7 world titles in 7 different weight divisions. His winning bouts against Hatton last May and against Cotto last November were sensational. Pacquiao has been included by Time Magazine as one of the world’s most influential people for the year 2009, for his exploits in boxing and his influence among the Filipino people. Pacquiao was also included by Forbes Magazine in its annual Celebrity 100 list for the year 2009. Pacquiao had also won the 2009 ESPY Awards for the Best Fighter category. And to cap a great year for Pacman was the controversy about his alleged love affair with Wapakman co-star Krista Ranillo.

3. FORMER PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO – After the former president succumbed to colon cancer last August 1, 2009, the whole country mourned and other nations commemorated her contribution in democracy. There were even petitions to elevate her as national hero and even a saint. Her son Noynoy was then urged to run for President to continue the “people power” legacy.

4. KATRINA HALILI and MARICAR REYES (tie) – Katrina and Maricar were the two identified women involved in the Hayden Kho Sex Video scandal. The two had different ways in dealing with the controversy. As Katrina was all out to fight Hayden, Vicki Belo and the distributors of the DVD, Maricar chose to be silent and concentrated more on her flourishing showbiz career. Nevertheless, both Katrina and Maricar made various headlines and their names were prominent in the search engine “Google” for the whole year.

5. KORINA SANCHEZ AND MAR ROXAS – Their wedding last October 27, 2009 was dubbed as the marriage of politics and media. Even the tiniest detail of this event has been captured by the press as people are following the political plans of Mar and the transformation of Korina from a fierce broadcaster to a submissive wife.

6. EFREN PEÑAFLORIDA – His winning CNN Hero of the Year was a pleasant gift for the country who just suffered the Ondoy blow. Filipinos around the world celebrated this notable achievement and many were inspired to do advocacy works.

7. CARLO J. CAPARAS – To be or not to be a national artist became a dilemma to this film director whose graphic novels are being adapted on television and movies. Among the national artists awardee this year, Caparas received the most objections from critics. Even former national artist awardees staged a “necrological service” for the death of such honor because of him.

8. BRILLIANTE MENDOZA – He made everyone proud after winning Best Director in the most prestigious international film festival in the world – the Cannes International Film Festival. His work for the film Kinatay earned him accolades in the international film industry most specially when he bested Oscar winners like Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction) and Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility, Brokeback Mountain).

9. JUDY ANN SANTOS AND RYAN AGONCILLO – Their “secret wedding” in San Juan Batangas last April 28 surprised everyone. Media catched up afterwards on the how’s and the why’s in what supposed to be the wedding of the year.

10. WILLIE REVILLAME – This list will not be complete without the controversy-magnet noontime show host. Dubbed as the most powerful local celebrity and perhaps the richest (even richer than Manny Pacquiao?), Willie made it to the headlines once again as expected when he ordered his staff on noontime show Wowowee to remove the video clips of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino’s funeral cortege playing on the screen while he’s hosting his show. He took an indefinite leave after that and returned. There were also speculations about him running for public office but later announced that he won’t pursue the plan for now. The latest incident concerning the Megastar re-sparked the boycott petition against him and there were even rumors that it could lead to ABS-CBN’s drastic move to replace him with Vhong Navarro.

Newest kapuso stars, Bayani Agbayani and Pacmom Mommy Dionisia are starring in a new show on GMA.

Fresh from his contract-signing, Bayani Agbayani will be given an assignment to star in a riot comedy program together with Manny Pacquiao’s mom, Mommy Dionisia.

Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao recently starred in the Star Cinema movie “Ang Tanging Pamilya” together with Ai Ai delas Alas and Joseph Estrada. But since his son is a kapuso star, she decided to be a kapuso herself.

Mommy D, as she is now called, will team up with Bayani Agbayani and his son Manny Pacquiao on the upcoming project which is most likely a comedy program.

GMA Network and Solar Entertainment will continue to air Manny Pacquiao’s future fights on free TV and cable — this includes any future fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. or any other opponent to be faced by the world’s pound for pound king.

The Kapuso Network and Solar Sports have a long-term deal in airing the Pinoy boxing sensation’s fights, and this partnership will continue as the Pacman has signed a new contract with Solar, which gives the latter the rights to broadcast his fights until 2013.

In an exclusive interview with GMA sports correspondent Chino Trinidad, Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng confirmed Pacquiao’s signing of a renewal contract with their company. “A few months ago, (Manny) renewed his contract. So, Solar’s contract with Pacquiao is up to 2013. Hindi lang ito na-publicize,” Tieng said.

Tieng’s announcement comes at the heels of speculation that Pacquiao’s fights may be aired over another channel , after reports on the arrival of Top Rank President Bob Arum in Manila. Arum is in the Philippines to personally talk to Pacquiao regarding his possible bout with Mayweather, Jr.

“I am here to meet with Manny. I wanna see what is possible and what is not possible. But in the end I am confident we can come up with something,” Arum said in an exclusive interview with GMA sports correspondent Chino Trinidad.

With Pacquiao set to run for a congressional seat, Top Rank’s CEO admitted that the boxing superstar has his hands full as of the moment. But the Pacquiao-Mayweather Fight is something that refuses to be sidelined, as clamor for the bout reached unprecedented heights after Pacquiao gave Puerto Rican boxing superstar Miguel Cotto a 12-round beating last November.

“I think it is the fight everyone is talking about. It goes back to the days when Ali fought Frazier for the first time in Madison Square. I want to talk to Manny and will proceed from there,” Arum further intimated.

Should the Pacquiao-Mayweather Fight, which experts have been calling the “Fight of the Century”, push through, viewers will be able to watch it for free on GMA Network and Solar Sports.

“We are tied up with Manny until 2013. Whether against Mayweather or whoever else, Solar will still have the airing rights for the Philippines. With our partnership, we’ll still air the fights on GMA and Solar TV”, said Solar Entertainment COO Peter Chanliong.

Newly-crowned WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao shared a much-applauded kiss with wife Jinkee after singing Born For You in the ongoing Homecoming Victory Party at the SM Mall of Asia.

Right after attending a mass at Quiapo church, a press conference, and a motorcade, GMA throws out a homecoming victory party for Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao, who arrived in Manila together with his whole entourage Friday morning.

Some GMA artists performed prior to Manny’s mini concert titled “Pitong Panalo ni Pacquiao” which is currently being aired on GMA-7. The highlight, of course, was when Manny performed the David Pomeranz song “Born For You” for his wife Jinkee Pacquiao, showing the public that the rumors that their marriage is on the rocks are not true. After the song, Manny kissed his wife on the lips demonstrating that all is well within the Pacquiao family.

Earlier this week, Manny was rumored to be having an affair with sexy starlet Krista Ranillo. When asked by the media about the rumors, Manny just said that his private life is not for the public’s amusement. CLICK HERE for the video)

After the Homecoming Victory Party, Pacman will proceed to Quirino Grandstand where he would be conferred the “Order of Sikatuna” with the Rank of Datu (Katangiang Ginto) by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for his achievement.

Coverage for the fight dubbed, Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto, that will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, will start at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

With GMA Network’s superior signal and reach all over the country, viewers will be able to watch and enjoy the upcoming Pacquiao-Cotto match clearly and for free.

In addition, GMA Network’s Radio Group – Super Radyo DZBB, Brgy. LS-FM and RGMA – has teamed-up exclusively with Solar Sports so that radio listeners can also follow the fight via a live blow-by-blow account over DZBB, LS-FM, and through all Super Radyo, Campus Radio and RGMA stations nationwide.

Prior to D-Day, the Kapuso Network will air the HBO produced special – Pacquiao/Cotto 24/7, that will extensively chronicle the respective training of Pinoy Pride Pacquiao and Puerto Rican bomber Cotto for their November 15 fight in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao/Cotto 24/7 will air on Saturday, 10:50pm.

The special will also serve as the perfect lead-in to Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto – The Primer produced by GMA News at 10am on Sunday, an hour before the much-awaited fight unravels.

Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto is one boxing spectacle of epic proportions, with the question as to who will emerge victorious remains unknown, what with both fighters packing mean punches and impressive credentials tucked under their respective belts.

Boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound king and the reigning Fighter of the Year, Pacquiao, tots with him a 49-3-2, win-loss-draw record, 37 of which came via stoppages. He has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions, the most recent of which was his arresting one-punch, second-round knockout of junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton last May 2.

Cotto’s resume is just as impressive. He has lost only one controversial bout in 34 fights with 27 knockouts. Touted as Puerto Rico’s most exciting fighter, Cotto has held a world title every year since 2004 – the WBO junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the end of 2006. He went on to snatch his second welterweight title last February, after knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden to become the WBO Welterweight champion.

It’s one nail-biting match that will surely keep every Pinoy at the edge of their seats. Don’t miss, Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto, this Saturday, 11a.m. only on GMA Network.

The boxing special, which will air in key cities of the regions (Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Dagupan, Naga, Bacolod, Cagayan De Oro, and General Santos) will give boxing fans an up close and personal look at Manny Pacquiao and Juan Miguel Cotto.

It will air on Saturday, November 14 at 9:30 a.m. on GMA Network.

Punch Out will be hosted by boxing analyst Mike Ochosa and will feature interviews with Pacquiao, trainer Freddie Roach, Gerry Peñalosa, Buboy Fernandez, and boxer Urbano Antillion.

The one hour primer will go beyond the ‘tale of the tape’, as it will tackle each boxer’s individual skills, fighting style, and more.

Who has the edge in this coming bout? Whose fists will reign supreme? Will Pacquiao beat Cotto and become the first boxer to win seven (7) world titles in as many divisions? Or will Cotto land the biggest win of his famed boxing career?

Punch Out will surely increase viewer anticipation before Pacquiao and Cotto meet in the biggest fight of their careers and let theirs fists do the talking.

Our Pacman, Pacquiao’s moniker, has been lined up with other boxing greats like Joe Louis, Max Schmeling, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Frazier, and Muhammad Ali as he appears on the cover of Time Magazine Asia.

Manny Pacquiao is the second non-heavyweight professional boxer to be featured on the cover of the well-respected magazine, and the first Asian boxer at that.

Other boxers who had made it to the magazine’s cover include heavyweights Jack Dempsey, Primo Carnerra, Gene Tunney and the controversial Mike Tyson.

Pacquiao said being featured in the magazine is the “most humbling experience” in his boxing career.

“It is a great honor for me to be the face of my people and let everyone know we are a small but mighty country”, He said.

Pacquiao will attempt to make history in his bout with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto on November 14 in Las Vegas. If he wins the match, he will be the first boxer to ever record seven world titles in seven different weight classes.

For the record, Pacquiao has won titles in the junior welterweight, lightweight, super featherweight, featherweight, super bantamweight and flyweight divisions.

The section is called “Bodies We Want” where top athletes either pose in the buff (with private parts strategically covered) or with minimal clothing. They dubbed the section as “the best bodies in sports.”

Here is Manny Pacquiao’s photo in the “Bodies We Want” section of ESPN Magazine:

Here are some of the Athletes included in the Body Issue:

* Adam Nelson / TRACK & FIELD / SHOT PUT
* Alex Solis / JOCKEY
* Bryan Clay / TRACK & FIELD / DECATHLETE
* Byamba / SUMO
* Carl Edwards / NASCAR
* Casey Hampton / NFL / STEELERS
* Cheryl Haworth / WOMEN’S WEIGHTLIFTER
* Claire Bevilacqua / SURFER
* D.C. United: Chris Pontius, Bryan Namoff, Clyde Simms, Jaime Moreno, Santino Quaranta, Ben Olsen / SOCCER / MLS
* Edmonton Oilers: Sheldon Souray, Ethan Moreau, Andrew Cogliano / NHL
* Gina Carano / MMA
* Ivan Rodriguez / MLB / RANGERS
* Jenn Stuczynski / TRACK & FIELD / POLE VAULT
* Johnny Weir / ICE SKATER
* Ken Schrader / NASCAR
* Kevin Robinson / BMX
* Kristi Leskinen / FREESTYLE SKIER
* Laird Hamilton / SURFER
* LPGA: Sandra Gal, Anna Grzebien, Christina Kim / GOLF
* Malliciah Goodman / COLLEGE FOOTBALL / CLEMSON
* Mark Martin / NASCAR
* Metal Mulisha: Todd Potter, Colin Morrison, Ronnie Faisst, Brian Deegan, Beau Manley, Nixey Danielson / MOTOCROSS
* Michelle Carter / TRACK & FIELD / SHOT PUT
* Natasha Kai / USA SOCCER
* Nelson Cruz / MLB / RANGERS
* Oguchi Onyewu / USA SOCCER
* Patrick Kerney / NFL / SEAHAWKS
* Poker: Daniel Negreanu, Scotty Nguyen, Jennifer Harman, Phil Hellmuth
* Randy Couture / MMA
* Ryan Guettler / BMX
* Ryan Lochte / SWIMMER
* Sarah Reinertsen / TRIATHLETE
* Scott Jurek / ULTRAMARATHONER
* Shane Proctor / BULL RIDER
* Steph Davis / ROCK CLIMBER / BASE JUMPER
* Stephane Robidas / NHL / STARS
* Susan Francia / ROWER
* Torry Holt / NFL / JAGUARS
* USA Softball: Natasha Watley, Cat Osterman, Jessica Mendoza, Lauren Lappin
* Zdeno Chara / NHL / BRUINS

Unfortunately, other big names in the world of sports like Tiger Woods refused to appear in the special issue.

VIDEO LINK: ESPN Magazine Body Issue E:60 The Making Video