The Wutz Up in the Philippines!

Injured David Beckham is still the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer while Toronto midfielder Julian de Guzman is fourth on the list.

Beckham, who hasn’t played this season for the Los Angeles Galaxy because of a torn Achilles tendon, again tops the league at US$6.5 million in guaranteed compensation this year, according to the list released Monday by the MLS Players Union.

Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan is second at $2.13 million, followed by New York Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel at $1.92 million, de Guzman at $1.72 million and Seattle midfielder Freddie Lungberg at $1.31 million.

In addition to Donovan, other U.S. World Cup team players listed include the Galaxy’s Edson Buddle ($188,448), Chivas USA’s Jonathan Bornstein ($100,000) and Real Salt Lake’s Robbie Findley ($87,316).

MANILA, Philippines – It seems like another boxing champion is setting his sights on challenging pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, just like Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito and Erik Morales.

World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Andre Berto, who successfully defended his title on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) against Puerto Rican Carlos Quintana, said Pacquiao has not faced a boxer like him.

“It would be a great showdown because he (Pacquiao) has never had to deal with my type of speed and power combined,” Berto said in an Examiner.com article by Vivek Wallace.

“Some of his opponents had one or the other, but you could make an argument that I’d be the first with that kind of mix,” the Haitian American added.

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MANILA, Philippines—Francisco “Django” Bustamante upstaged pool partner Efren “Bata” Reyes, 9-7, in an all-Filipino finals to put away his second Japan 9-Ball Open championship in Tokyo on Sunday.

But it was a victory the former world No. 1 Bustamante admittedly will not cherish, not one against a close buddy, Puyat Sports teammate and co-winner of unprecedented two World Cup of Pool doubles titles.

Bustamante, who beat compatriot Jeffrey de Luna in the semifinals to earn the right to face his legendary kumpadre in the race-to-9 finals, pocketed the champion’s purse of 1.5 million yen (about P755,000).

Reyes downed Japanese veteran Toru Kuribayashi in the final four. He settled for 500,000 yen.

Bustamante also won the 2002 edition of the tournament, which drew about 400 of the world’s finest cue masters this time.

“It’s always hard to play against Pareng Efren anywhere,” said Bustamante in Filipino. “We don’t cherish matches like the (Japan Open) finals because we always compete together overseas.”

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Manny Pacquiao (left) holds a cake while President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (right) gestures during his courtesy call in Malacañang shortly after he arrived from the US where he defended his WBO crown against Ghanaian Joshua Clottey last March 13.

MANILA, Philippines—Barring an irresistible offer from the camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr., the boxing world may have seen the last of its best pound-for-pound fighter.

Manny Pacquiao dimmed the luster of his homecoming Monday by saying that he was seriously thinking of hanging up his gloves.

“It’s OK for me to retire. No problem with me … I’ve been in boxing for so long. Since I was 12 years old, I have been fighting in the ring [and] now I’m already 31 years old,” Pacquiao said in Filipino during a press briefing in Malacañang a few hours after he arrived from the United States.

He said his mother, the popular Aling Dionisia, had been begging him to quit boxing, mainly to spare his body from further punishment.

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After Clottey, Pacquiao fans want Mayweather next

ARLINGTON, TEXAS—Before one of the largest indoor crowds in modern US ring history, Manny Pacquiao Sunday dominated a strangely gun-shy Joshua Clottey, outpunching him from bell to bell, to retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.
The ease with which Pacquiao outclassed Clottey over 12 rounds—at times, the Filipino looked as if he were simply working up a sweat in a sparring session—left many fans and experts hankering for a once-in-a-lifetime fight between him and the undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“We are ready to fight him (Mayweather) any time,” The New York Times quoted Pacquiao as saying. “I don’t think he’s ready to fight.”

“I want that fight, the world wants that fight, but it’s up to him,” Pacquiao said after the one-sided match on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila).

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Due to brownout threats, power generators will gain prominence in the country as the Filipino boxing champ Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao steps into the ring to face Joshua Clottey in the United States this Sunday (Manila time).

A report on dzBB radio on Friday said many local governments, including those in Metro Manila, are setting up generators in preparation for possible brownouts.

In Manila’s Tondo district, the report said the city government arranged for generators to be installed at the Tondo Sports Complex where the bout will be shown for free.

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DALLAS, TEXAS—Filipino ring king Manny Pacquiao said his lightning fast speed would be enough to nullify Joshua Clottey’s size advantage when the two meet here in Texas on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

“My quickness will be the key, my speed,” the seven-time world champion told Reuters as he prepared for a public workout in front of a throng of fans.

However, the WBO welterweight champion is not taking his Ghanaian opponent lightly.

“You cannot underestimate Joshua Clottey,” he said. “He’s a good fighter, and he’s bigger than me, and I have to be very focused in the fight.”

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HOLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao turned on the heat inside the gym Saturday as the temperature dropped outside.

He sparred for six rounds against Abdulla Amidu and Dave Rodela. He worked so hard. He moved so well. He looked sharp.

Trainer Freddie Roach was so impressed he shortened Joshua Clottey’s lifespan on the ring by a couple more rounds as the March 13 fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas neared.

A month ago, Roach said he’d be happy if Pacquiao wins by decision. Then last Thursday, he said Pacquiao should knock out Cottey inside nine rounds, but he’d be happier if the fight ends right in the opening round.

Thursday, he said Clottey should be gone in six or seven rounds.

“It will not go the distance,” he repeated.

“He’s (Clottey) gonna last (only) six or seven rounds. He’s going to be overwhelmed with the punches. He’s never been attacked like this before,” said Roach after they raised the total number of sparring to 138 rounds.

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Alaska out to prove history; SMB seeks 3-1 lead

MANILA, Philippines—Alaska tries to put Ginebra to the sword and book a return ticket to the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup finals in Game 4 of their best-of-seven semifinal series Wednesday night at the Big Dome.

The Aces, losing finalists to Talk ‘N Text last year, are in total command of the series, 3-0, but the Gin Kings exposed chinks in Alaska’s armor in Game 3 when they nearly overcame a 23-point deficit in the final quarter before bowing, 91-88.

Gametime is 7:30 p.m. with Alaska coach Tim Cone still wary of a Ginebra fightback despite the fact that no team in league history had won a series after going 0-3 down.

“We know we can’t let our guard down, certainly not against a team like Ginebra,” said Cone.

“It will be reinforced to us by that comeback and hopefully that will get us ready for Game 4.”

San Miguel shoots for a 3-1 lead in its own series with Purefoods at 5 p.m.

The Beermen broke the 1-1 tie Sunday night with an 88-76 win.

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MANILA, Philippines - Not even Freddie Roach’s statement that he sees the fight going the distance could keep the fight odds from sky-rocketing in favor of Manny Pacquiao.

The other day, the four-time Trainer of the Year told fightfan.com that he’s not looking for a knockout. Instead, he said he sees a 12-round battle with Joshua Clottey.

But no one seemed to listen as oddsmakers for the March 13 showdown at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas remained convinced it’s going to be one-sided.

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