What’s happening in Pacquiao’s camp?

EVERYTHING seems to be going wrong in the Pacquiao-Matthysse fight on July 15.

In the press conference for the bout held in Manila on Wednesday, Oscar De La Hoya cancelled his coming at the last minute.

Isn’t Golden Boy Promotions of De La Hoya, the former poster boy of boxing, a co-promoter of the fight together with Pacquiao’s MP Promotions?

No explanation was given.

No word also on why Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s American promoter for the longest time, got yanked out of the fight. By Pacquiao as the rumor mill insists?

It’s a first that Arum’s out since the Arum-Pacquiao partnership was forged almost 15 years ago.

What’s the buzz? And this is not being petty—not even nitpicking—but during the Manila presscon, why was Matthysse, an Argentinian, in barong tagalog and Pacquiao in coat and tie? Wasn’t that a bit odd? It took a foreigner to proudly embrace our national costume but not our very own Pacquiao, a senator of the republic no less.

By doing that, Pacquiao had terribly missed showing his bit of patriotism—if I may call it that? Nothing personal there, Mr. Senator. In fairness, you looked dapper in that suit which, if it was by Zegna, Zara, Armani or Balenciaga, I wouldn’t be surprised. You’ve got taste, Manny.

But why was Freddie Roach also got bumped off as Pacquiao’s trainer for the Matthysse fight?

It will also mark the first time that Roach, a Hall of Famer, will not be in Pacquiao’s corner in the last 16 years or so. Sad, sad. Roach had issued a teary-eyed statement, mainly ruing the fact that Pacquiao had left him out of the cold.

“I’m hurt that I learned about it (his firing) in the papers,” Roach was quoted as saying.

Pacquiao has said Roach’s firing didn’t “come from me,” adding, “the door is still open for Roach.”

But even before the presscon was held, it’s already all over town that Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s bosom buddy, will replace Roach.

It’s become too worrisome. I pray the brouhaha over the firing of Arum and Roach in the Matthysse fight won’t derail Pacquiao’s comeback fight.

Look, Matthysse, the WBA world welterweight champion, has knocked out 36 of his 39 victims.

Losing only four times, Matthysse, at 35, simply looks dangerous for Pacquiao, who will try to turn back the so-called hands of time as he is turning 40 in eight months.

Scary, to say the least. VIGANCITY, Ilocos Sur --Cordillera wushu fighters prove they are among the fiercest competitors after bagging four gold medals in the ongoing Palarong Pambansa.

Lenie Agapito bagged the first gold medal for CAR in the girls 48 kg division edging Hannah Michelle Eligio of Region 11 while Keanu Reeves Gayaman, namesake of the Hollywood star defeated Alibasherfahad Mohammad, also of Region 11 in the boys 48 kg division.

Asher Rifani earned the third gold with a win against Arnold Horca of Region 8 in the 52 kg division as Ezra Saclag capped the regions quest for gold with a huge win against Shaun Kervin Barretta in the 56 kg division.

Charlene Nagoy salvaged a silver after losing to Ghea Mae Gregorios in the 42 kg female contest.

In the juniors division, Cordillera also secured three silvers and a bronze courtesy of Maricca Hagitan, Dan Ray Buyagan, Jefferson Calingayan and Frenilyn Carantes.

Cordillera continue to hold on to fourth place with 23 gold medals including 17 silver and 20 bronze medals while the National Capital Region remains on top with 6349-31 as of 12:30 noon released by the Department of Education.

Coming in at second is Western Visayas (6) with 37-45-32 while at third is Southern Tagalog (4A) winning 37 gold medals, 34 silvers and 52 bronze as Central Visayas (7) is fifth with 19-15-20.

DepEd assistant sports coordinator Georaloy Palao-ay they are still expecting medals in archery, athletics,boxing, and chess hoping to surpass their medal standing last year of 26 golds, 21 silver and 21 bronze which is good for sixth place finish.

“We hope to surpass it or at least equal it. Other regions have really improved beyond our expectation. We are now facing tough competitions in individual events. We are happy at least with the improvement of our team events, namely in football and futsal,” added Palao-ay. Roderick Osis