Boxer Manny Pacquiao
is hitting the studio to lay down vocals with Black Eyed Peas member apl.de. ap.
The song, titled “The Champion” will be used as entrance music
for Pacquiao’s upcoming bout with Hector Velazquez.
In addition to
his upcoming bout with Velazquez, Pacquiao revealed details about his highly
anticipated rematch with WBC world super featherweight champion Erik Morales,
which is slated for January 21, 2006.
According to reports,
the rematch is almost a done deal and that there will be a third fight if Pacquiao
emerges victorious and Morales wins against Zahir Raheem.
"I must admit
that I really want to get another shot at Morales,” Pacquiao said. “But
if I can’t win this fight against Velazquez, a rematch is not going to
happen."
Pacquiao and Morales
squared off in March of 2005 and delivered fans a bloody 12 round fight that
saw Morales win by a unanimous decision.
There was controversy
directly after the fight because Pacquiao was forced to wear a brand of gloves
he didn’t like and wasn’t accustomed to wearing in the ring.
Pacquiao’s
trainer Freddie Roach said Pacquiao was used to fighting with the Mexican brand
gloves Reyes, but promoter Murad Muhammad had agreed to a promotional contract
with a brand known as Winning Gloves.
Directly after
the fight, Roach cut the gloves from Pacquiao’s hand and waved them at
Muhammad.
"I would have
liked to use my gloves, but I had to go with what was in the contract,"
Pacquiao said after the fight. "I will fight him again anytime, anywhere."
Pacquiao is now
promoted by Gary Shaw.
Pacquiao
– known as "Pac-Man the Destroyer" – is expected to lay his vocals
down before his match with Velazquez, which takes place at the Staples Center
in Los Angeles on September 10.
In March of 2005, apl.de. ap announced that he was setting up
a record label or management firm in the Philippines, the country the boxer
and the Grammy Award winning rapper were both raised.