Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao proved true to his star status while Shane Mosley played his part in an open public press conference at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas which drew over two thousand fans on Saturday.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum introduced a new concept which allowed the fans to ask questions after the accredited media were through with their own press conference with both fighters and their trainers.
The fight had been criticized by many American boxing writers who claimed that, at 39, Mosley is washed up while Pacquiao is at his peak and some even suggested that fans boycott the fight.
But the public turnout at the open press conference was regarded as amazing and put to rest any doubts about fan support.
There were serious questions and light moments during the repartee with the fans. One lady said she wanted to audition for a chance to sing the Philippine national anthem on May 7. Pacquiao, his usual gracious self, accepted a demo CD from her.
There was another female fan who merely wanted to have a picture with Pacquiao, who agreed and security people escorted the woman to the dais where Manny was.
Another fan added to the fun when he inquired whether one of the attractive Tecate girls was single.
Then it got serious with a boxing fan asking why Pacquiao and Mosley wanted to knock each other out. In typical fashion Pacquiao said: “I’m just there to do my job. If the knockout happens, it happens.”
Mosley quickly handled the issue in a pleasant manner, underscoring the friendly rivalry between the two. Mosley said: “Come on, Manny. You know you want to knock me out. It’s okay, I want to knock you out too.”
The controversy over the constant accusation by Floyd Mayweather Jr and his father that Pacquiao was on performance enhancing drugs eventually surfaced despite the fact that Pacquiao had stated in the past that he was willing to undergo the test.
Before a hugely pro-Pacquiao crowd someone said “would you please, for everyone, just take the test.” The man was roundly booed before Pacquiao responded.
“You have to believe that my boxing skill is natural. I am strong. I do not take medicine. I’m all-natural,” Pacquiao said.
His Justin Bieber hairstyle drew attention too from a young boy. Asked whether he liked Bieber with whom he may play basketball in the NBA All Star Weekend celebrity game, Pacquiao answered: “That’s a good question. I like it, but Bruce Lee is my idol.”
With Pacquiao an elected congressman from the lone district of Sarangani province, Mosley was asked whether he would ever consider running for the US Congress.
The three-time world champion said : “I’m not sure I have that kind of talent that Manny has.”
