The Pacman Cometh
Just eight days after his latest world title defense, Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines visits Hawaii for the first time to perform with his band in a concert celebration March 21 at the Waikiki Shell
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onship (“the man who beat the man”) in four different weight classes. His record stands at 50 wins, three losses and two draws. Of those wins, 38 were by knockout. His Nov. 14 fight against Miguel Cotto ended in a TKO of the Puerto Rican former welterweight champ.
After that victory - which added the lucky No. 7 belt to his record collection - the world held its breath in anticipation of a possible match-up with Floyd “Money” May-weather Jr. And it looked like the fight of the century would happen - until a dispute over venues and Mayweather’s insistence on enforcing Olympic-style drug testing, which would open the doors to random blood tests up to one week before the fight. Pacquiao and promoter Bob Arum refused, saying that the Pinoy pugilist had complied with commission rules - which require random urine testing - so why let the other side dictate how the game should be played?
But Mayweather called foul, going on a media rampage that insinuated steroid use and a fear of getting KO’d were the “real” reasons the fight had been nixed.
“All the rumors are false,” states Pacquiao, whose attorneys have filed a defamation action against Mayweather’s camp. “I really wanted this fight for the fans, and I am disappointed that we were not able to make this happen.”
Clottey may have come as a last-minute replacement, but Pacquiao isn’t treating it as such. Since late January he has been going nonstop under the watchful tutelage of trainer Freddie Roach, improving his already stellar skills while sparring against the likes of Brian Brooks, Dave Rodela, Ray Beltran, Mike Dallas, Steve Forbes, Shawn Porter, Abdulla Amidu, Jamie Kavanagh and 2009 Golden Gloves welterweight champ Jose Benavidez.
Which is all part of the plan. Clottey, 32, is known for his size, durability, defense and rock-solid chin. The former IBF welterweight champion also has never been knocked out, instead being able to withstand blows from opponents such as Cotto and Antonio Margarito before delivering a hard - and accurate - key left punch to the body.
But that makes things all the more fun - for both fighter and viewers.
“We have been studying his style and preparing to give a good fight for the fans,” Pacquiao says. “I will do my best to give a good show for all the fans all over the world. I can fight anybody as long as I can give a good show.”
Speaking of a good show ...
Tickets to Manny Pacquiao’s Concert and Celebration Live at the Waikiki Shell cost $25, $35, $45, $55 and $75 each. VIP tickets that include a special “Meet and Greet Manny Pacquiao” opportunity are priced at $150. All attendees will have the chance to win an authentic, autographed WBC Championship Belt, one of only two in the world.
Tickets are on sale now at Blaisdell Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000. For more information, visit www.islandfirehawaii.com.
“Manny is someone who is very easy-going and someone that Hawaii will support. Hopefully Hawaii gives him a huge welcome and a sellout show!” Chang says. “I want to have Manny eventually do a boxing match here. I want Manny to want to come back to Hawaii for years to come.”
For now, says Pacquiao, “We will have to see, go from one fight to the next.”
Stay tuned.
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