MANILA, Philippines ? Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao is pleased to have inspired American actor Mark Wahlberg, who observed the Filipino?s training in the making of the film ?The Fighter?.
Wahlberg is one of the ardent fans of the 8-division champion. He also visits the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles each time Pacquiao trains there.
?Lagi kong pinasasalamatan ang Panginoon, pinasasalamatan ang mga taong sumusuporta palagi sa akin (I always thank the Lord, thank the people who support me),? said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao served as Wahlberg?s model in his portrayal of retired boxer Mickey “Irish” Ward in the movie, The Fighter.
?Every time he was training at Wild Card Gym, I watched him because my whole approach was, I wanted to look like a Manny Pacquiao-caliber fighter. I didn?t want to look like another actor who?s doing an okay job. Manny is the best in the world. Who better to learn from?? said the actor in Skamid.com.
The actor has been following Pacquiao?s career since the Filipino won over boxing great Oscar de la Hoya in December 2008.
Celebrity friends want Pacman to fight
Meanwhile, celebrities and politicians who attended Pacquiao?s victory party on Monday at the Quezon City residence of his friend and patron, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis ?Chavit? Singson, want to see the Filipino boxer fight again.
Most of them want Pacquiao to fight the elusive Floyd Mayweather Jr.
?Of course, si Mayweather para malaki kita niya,? said Singson. ?Pero takot naman [si Mayweather]. (Of course it should be against Mayweather so he?ll earn more. But Mayweather?s afraid).?
?Bugbugin si Mayweather (Mayweather should be beaten up),? said Phillip Salvador.
?Ako, Mayweather din (I prefer Mayweather),? said Vice-President Jejomar Binay.
Sen. Ramon ?Bong Revilla Jr. said it doesn?t really matter who faces Pacquiao. He believes the Filipino superstar can beat them all.
?Kahit sinong itapat dyan, walang talo (Whoever he faces, he?ll never lose),? said Revilla.
Talent manager Annabelle Rama, meantime, hoped for better place for the Filipino champion’s next fight.
?Dapat Las Vegas, ayako ng Dallas (It should be in Las Vegas, not Dallas),? she said. — With a report from Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News
