FILIPINO boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao may be focusing on nothing regarding his anticipated next fight.

The prizefighter’s American trainer, Freddie Roach, said there is a strong possibility that Pacquiao’s trumpeted non-title bout with Mexican Jorge Solis will not push through.

“I do believe that is a possibility. I believe that it may work out that Manny and Solis will never fight,” said Roach in an interview with the web site Boxing Confidential.

Several dailies and web sites have reported that Pacquiao is slated to face the lanky Solis on April 14 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Although Roach did not elaborate on his doubts about Pacquiao’s next bout, one probable reason is that the Filipino icon’s promotional deal is being contested in an American court.

Established promotional outfits Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) and Top Rank Inc. are currently at loggerheads over the rights to the Filipino boxer.

The problem came about after Pacquiao signed the dotted line with GBP in September of last year.

Pacquiao later affixed his signature on a similar deal with Top Rank immediately after his conquest of Mexican icon Erik Morales last January.

GBP, owned by boxing superstar Oscar de la Hoya, has been reportedly sending out legal threats to any entity that might get involved with any Pacquiao fight under the Top Rank banner.

On the other side of the coin, American promoter Bob Arum could not hide his loathing over rumors contradicting the certainty of the Pacquiao-Solis face-off in April.

In a separate interview with Boxing Confidential, Arum asserts there is “zero truth” to reports about Pacquiao’s April gig in San Antonio, Texas not pushing through.

“The San Antonio show is absolutely on,” Arum said. “We signed a contract with the venue and both Manny and Solis are signed.”

Arum added that tickets will be on sale within the week and that a formal announcement will follow soon.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao—who recently declared he would run for public office—is scheduled to attend a press conference with Education Secretary Jesli Lapus at 1 p.m. today at the Department of Education offices in Pasig City.

The General Santos City native, appointed DepEd Ambassador for the Alternative Learning System (ALS), will appear at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan alongside Lapus and Carolina Guerrero, director of the ALS Bureau.

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Correspondent

UP-AND-COMING Boholano sensation Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista will face a new opponent for his 12-round regional title bout this Saturday in Cebu City.

Mexican journeyman Marino Gonzales has been tapped to replace Colombian Feider Viloria, who could not make the trip to the Philippines because of visa problems.

Gonzales is scheduled to fight a few weeks from now in Mexico, but was prevailed upon by international promoter Sampson Lewkowicz to accept the Bautista fight instead.

The 25-year-old Gonzales has a record of 29-8 with 15 knockouts. He started his career as a light-flyweight before settling in the bantamweight class the last three years.

Gonzales, who will be fighting outside of Mexico for the first time in his eight-year career, is coming off a 10-round decision loss to Jesus Uribe. It also ended his four-fight winning streak.

Gonzales and Lewkowicz are scheduled to arrive in Cebu this morning.

Bautista is unfazed about the hazards of facing an unknown entity, less than a week before fight night.

The 20-year-old Bautista, with an astonishing record of 21-0, 16 KOs, is not new to the scenario. He has been involved in several fights without an iota of information on his foe’s fighting style.

Saturday night’s cofeature, which will be for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific super-bantamweight belt, will be Bautista’s first in the country since his second-round technical knockout of Tanzanian Obote Ameme on September 2005 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

The Candijay, Bohol native is coming off three straight victories in the United States and is eyeing a potential world title eliminator against undefeated Mexican Sergio Medina on May 5. That fight is beneath the highly anticipated 12-round brawl between Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya and pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, all is set for today’s final press conference for the “Moment of Truth” card at the posh Waterfront Hotel in Cebu.

Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel of Mexico and Filipino challenger Z “The Dream” Gorres will headline the boxing card to be held at the Cebu City Sports Complex.

Montiel will defend his WBO super flyweight crown against Gorres, the mandatory challenger for more than a year.

Also seeing action is another undefeated teen sensation, AJ “Bazooka” Banal (11-0-1, 9 KO’s) who will go up against dangerous Thai campaigner Komrith Lukkuongmuekol (15-2, 11 KO’s) for 12-rounds.

Filipino international campaigner Jimrex Jaca will battle WBO Asia-Pacific super featherweight champion Simson Butar Butar of Indonesia in another 12-rounder.

Adding thrill to the momentous card is the pro debut of Bai Elorde, grandson of the legendary Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde, who will be tested by fellow newcomer Joseph Mateo in a four-round encounter.

Mark Caguioa scored 28 points and Jayjay Helterbrand added 26 to lead the Ginebra Kings to a 94-82 victory over the San Miguel Beermen last night for a 3-2 lead in the Talk ’N Text-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup title series.

Let’s get it on!

THE Philippines is no longer in basketball limbo.

The International Basketball Federation, or Fiba, yesterday lifted its suspension on the country, informing the Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) of its decision through an e-mail to the group’s president, Manny Pangilinan.

FILIPINO boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao may be focusing on nothing regarding his anticipated next fight.

MERRY DE JESUS made league MVP Cloiene Muyco look hapless from the mound, hammering the game-winning home run as University of the Philippines (UP) continued to shock Adamson U, 3-2, in Game One of the UAAP Season 69 women’s softball finals.

WITH today’s focus on physical fitness, physical achievement and physical everything, more and more people of all ages are working out, taking up sports and testing the limits of their bodies’ capability to cope with extreme physical demands.