Commotion hits Pacquiao welcome at MGM Grand
LAS VEGAS—A commotion that drew the ire of Top Rank chief Bob Arum marked Manny Pacquiao’s official welcome at MGM Grand Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
A rush of photographers, camera men and security personnel bulldozed its way to get near the Filipino congressman, causing minor injuries to some while barely missing Arum.
Top Rank publicist Ricardo Jimenez said he got hit by an elbow even as an alert Brad Jacobs, also of Top Rank, used h is massive frame to prevent the 82-year-old Arum from getting sideswiped.
A pissed-off Arum told the media prior to Pacquiao’s arrival at the VIP lounge that he’s thinking of canceling other grand arrivals.
“It’s only a miracle that nobody got hurt,” said Arum. “I won’t allow this nonsense anymore.”
Hundreds of fans, hotel guests and journalists waited for Pacquiao at the main lobby.
Bradley missed the grand arrival as he attended the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets game at Staples Center. The loudmouth champion arrived Tuesday night on board a private plane.
“It’s good he didn’t have to go through this,” said Arum.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, talked of his post-fighting career saying that even if he hangs his gloves, he will stay committed to boxing by promoting Filipino boxers.
For now, however, Pacquiao’s focus is on regaining the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown snatched from him by Timothy Bradley in June 2012.
“I’ve been in boxing for more than 20 years so I know who’s winning or losing. I’ve watched the replay and video of the fight and I know I won,” Pacquiao said.
The 35-year-old Pacquiao is thankful to Bradley for rekindling the fire in him with incessant taunts that his killer instinct is gone.
“I’ll be more aggressive, throw more combinations, lots of punches this time,” said Pacquiao.
