Ringside Notes

Pacquiao-Hatton mega-fight

Tale of the Tape

*****

Pacquiao - De La Hoya Dream Match

“You are still my idol,” Manny told Oscar after the fight but Oscar said, “No, now you are my idol.”

—-

Pacquiao said, “

I pray hard for this fight that’s why I deserve [my victory] tonight. I’m still looking [at] Oscar as a good fighter.”

—-

De La Hoya said after the fight: “

Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter. He deserves all the credits in the world. We fight a tremendous fight and he was a better man and he deserves all the accolades and he deserves everything that he has accomplished and I wish him all the best.”

“

Well see what happens. I love the sport and when its not your night and a true champion like Manny beats you, obviously there is another day tomorrow,” Oscar said when asked if he is retiring.

—-

Manny Pacquiao entered the arena so alive and appeared like just having fun. Oscar De La Hoya looked like he just came out of the pressure cooker as he climbed the ring.

—-

Bruce Willis, Russell Crowe, Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Lopez are among the Hollywood celebrities in attendance.

—-

Recording superstar Keisha Cole sings the United States of America’s national anthem

—-

Christian Castro, a Mexican recording star, sings Mexico’s national anthem.

—-

Karylle, a Filipino actress and recording star, sings the Philippine national anthem

—-

Manny Pacquiao arrived at the MGM Grand Garden Arena oozing with confidence. The Pacman appeared to be focused on his mission, and that is to upstage the slightly-favored Oscar De La Hoya.

—-

The Golden Boy, on the other hand, arrived looking gloomy and tight – reminiscent of his fight against Floyd Mayweather which he lost.

Pacquiao vs Diaz

Pacquiao arrives at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife Jinky Pacquiao. (10:11 a.m. (RP time)

*****

At 11 a.m. (RP time), both Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz are preparing for the final work to be done.

*****

The singing of the National Anthem started at 11:08 a.m. (RP time) with Nicole Angela singing the Philippine National Anthem, and Jasmine Villegas singing the national anthem of the United States.

*****

Pacquiao enters the ring at 11:13 (RP time) with people at the Mandalay Bay shouting his name. He then kneeled to pray, as he usually does.

*****

Diaz enters the ring at 11:16 a.m. (RP time).

*****

Michael Buffer, the ring announcer, announces the third man in the ring who happens to be referee Vic Drakulich.

*****

The fight started shortly after the referee talked to both Pacquiao and Diaz.

For the round-by-round account and stories, click here