Pacquiao Squares Up To Tax Man

World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao says he intends to fight criminal charges that he failed to submit the proper tax documents for his earnings from boxing matches and his many commercial endorsements.

The eight-time world champion, who is also a politician, could face up to two years in jail if found guilty, but officials from the Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said the matter could be easily resolved if Pacquiao submits the proper documents.

The Light-Heavyweight Boxer Nathan Cleverly Left In Limbo

FRANK Warren is in discussion with the WBO after they refused to sanction boxer Nathan Cleverly’s proposed world title defence against Robin Krasniqi.

 It was announced this morning that Cleverly would put his WBO light-heavyweight belt on the line against the Germany-based Serbian at the Royal Albert Hall on 28 April. But the WBO president Francisco Valcarcel reacted swiftly by claiming that, having beaten Tommy Karpency last month, Cleverly must now face a mandatory opponent.

“Francisco Valcarcel commented that the bout between Nathan Cleverly and Robin Krasniqi can’t and won’t be sanctioned,” read a statement. “Nathan Cleverly’s fight with Karpency was sanctioned with the provision that the winner meet his mandatory opponent 120 days from the day of the bout.” A spokesman for Warren confirmed the promoter is in talks with the WBO in the hope of resolving the impasse. Earlier, Cleverly had spoken of the challenge posed by little-known Krasniqi and his delight at the prospect of boxing at the Royal Albert Hall.