Top Rank chief Bob Arum revealed yesterday that an unforgettable experience awaits Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya ? the main protagonists in a Dec. 6 fight in Las Vegas ? when they kick off their press tour starting Oct. 1.
Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions (GBP), the one-time warring outfits, are joining hands in staging what could turn out to be a bout of epic proportions.
The media hype gets off the ground at the Statue of Liberty in New York where Pacquiao and De La Hoya meet for the first time since their MGM Grand battle was announced last month.
The choice of New York as kick-off point is perfect considering that it is the headquarters of the world?s premier media outlets with the New York Times and the American TV networks expected to send coverage teams.
From the Big Apple, private jets will carry their respective teams to Chicago for another round-table discussions slated at the stratospheric Sears Tower, the tallest building in North America and the third-tallest in the world at 1,454 feet.
After New York and Chicago, the promotional tour flies to Houston, this time, to drum up more interest when an event is held at the Johnson Space Center, the NASA?s center for human space flights.
Following a whirlwind visit to Houston, Pacquiao and De La Hoya will proceed to another key Lone Star State city, San Antonio, to entertain the media at The Alamo, the site of a bloody siege in Texas in 1835.
Arum said one more chief location in Los Angeles will be determined in the coming days.
“It?s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” added Arum.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao was mobbed upon his arrival in Los Angeles Sunday night (Monday morning in Manila) and his California-based buddies had to escort him out of the airport en route to his apartment unit at The Palazzo in trendy La Brea district, according to Dr. Ed dela Vega, who customizes the Filipino fighter?s mouthpiece.
Before leaving the Philippines on Sunday night, Pacquiao told reporters that he plans to show up for training at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Boxing Club on Monday.
