GRAPEVINE, TEXAS—Manny Mania is running rampant on the morning before his WBO welterweight title defense against Favorite Son Of All Ghana, Joshua Clottey.
Like the proverbial blind squirrel who unearths a rare acorn, yours truly, better known to Pacquiao’s devout followes as the White Gorilla, has been on the international radio airwaves this big fight week with two BBC Radio programmes, with the UK boxing expert Steve “Big Daddy” Bunce on his popular British broadcasts and of course on Radio Ghana.
It’s Pacman, of course, who is showered with massive worldwide media coverage. Ian Darke and former lightweight champion and Pride of Scotland Jim Watt will be at ringside describing the bout to the telly viewers across the United Kingdom. There are also broadcasters present from Thailand, from China and from Japan.
Acclaimed actor Robert Duvall, a big Pacman fan, is here as guest of Manny and Coach Freddie Roach and he is loving it.
Friendly rivals at weigh in, Manny Pacquiao and resolute Joshua Clottey (Top Rank, Chris Farina Photo)
“I’ve always been a big boxing fan,” Duvall told me in Gaylord Texan Hotel lobby. “I think Manny is brilliant and he’s got the best trainer in Freddie. They’re quite the combination.”
Just this morning, ABC TV correspondent John Berman’s crisp piece on Pacman as a Renaissance Man aired on the popular national breakfast time show, Good Morning America.
You can view Berman’s reportage here.
They expect 50,000 patrons in the glimmering, $1.2 billion football playpen in nearby Arlington and King of the Cowboys, stadium and team owner Jerry Jones, announced late Friday just after the weigh in that “party passes” are now on sale for a mere $35.
“Party passes” are a funny euphemism for would more accurately be labeled as SRO, meaning Standing Room Only because there is no seat attached to the cheapest ducats.
Reheated? Look for Mayweather-Pacquiao negotiations to resume anew should Manny dispose of Clottey Saturday and if Mayweather handles Sugra Shane Mosley on May 1 in Las Vegas (Pacland Parody Pic)
Quite a lot of attention and half a hundred thousand viewing at the venue? Doesn’t sound like boxing is a dead or moribund sport now, does it, at least when actor-crooner-politician-fighter Pacquiao is in the main event.
Meanwhile, you know that Manny’s targeted top opponent, Floyd Mayweather, will be watching the fight intently at his “Big Boy Mansion” in Las Vegas although he will deny it.
The host hotel is filled with Pinoys from their homeland, from across America and from Canada.
Pacman has no shortage of support here from his countrymen and countrywomen.
“Mabuhay ka Manny” is heard throughout the push hotel.
Let’s hope the runup, the buildup and the hype is matched by a smashing fight.
Again, I see it as Manny’s 51st pro victory coming by TKO 10.
Now, if you will excuse the White Gorilla, it’s time for my morning coffee and bananas.
Hey, bananas, that’s it, the world is going bananas over Pacman.
He deserves it.
