LAS VEGAS - A few days before the third face-off between eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, the usual personality- and media-filled Pacquiao camp is quiet.
No Hollywood stars visited the Filipino sports icon?s training at the Wild Card Gym. No sports personalities joined him in his morning runs. Even the usual Filipino politicians who have joined his entourage are nowhere to be seen because of the upcoming national elections.
Analysts say that this fallout may have been the effect of the Sarangani representative?s controversial stand on same-sex marriage.
Earlier this year, The Pambansang Kamao clearly articulated his opinion on same-sex marriage in an interview that caused public uproar. His comment ?masahol pa sa hayop? about same-sex couples practicing sex resulted in the withdrawal of his multi-million endorsements and dropping of support of many groups and individuals. He has apologized the next day, saying that he is still against same-sex marriage, but is not condemning the LGBTs. Pacquiao has converted to become a born-again Christian and has been active in Bible studies and preaching.
?What is important for me is my family and good friends praying for me,? said the People?s Champ in Filipino.
The Pacquiao and Jamora families are all present and Team Pacquiao are not wavering in their support for the Pacman. PBA legends Kenneth Duremdes, Zaldy Realubit, Bernard Fabiosa , Olympian boxer Rey Fortaleza and wife Cely arrived from Canada to support their kababayan, together with former junior bantamweight and bantamweight titleholder Gerry Pe?alosa and wife Goody and the whole family.
Gemmalyn Crosby, certified instructor of Filipino Combat Systems and the only IFBB Pro representing the Philippines via the Philippine League of Bodybuilding and Fitness, is of course rooting for Pacquiao. Back home, PBA star John Ferriols, Loyola Sparks Joaquin Canas and Healthwell Chairman Robert Nazal are cheering for Manny. Pastors and fellow Filipinos from General Santos, Manila, and the whole country re also praying for Manny.
?Ang importante kung wala man sila dito ay pinagdadasal nila ako,? said Manny.
In Pacquiao?s fight of the century against Floyd Mayweather Jr., people from all over the world, even the Americans, cheered for the Filipino boxing hero.
Pacquiao?s Hollywood supporters included singer, songwriter, and actress Beyonce; socialite, television personality, model, actress and singer Paris Hilton; actor, film producer, screenwriter, film director, martial artist, musician, reserve deputy sheriff and entrepreneur Steven Seagal; actors Jim Caviezel, Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Daniel Radcliffe, Jeremy Piven, Tim Abell, and Pooch Hall. #
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