The filipino Manny Pacquiao, considered the best pound for pound fighter in the world, will fight for something more than just his WBO Welterweight title.

“Pac Man, as they call him, will also fight for the for the World Boxing Organization’s most prestigious gold, diamond, ruby, and esmerald ring that is given to their so called “Super Champions”.

Even though Pacquiao’s purse for this fight could allow him to cover the cost of hundreds of these rings, the added value the ring will have is that it will be given by the WBO in a ceremony held in the Philippines.

According to WBO President, Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, the ring will cost in between $13 and $20 thousand.

“When Oscar de la Hoya received his ring, its cost us close to $8 thousand. The price is not what matters but what its represents, Valcarcel explained, who is currently on his way to Las Vegas to witness the fight at the MGM Grand Arena. The WBO gives these rings commemorating a “Super Champion” on making five consecutive successful title defenses. With Pacquiao it will be an exception.

The Filipino won the WBO title in 2009 by defeating Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto by TKO in the twelth round. Pacquiao successfully defended his title Joshua Clottey and Shane Mosely. Pacquiao fight against Antonio Margarito was for the vacant WBC Jr. Middleweight title.

Against Marquez, his third fight with the Mexican, will be his third official defense of his WBO Welterweight title.

Marquez, a former WBO Featherweight and current WBO Lightweight champion, already has his ring.

“If Pacquiao wins this fight, we will prepare something very special for him; probably something bigger than what we prepared for De la Hoya.

We are talking about possibly the best pound for pound fighter of all times; with much respect towards Sugar Ray Robinson. But he must first win Saturday’s fight in order to obtain this ring that, more than just having monetary value, its significance is very important. Pacquiao’s ring would be more modern; it has more precious stones.

In Puerto Rico, boxers like Juan Manuel Lopez, Alex “El Nene” Sanchez, and Ivan Calderon are some of the fighters of Latin America that posses this ring given to Super Champions. Joe Calzaghe, Naseem Hamed, Marco Antonio Barrera, Johnny Tapia, Wladimir Klitschko and Arthur Gregorian are also some of the fighters to have obtained this prestigious ring.

“Pacquiao ring would be the most expensive one at the moment. We have made various modifications to the regular model which sum up to around $3 and $5 thousand. Pacquiao is a great champion and we hope that someday he may visit the island (Puerto Rico)

Article by:  Carlos Narváez Rosario, EL VOCERO  November 8, 2011

Manny Pacquiao is an eight-division world champion, the first boxer in history to win ten world titles in eight different weight divisions. He is also the first boxer in history to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named “Fighter of the Decade” for the 2000’s by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He is also a three-time The Ring “Fighter of the Year”, winning the award in 2006, 2008, and 2009. At the age of 14, Pacquiao moved to Manila and lived, for a time, on the streets. He started boxing and made the Philippine national amateur boxing team where his room and board were paid for by the government. Pacquiao reportedly had an amateur record of 64 fights (60–4). After two years, Pacquiao made his pro boxing debut at the age of 16. At the age of 32, Manny is a 16-year pro – he made his debut at 16. Boxing’s biggest and brightest star, he has been fighting at the top levels of competition and given some of the most

sensational performances in the ring in recent years. He has won world titles at 112, 122, 126, 130, 135, 140, 147, and 154 pounds. Not only has Manny won against bigger men, but he has defeated the very best of each division such as: Marco Anonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Antonio Margarito. Manny is not only recognized by most observers as the best fighter at any weight in the ring today – the best “Pound for Pound” – but is also considered one of the sport’s all-time greats. He is the national hero of his native Philippines – the entire country of over 96 million people comes to a virtual standstill to watch whenever he fights. He was elected last year as a Congressman in the Sarangani province in the Philippines. He is also a recording artist and an action-movie star in his home country.

REGIONAL TITLES:

1. OPBF Flyweight Champion

2. WBC International Jr. Featherweight Champion

3. WBC International Jr. Lightweight Champion

WORLD TITLES:

1. WBC Flyweight Champion

2. IBF Jr. Featherweight Champion

3. The Ring Featherweight World Champion

4. WBC Jr. Lightweight Champion

5. The Ring Jr. Lightweight Champion

6. WBC Lightweight Champion

7. The Ring Junior Welterweight World Champion

8. WBO Welterweight Champion

9. WBC Jr. Middleweight Champion