LAS VEGAS – I was really lucky yesterday. In yet the biggest boxing coverage of my sportswritng career, I got floor seats for Pacquiao-Morales II at the Thomas and Mack Center. I was at seat five row 13, very dangerously close to the action.
I also got extremely lucky finding people to interview for my live on-air report on dyAB immediately after the fight.
Among those who stopped to talk to us was no less than First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. He was reluctant at first, but he obliged when I told him “Please, just a few words?”
PBL Commissioner Chino Trinidad, flyweight champ and budding Solar sports broadcast journalist Brian Viloria, and Jimrex Jaca were among those who joined my radio chit-chat on dyAb with Jun Perez and Randy Jaynar.
Of course, the ever-gracious Jinkee, Manny’s love and inspiration, politely said yes when I asked her to grab my cellphone for a live interview.
PARTIES GALORE. I met First Gentleman Mike Arroyo at the Lure for the post-fight party. Under more intimate settings, he was even friendlier and he allowed me and Sammy Gello-ani to take turns having a photo-op with him.
Senator Lito Lapid was also at the party and he didn’t mind several requests for a photo-op. Sammy and I were never bashful in front of the flashbulb, so we took our poses with the movie star-turned-lawmaker.
But the coolest voice inside the Lure when I got there belonged to Michael Buffer, the ring announcer who made the “let’s get ready to rumble!!” a global phenomenon.
An outrageously beautiful woman was clinging on to Buffer as he was about to leave the bedlam, but he gamely stopped to take pictures with Sammy and me.
TEEN IDOL. Guess who came to the party still looking boyish after all these years?
Here’s a clue, he’s the former love, heck, the first love of Sharon Cuneta.
Yes, Gabby Concepcion. He looked regal in a dark suit and women couldn’t resist ogling at his dashing good looks. He’s doing real estate now, selling prime property in Daly City and other parts of California.
MORALES UPDATE. I was directly behind Manny when Shelley Finkel told PacMan “You really gave him a beating.”
As a result of the punishment, Morales was rushed to the hospital for precautionary tests. Suspecting that El Terrible had a broken orbital bone and a fractured cheek, Finkel said, “he’ll stay there for a while.”
ETC. Manny did make a fortune for yesterday’s fight, but he also spent a lot for plane tickets to friends and relatives. It’s about $48,000 and counting. Ah, the price of fame and fortune. (
