Philippines, 03 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


D-Rose sends special greeting to Pacquiao (VIDEO)


PhilBoxing.com




AUBURN HILLS, Michigan -- The Detroit Pistons training facility, which sits next door to the team's now-closed former home, The Palace, is 251 miles away my humble abode in Chicago.

But I took the long drive yesterday anyway, plowing through interstates 69, 75, 90 and 94 for five hours and 17 minutes.

I did not accomplish the chore to test my waning endurance. I did it to pen a column here and at Spin.ph, my other literary home. The center of attention in both endeavors is my good friend Derrick Rose.

I've known Rose since he first entered the NBA in 2008. Back then, I was on my seventh year covering the Chicago Bulls as a credentialed NBA writer.

Sometime in 2014, when the Bulls were on a playoffs game versus the Bucks at the now-defunct Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Rose summoned me to his locker room stall wondering if I could get him signed gloves from Manny Pacquiao.

A few months later, I delivered to Rose a pair of bright red boxing trunks signed by the Pambansang Kamao. And two nights before he faced Mayweather in the May 2015 blockbuster, I delivered to Pacquiao an autographed Derrick Rose jersey at the champion's Delano Hotel suite in Las Vegas.



Their friendship has been cemented. And the rest is history.

Since being traded by the Bulls in 2016, Rose has played in New York, Cleveland and Minnesota. This season, he will be a Detroit Piston, inked to a two-year $15 million.

I saw Derrick twice last season, once at the Target Center in Minneapolis and once at the United Center in Chicago. Having said that, it was exciting to see him again yesterday in Michigan where we caught up and discussed several topics.

Of course, we talked about his other passion, boxing. A conversation inevitably steered us to Senator Pacquiao, who impressed Rose with his twin victories over Andre Broner and Keith Thurman this year.

"I saw (Errol) Spence call out Manny. Are they fighting,? Rose asked.

I told him that it's unlikely. At this stage in his legendary Hall-of-Fame career, Manny has earned the right to choose his opponents and Spence isn't on the radar. The PacMan, who isn't afraid of anyone, would rather avenge his loss to Mayweather.

Spence and Terence Crawford are great fighters in the 147-pound class but neither name possesses the pay-per-view pull of the undefeated, brashy Money Mayweather.

Before being pulled to fulfill his other media and marketing obligations, D-Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP and the youngest to ever win the award, sent a video message to the Senator which included an apology for not being able to attend Pacquiao's recent bouts owing to a very tight work and family schedule.

No apologies needed.

Senator Manny himself juggles so many responsibilities as a family man, lawmaker, fighter, businessman and philanthropist. He completely understands where Rose is coming from.

Tell you what, though. If Pacquiao-Mayweather 2 happens, D-Rose will find the time to spend a magical night of boxing at ringside.

Meanwhile, Rose is 100 percent focused on the Pistons.

"I'm ready to win a championship," he told reporters gathered at Media Day.

Somewhere out there, Manny Pacquiao is cheering for Derrick Rose.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Allan Villanueva vs. Jyl Wright Headlines Peter Maniatis Event in Melbourne Oct. 3
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BUSTAMANTE AND JONES NAMED CAPTAINS FOR REYES CUP 2025
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Mike Tyson Joins BoltBetz as Strategic Investor and Promotional Partner to Usher in a New Era of Cashless Gaming
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BOXING LEGEND MANNY PACQUIAO LAUNCHES “MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS” IN THE UNITED STATES
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • BOOTS HUNTING THE BIG FISH AT 154LBS
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • IBA Unveils Historic 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships as Part of a Spectacular Two-Week ‘Festival of Boxing’ in Dubai with Unprecedented $8 Million Prize Pool
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Final Bell for 2025 USA Boxing National Open Event National Open Event Concludes with 1,870 Registered Participants in Tulsa, Oklahoma
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 15: JOE FRAZIER’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • World Boxing relocates Congress 2025 to Rome
    , Thu, 02 Oct 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
    , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Oct 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Canelo Alvarez Facing Extended Layoff After Crawford Loss; Surgery Confirms Injury Rumors
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Dante Stone is last American standing in Inaugural WBC Grand Prix
    , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Age Defying Triumph: At Age 50 Toshihiko Era Wins World Title
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • TKO and Zuffa Boxing sign streaming agreement with Paramount
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • Boxing Ephemera, Pacquiao’s Mouthguard, and the Meaning of It All
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 30 Sep 2025
  • A turning point for global sport: IBA President Umar Kremlev and Donald Trump Jr join forces
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • Rosia captures PBF super fly title
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • Tancontians starred 2025 Sports Heroes Night
    , Mon, 29 Sep 2025
  • “Thrilla” guest list
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 28 Sep 2025
  • Why Do So Many Boxers Play eGames?
    , Sun, 28 Sep 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.