| |
|
Pacquiao arrives in Las Vegas sans banter and hoopla
By Alex P. Vidal PhilBoxing.com Thu, 26 Jun 2008
LAS VEGAS ? Since the formal arrival ceremonies are still scheduled on June 24, Team Pacquiao arrived here at around 8:30 in the evening June 23 without any hoopla and grandiosity commonly seen in the parade and arrival of stars in big occasions.
The 14-vehicle convoy left at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California at about 3:30 in the afternoon after the final press conference to announce the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight duel between champion David Diaz and challenger Manny Pacquiao.
Upon his arrival at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, Pacquiao and his wife Jinky were escorted by fight agent Michael Koncz and several members of Team Pacquiao. The entourage proceeded inside Room 60904, one of the most expensive suites in the 43 stories, 1,117 bedroom suites hotel adjacent to the towering Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
A dinner for the entourage was held inside the room. At around past 10 in the evening Pacquiao?s assistant Rob Peters requested the small crowd to disperse and proceed to their assigned rooms to give privacy to the boxing icon who wore a Boston Celtics cap all the way from California to Nevada.
Official arrival ceremonies will be held at the main hotel entrance to Mandalay Bay?11 a.m. for Diaz and 11:30 a.m. for Pacquiao who is expected to be accompanied by Top Rank big boss Bob Arum.
Pacquiao refused to talk about the fight during the dinner but made some remarks and observation on why the Los Angeles Lakers was clobbered by Boston Celtics in the recent NBA finals.
Those who arrived together with Pacquiao were Texas-based physician Allan Recto, promoter and confidante Rex (Wakee) Salud, patron and wedding godfather Rey Gollingan, promoter Johnny Elorde, among other prominent figures in the Team Pacquiao.
Coach Freddie Roach arrived few hours later. At 11 pm. Pacquiao?s room was off limit to particulars.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
FISHER STEPS UP AGAINST BABIC AT COPPER BOX ARENA ON JULY 6 , Wed, 22 May 2024TICKETS TO GO ON SALE FOR WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA VS. GIOVANNI CABRERA TOMORROW, MAY 22 , Wed, 22 May 2024Junior Middleweight Contender Xander Zayas to Receive Sports Star Honor at 2024 Puerto Rican Day Parade , Wed, 22 May 2024Five King’s Gambit Online Chess School Bets Qualify for Palarong Pambansa By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 22 May 2024The Past Week in Action 20 May 2024: Big Day for Ukraine: Usyk Defeats Fury for Undisputed Heavyweight Title; Berinchyk Wins WBO Lightweight Title Over Navarrete; Papin, Chukhadzhian Victorious By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 May 2024Espere Defends PBF Title Against Bravo on June 23 in Cagwait By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 May 2024ALI AKHMEDOV TO FACE ENCARNACION DIAZ IN WORLD-CLASS SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DUAL ON THIS THURSDAY’S “BIG TIME BOXING USA,” EVENT, PRESENTED BY SALITA PROMOTIONS , Tue, 21 May 2024Marc Kevin Labog emerges as champion in the 9th leg of the PCAP Champions League Open chess tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 May 2024Boxers await qualifying draw By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 21 May 2024Boston Holds Edge in East Finals, NBA Championship Series By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 21 May 2024TWO TITLE SHOWDOWNS ROUND OUT STACKED DAVIS VS. MARTIN & BENAVIDEZ VS. GVOZDYK TOPPED PBC PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT ON PRIME VIDEO SATURDAY, JUNE 15 , Tue, 21 May 2024The Heat Is On: Miami Fight Night Headlined by Teofimo Lopez-Steve Claggett Junior Welterweight World Title Showdown June 29 at James L. Knight Center LIVE on ESPN , Tue, 21 May 2024Undefeated Faizan Anwar fighting for his future this Saturday in Abu Dhabi on a loaded “Rising Stars Arabia 4” pro boxing card , Tue, 21 May 2024It's Boston Versus Indiana in the East; Minnesota Against Dallas in the West By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 20 May 2024SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 69: OLEKSANDR USYK BECOMES THIRD MALE TWO-DIVISION UNDISPUTED CHAMPION By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 20 May 2024Wunderkid Arca Earns 2nd International Master Norm In Vietnam Tourney; pockets chess title By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 20 May 2024U2: Denys Berichyk Gives Ukraine Another World Champion , Sun, 19 May 2024Dallas Mavs Nip OKC Thunder 117-116 Advance to Western Conference Finals By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 19 May 2024The future is bright for Dasma Cavite Spartans By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 May 2024Lone Survivor: Usyk Topples Fury to Win Undisputed Heavyweight Crown , Sun, 19 May 2024Undisputed: Oleksandr Usyk Drops, Edges Fury to Claim Heavyweight Glory By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 19 May 2024Elorde named to WBC body By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 19 May 2024Indiana Bests New York, Forces Game 7 in East Semis By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 18 May 2024Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in Semi Finals at PCAP By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 May 2024Fury vs. Usyk: The Big One Has Finally Arrived By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 18 May 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|