The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is joining hands with boxing legend and Sen. Manny Pacquiao in the search for promising punchers who will shore up the country’s pool of talents with the staging of the PSC-Pacquiao Boxing Cup on Dec. 16 and 17 in General Santos City.
The stop in Pacquiao’s hometown will kick off a series of events across Mindanao with the cities of Kidapawan, Tagum, Davao and Cagayan de Oro targeted to serve as host of similar tournaments next year.
The slugfest in General Santos City coincides with Pacquiao’s celebration of his 39th birthday on Dec. 17.
Pacquiao also fought in the amateurs before deciding to turn professional in 1995.
Known as Kid Kulafu during his days under the watch of GenSan boxing man Rey Golingan, Pacquiao went on to win eight world titles in as many weight classes.
Mindanao has a storied history of producing world champions.
Other Mindanao-born world champions include Rene Barrientos and Rolando Navarrette and current world super-flyweight king Jerwin Ancajas.