By Jake Donovan
Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao was treated to a hero’s welcome for his grand arrival Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas.
Decked out in a blue zipper-down sweatshirt bearing his "MP" brand, the Filipino superstar casually strolled in to a mob of photographers and accompanying camera flashes, anxious to capture his first moments at the MGM Grand. The venue plays host to his highly anticipated showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez this weekend, which airs live on HBO Pay-Per-View (9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT).
As is the case with nearly every press event, Pacquiao was all smiles and enthusiastic over the attention paid to his career, which includes lineal championships in an unprecedented four weight classes (112 lb, 126 lb, 130 lb. and 140 lb.), and alphabet belts acquired in four more (122 lb., 135 lb., 147 lb., and 154 lb.). Tuesday’s open session was certainly no exception, as evidenced by the capacity crowd on hand.
Pacquiao arrived with his team, including head trainer Freddie Roach who looked more like a walking billboard for his top student, sporting a PacMan hoodie and blue Nike sneakers (Pacquiao is currently the lone active boxer among Nike’s payroll). The five-time Trainer of the Year played to the pro-Pacquiao crowd, pumping his fist in the air to draw a raucous cheer.
The fight marks Pacquiao’s eighth time appearing in the MGM Grand, which now hosts his fifth consecutive Vegas-based fight. He is currently 5-1-1 (4KO) in the venue.
Among the five wins include some of the biggest in Pacquiao’s career, but also his introduction to the U.S. boxing scene. Filling in as a last-minute opponent against then-top rated 122 lb. titlist Lehlo Ledwaba, Pacquiao stunned the crowd on hand – as well as those watching on HBO PPV – in dominating the South African en route to a sixth round stoppage.
He has since led a path of destruction, claiming titles (lineal and alphabet) in six more weight classes, with his record setting achievements for most lineal and overall titles both established at the MGM Grand.
A 2nd round knockout of Ricky Hatton in this very venue in May ‘09 made Pacquiao a lineal champion in a record fourth weight class.
One fight later, he stopped Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand to become the first fighter ever to capture a world title in seven weight classes, having since added an eighth championship with his beatdown of Antonio Margarito last year in Dallas.
Perhaps his most famous showing was his beatdown and retiring of Oscar de la Hoya in December ’08, which emphatically announced his arrival as a crossover star and not just limited to a boxing superstar.
It hasn’t all been rosy at the MGM Grand for Pacquiao, as it’s also the site for his lone loss this century. That moment came at the hands of Erik Morales, which Pacquiao subsequently twice avenged at the nearby Thomas and Mack Center.
More importantly to this particular three-fight series, the MGM Grand was also the scene for Pacquiao-Maquez I. Pacquiao scored three knockdowns in the opening round, only for Marquez to rally back and outbox the southpaw over the remaining 11 rounds to produce the split decision draw, an outcome that remains hotly debated more than seven years later heading into their third showdown this weekend.
Their second fight took place at the nearby Mandalay Bay Center, which produced an equally debatable verdict. A 3rd round knockdown proved to be the difference between a second consecutive draw and the actual split decision verdict in Pacquiao’s favor, although many at ringside felt Marquez did enough to pull it out.
Their fight this weekend was sold out weeks ago, with closed circuit sales at accompanying venues also exceeding expectations.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com .
