|
Monday, September 20, 2004
Manny joins stars in watching Vegas fight
By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
FILIPINO world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao was among the celebrities and sports personalities who watched the Bernard Hopkins-Oscar dela Hoya championship fight Saturday (Monday morning in Manila) at the MGM Grand Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pacquiao, a native of Gen. Santos City, did not escape the attention of the television commentators who made a blow-by-blow coverage of the bout, mentioning his name as they announced the celebrities at ringside.
The Filipino pug is indeed recognizable.
He electrified the boxing world with an 11th-round TKO victory over Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera in November last year in San Antonio, Texas.
Pacquiao was also at the MGM Grand Casino Hotel last May when and delighted fans by knocking down IBF and WBC featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez three times in the first round on the way to earning a draw.
Other than Pacquiao, the list of celebrities included Charles Barkley, Mike Tyson, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, Billy Crystal, Nicole Kidman, Erik Morales, Barrera, Roberto Duran, Patrick Ewing, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Vitali Klitschko.
Of interest to Pacquiao is Marquez, whom he clobbered in the opening round but failed to put away months earlier.
And Pacquiao liked what he saw.
Marquez retained his crown with a unanimous decision win over Orlando Salido, although he wasn't that impressive unlike in his bout with Pacquiao.
In the main event, Bernard Hopkins knocked out Oscar dela Hoya in the ninth round to keep his world middleweight crown.
(September 20, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
