LAS VEGAS — One of Manny Pacquiao’s diehard fans was given a rude welcome at the McCarran International Airport on Tuesday afternoon when a box containing 41 jackets and 16 shirts which he planned to give away to fans of the Filipino slugger on fight night was confiscated by US Customs officials.
“Even before I handed over the Customs declaration, I knew I was in for trouble,” related Cris Aquino at the suite of Pacquiao at the Wynn Resort and Casino. Aquino planed in from Manila.
“He told me, ‘ready for the fight?’” and I answered in the affirmative,” said Aquino, who described the official as being a Latino. “Maybe a Mexican who is a Morales fan.”
“Even one dark-colored shirt that was inside the box that has already been worn was taken away even though I told the official that it’s not new.”
Aquino could retrieve the items probably in time for Saturday night’s big bash. But it would entail a lot of paper work, he said.
Aquino is a fixture in past Pacquiao fights and was with Pacquiao when he beat Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio, Texas, in November 2003. He also attended Pacquiao’s fight against Juan Manuel Marquez and during the first Morales bout.
Each time, he brought souvenirs which he gave away to Pacquiao’s followers.
