Volumes of news articles and features have been written about the most anticipated and most lucrative match in boxing history between Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao and Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. on May 2 (May 3 in Manila).
As both training camps enter the home stretch in Las Vegas, INQUIRER.net has compiled a list of the seven best stories that gives an insight into the hard work that Mayweather and Pacquiao has put into for their megabuck bout.
This is the #InquirerSeven list of best stories written about Pacquiao’s and Mayweather’s training camps in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
1. Running with Pacquiao: Excuse his dust, swallow your pride
Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (in blue) jogs at the Griffith Park in Hollywood, California on Friday morning (US time) as part of his training for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. With an elevation gain of more than 300 meters, only a few elite members of Team Pacquiao, including Pacman the dog can keep up with him. Rem Zamora/INQUIRER. See more photos at FRAME
Jun Engracia, Philippine Daily Inquirer’s news editor, a veteran sportswriter and a triathlete at 62, tries to keep up with Manny Pacquiao during the Filipino boxing champion’s morning runs across Los Angeles. The story put into perspective Pacquiao’s excellent conditioning for his fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Read the full story here.
2. At Wild Card, there’s always someone waiting for Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao signs his autograph to posters before leaving the Wild Card gym on Thursday afternoon, 23 April 2015. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA. See more photos at FRAME
Francis Ochoa, Philippine Daily Inquirer’s assistant sports editor, talks about the daily scene outside of the the Wild Card Gym where Manny Pacquiao trains. Fans of the 8-division boxing champion wait in anticipation outside of the gym to get a glimpse, or if they are lucky, an autograph or a selfie with their idol.
Read the full story here.
3. (No typical) Day in the stateside life of Pacquiao
NO CONTEST At playtime in the Pacquiao Los Angeles home, the legendary champ is no match for his youngest child Israel after another day of his intensive training at Wild Card gym. REM ZAMORA. See more photos at FRAME
Engracia provides an up-close and personal look into the Pacquiao family in their home in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Coming back from training camp at the Wild Card Gym, the champion puts down his gloves and resumes his duties as king of the mansion that Queen Elizabeth, Princess, and Israel, (three of his five children) happily call home.
Read the full story here.
4. Recalling Pacquiao’s Vagabond days
Construction site where the fleabag Vagabond Inn used to stand. Visible on the left is the firewall which protected the Wild Card gym from the fire last year. Jun Engracia/INQUIRER. See more photos at FRAME
This story takes you back to the time when Manny Pacquiao was still far removed from the glitz and glamor of Los Angeles and only stayed at the flea-ridden Vagabond Inn beside Wild Card Gym.
Read full story here.
5. Killer instinct back, Pacquiao brings his best to Vegas
Pacquiao wraps up training at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles as he heads to Las Vegas with 5 days left before the megabout against Floyd Mayweather Jr. See more photos at FRAME
Ochoa sees first-hand Manny Pacquiao’s last days of training in Wild Card Gym, Los Angeles and is given a glimpse of what the 8-division champion’s strategy is against the defensive Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Read full story here.
6. Inside the Mayweather Boxing Club
A Ms. Pacman arcade located at the entrace of the Mayweather Boxing Club. See more photos at FRAME
INQUIRER.net’s sports reporter Mark Giongco was able to get inside the tightly-guarded training gym of Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas. See photos and videos from inside and outside of the gym as the champion trains for the May 2 megabuck fight with Manny Pacquiao.
Read the full story here.
7. Pacquiao-Mayweather tickets sell in 1 minute flat
A screen shows an advertisement for a fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao as people wait to check in at the MGM Grand on Friday in Las Vegas. The fight is scheduled to take place May 2 at the hotel and casino. AP. See more photos at FRAME
A testament to the biggest, most anticipated boxing match of the century is how fast tickets were sold out. It took less than a minute for the people to buy all the available tickets, possibly the fastest in history.
Read full story here.
For more updates on Pacquiao-Mayweather “Fight of the Century,” visit INQUIRER.net’s The Pacquiao Files.