MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing superstar Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is known to be a fan of basketball, billiards and cockfighting. This time, he is also sharing his love for soccer, specifically the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“My favorite team is Mexico, and I will be cheering,” he said in a report by Zanfer Promotions posted on BoxingScene.com.

Pacquiao said this during a press conference in Mexico, just days before the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off in South Africa on Friday.

“Mexico is like my second country. The Mexican fans have always supported me in my great battles and the least that I can do is thank them and support Mexico,” continued the Sarangani Province congressman-elect who was wearing a Mexico jersey.

The 7-division champion was in Mexico for a family vacation.

He was also honored in a ceremony by Nayarit Gov. Ney Gonzalez Sanchez. The event was attended by his Mexican promoter, Fernando Beltran.

“It's my first time in Mexico and although I have to leave, I am eager to return and enjoy Mexico. Its places and its people are the best,” said the Filipino prized fighter.

Pacquiao came from New York where he received the Fighter of the Year and Fighter of the Decade Awards from the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). 

Future fights

In the report, Beltran said there are joint plans to have Pacquiao on board doing shows in Mexico and the Philippines, "testing the talents of both countries.”

Pacquiao has defeated numerous Mexican boxers such as Gabriel Mira, Emmanuel Lucero, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Hector Velazquez, Oscar Larios and Jorge Solis. He also overcame Mexican-Americans David Diaz and Oscar de la Hoya.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao commented on his possible showdown with undefeated American Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

“Mr. [Bob] Arum is my promoter and he will do everything to ensure that the [Mayweather] fight is done. For me I have no problem whatsoever. Arum says we will be ready to fight in November,” he stated.

The latest development is that Mayweather said he will be taking a break from boxing. But Arum, the head honcho of Top Rank, Inc., said he does not believe the American boxer’s pronouncement.

Pacquiao has also agreed to undergo blood testing 14 days before the fight.

Mayweather and Pacquiao were supposed to fight on March 13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. But negotiations fell apart because of the fighters’ disagreement on the Olympic-style drug testing protocol.

Most wanted fight

A close associate of Pacquiao, Rex “Wakee” Salud, also did not believe that Mayweather was going into his second retirement.

“He’s bluffing. It’s a bluff. It’s a poker match,” Salud told Abac Cordero of The Philippine Star.

He also thinks that Mayweather came out of retirement last year to fight Pacquiao and earn millions. The American is projected to get around $40 million if he faces “The People’s Champ.”

As for the purse split, Salud said a 50-50 division is the most reasonable arrangement.

“That will be an insult to Manny. He can agree to all the demands, but not to one that would give Mayweather the bigger purse. Fifty-fifty should be the ideal split. But never 60-40 for Floyd,” he said.

When asked if Mayweather insisted on getting the upper hand in the purse split, Salud replied: “That’s when you pull the plug on this fight.”