PACQUIAO SHORTS: Daily tidbits on Pacquiao, straight from the US
EVERY day until the much-anticipated Fight of the Century on May 2, 2015 (May 3 in Manila, Philippines) and its aftermath, INQUIRER.net will publish a series of Pacquiao Shorts, or exclusive trivia and photos on all things Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., straight from the INQUIRER team in the United States.
These Pacquiao Shorts are arranged from most recent to oldest and updated daily.
May 4
Pacquiao may have lost to Mayweather in a unanimous decision, but his fans were even more emboldened and adoring for their champion.
RELATED STORIES:
• Filipino humor prevails as Pacquiao loses to Mayweather
• ‘Unfair’ echoes across Philippines
• Pacquiao-Mayweather bout did not live up to the hype—online poll
• #InquirerSeven Best stories written about #PacMay Fight of the Century
May 3
Finally, Fight Day. Pacquiao lost to Mayweather in a decision reached unanimously by judges but discussed in fervor by hardcore and casual boxing fans alike. The energy inside MGM Grand Garden Arena is electric from start to finish. After the fight, both boxers acknowledge the skill level and greatness of the other. However, social media is abuzz with varying–and heated–opinions.
RELATED STORIES:
• Pacquiao: I thought I won the fight
• Pacquiao: Mayweather is good, he won the fight
• Pacquiao: ‘Still the people’s champ’
• No rematch as Pacquiao won’t ever beat Mayweather anyway, says Floyd Sr.
• Biggest stars in attendance at Pacquiao-Mayweather superfight
• Pacquiao’s shoulder injury kept secret from public
May 2
At the final weigh-in a day before the bout, Pacquiao comes in at 145 pounds while Mayweather comes in at 146 pounds. Both are barely under 147 pounds, the maximum weight for the welterweight division.
RELATED STORIES:
• Pacquiao 145, Mayweather 146 at official weigh-in
• Home court edge? Pacquiao cheered, Mayweather jeered in weigh-in
• Pacquiao-Mayweather weigh-in raises $115k for charity
• POLL RESULTS: Who will win the Fight of the Century?
May 1
MGM Grand is rearing to play host to the Fight of the Century. Pacquiao spends the day training and attending Bible study with his family.
RELATED STORIES:
• Will Pacquiao-Mayweather save boxing? Or does the sport need saving?
• What rest? Pacquiao hits gym one last time before megafight
• Roach vs Floyd Sr.: Trainers’ trash talk heats up
April 30
Pacquiao and Mayweather once again meet face to face in their last joint press conference, exchanging smiles and words of confidence instead of mitts just three days before the big day.
RELATED STORIES:
• Final presscon: No drama but surprises
• Pacquiao-Mayweather fight night like the Oscars
• Pacquiao wants to convert Mayweather
• Mayweather: Boxing is like a chess matchApril 29
Las Vegas, the City of Lights, officially welcomes Pacquiao and Mayweather in grand arrival ceremonies at Mandalay Bay for the Filipino and MGM Grand for the American.
RELATED STORIES:
• Pacquiao: Relax, I’m going to beat Floyd Mayweather
• Mayweather makes Grand entrance with verbal jab for Pacquiao
April 28
Pacquiao trains one last time at Wild Card gym before setting off to Las Vegas and checking in at the Delano Las Vegas hotel. Mayweather, too, is already in town, and it seems Sin City is just as excited as the rest of the world for the Fight of the Century.
RELATED STORIES:
• Pacquiao takes road to greatness
• Pacquiao arrives in Las Vegas, stays at Delano
• Killer instinct back, Pacquiao brings his best to Vegas
April 27
The Pacquiaos spend together the last Sunday before the Fight of Century by attending Mass and receiving prayers from fellow church attendees, and by eating lunch at their favorite Thai restaurant.
RELATED STORIES:
• Jinkee Pacquiao says Manny needs to knock out Mayweather
• LOOK: Bus with Pacquiao images to head 100-car convoy to Las Vegas
April 24 to 26
High-profile members of Team Pacquiao continue to visit Wild Card gym in support of the Philippines’ Pambansang Kamao, including actors Mark Wahlberg and Cesar Montano, and Filipino-American beauty queens. Pacman the Jack Russell terrier also garners positive attention.
RELATED STORIES:
• Running with Pacquiao: Excuse his dust, swallow your pride
• At Wild Card, there’s always someone waiting for Pacquiao
• Fil-Am beauties root for Pacquiao
• Canine celebrity may be fittest in dogland
April 23
INQUIRER.net sports writer Mark Giongco arrives at Las Vegas and gives a first-hand account of what can be found both outside and inside Mayweather Boxing Club, even when its proud namesake is not around for training. Back in Hollywood, family and fans alike continue to flock to Pacquiao’s training grounds at Griffith Park and Wild Card gym.
RELATED STORIES:
• ‘Beast in the ring, angel outside’
• Inside Mayweather Boxing Club
• Mayweather: I’m pretty sure I got Filipino fans that like me
• At the Mayweather camp: Not in our house
• IN PHOTOS: MGM Grand a week before Pacquiao-Mayweather bout
April 22
Another celebrity makes a stand on the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight. Apl.d.ap, a rapper and one fourth of the group Black Eyed Peas, sides with his fellow Filipino not only figuratively but literally, as he is spotted training alongside the Philippines’ Pambansang Kamao early morning at Pan Pacific Park. Pacquiao also gets a visit from two fans with cerebral palsy, both of whom waited for about seven hours outside Wild Card Gym to see the boxer.
RELATED STORIES:
• Black Eyed Peas singer says it’s all over for Mayweather in 10 rounds
• Pacquiao makes day of fans with cerebral palsy
April 21
Pacquiao continues his rigorous training for the upcoming match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2. The “Pacmom,” Mommy Dionesia, and boyfriend Michael Yamson are seen leaving Wild Card Gym while Filipino boxer Gerry Peñalosa has a shirt autographed by the eight-division world boxing champion.
RELATED STORIES:
• ‘Mommy D’ not nervous ahead of Pacquiao- Mayweather fight
• ‘Mommy D’ makes heads turn as she arrives at Wild Card
April 19 to 20
Sunday was spent with the Pacquiaos at their favorite Japanese restaurant, while Monday was extra special for the Filipino boxer: He awarded the winners of his weight-loss challenge up to $10,000 each.
RELATED STORIES:
• Pacquiao doles out $12,000 each for 2 biggest losers
April 18
Pacquiao finished an 8-kilometer run on the side of Mount Lee and the Santa Monica mountain range in less than a minute – an amazing time that led to the cancellation of the rest of his training for the day. While he trained, fans continued to show their unwavering support for the Philippines’ Pambansang Kamao.
RELATED STORIES:
• Pacquiao in near-perfect shape–Fernandez
• Pacquiao breezes through morning run
April 17
The INQUIRER team in the US details in-depth a typical day in the Pacquiao household.
RELATED STORY:
• (No typical) Day in the stateside life of Pacquiao
April 15 and 16
Mayweather and Pacquiao open their training camps to media on April 15 and 16, respectively, in what would be their last open sessions before total lockdown.
RELATED STORIES:
- Mayweather arrives late, holds media day before locking down camp
- Mayweather wears Philippine-inspired shirt during media workout
- Pacquiao holds media day workout
- Upbeat Pacquiao excites media
April 14
Pacquiao continues his intense training regimen at Griffith Park in Los Angeles.
RELATED STORY:
• Fight plan shaping up; Pacquiao plans early assault
April 12 to 13
The INQUIRER team in the US accompanies Pacquiao during his regular training at Griffith Park and an event for his weight-loss contest. They also spend their Sunday, April 12, with Pacquiao and his family at his mansion in Los Angeles.
RELATED STORIES:
• Pacquiao indulges in lechon during ‘Temptation Night’
• Pacquiao continues rigorous training for Mayweather
April 10 to 11
Even with less than a month before the Fight of the Century on May 2 (May 3 in Manila), Pacquiao makes sure to balance his work and personal lives. He starts his day training at Griffith Park, and ends the day with his family, usually in the arms of his youngest, baby Israel.
RELATED STORY:
• Filipino boxing scribes give the lowdown on Pacquiao-Mayweather
