MANNY PACQUIAO is not only a world-class boxer but also a world champion public relations man, too.
This, he proved yesterday without doubt. Upon entering the Bonaventure Hotel for his second meeting with the press with Mexico’s Oscar Larios, Pacquiao’s opening salvo was ‘Go Clippers,’ which drew a big cheer from the press people, most of whom come from the Los Angeles area, the home of both the Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers.
What broke the house down was when the Filipino admitted to have “won a bet and a fistful of dollars” for the Clippers’ 118-106 win over the Phoenix Suns the night before the presscon.
On Nov. 15, 2003, when he went up the ring at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on his fight against Marco Antonio Barrera, another Mexican, he was wearing the jersey of the San Antonio Spurs that sent the predominantly Mexican crowd disarmed by Pacman. Pacman TKOd Barrera in the 11th round. Pacman refused to predict if he will knock out Larios or in what round it will happen when they clash at the Araneta Coliseum on July 2. Meanwhile, Larios was not upset his Filipino opponent got all the attention during the press conference.
“After the fight, I know the attention will be mine,” said Larios.
Larios said he will remain calm until July as “an antidote that will allow me to resist the ‘poison’ that is Pacquiao.” Mexican manager Rafael Mendoza said Larios flies back tomorrow to Mexico, where he will stay for two more weeks before flying to Tokyo where he wants to acclimatize for the flukey weather in Manila.
