Manny Pacquiao shirts, jackets and bandanas are a thing of the past.
On June 28, cardboard masks of Pacquiao will be distributed among those who will watch the Filipino?s battle with David Diaz of the US at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, according to gun enthusiast Cris Aquino, one of the fighter?s most ardent supporters.
“Manny Pacquiao will be everywhere at Mandalay Bay on fight night,” said Aquino, who revealed that 10,000 pieces of the mask with a production price of R7.90 will be brought to the US by several of Pacquiao?s friends who are flying to Los Angeles beginning this coming week.
Aquino, who lives in San Juan, is the perennial flag-bearer of Pacquiao, widely acknowledged today as the best puncher in the world regardless of weight.
It was Aquino who shelled out his own money in providing select members of Team Pacquiao with jackets, shirts and other boxing stuff whenever the 29-year-old southpaw is revving up for a high-profile bout in the US.
Aquino plans to distribute these masks ? expected to become a collector?s item ? on June 25 when a press conference is held at Mandalay Bay.
“The mask will be worn like when people attend a masquerade ball,” noted Aquino. “But since sticks are not permitted inside the venue, I came up with the idea that instead of just the head (of Pacquiao), I also included the neck so it could be used to hold the mask.”
Aquino began supporting Pacquiao in Nov. 2003 when Pacquiao slugged it out with Marco Antonio Barrera at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, when the boxer?s entourage only included men with specific roles to play.
Since then, the only time Aquino missed a Pacquiao fight in the US was during the showdown with Hector Velazquez of Mexico in Sept. 2005 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Aquino?s luxurious resort ? Boracay Westcove ? is where Pacquiao regularly chills out after a gruelling bout.
