Pacquiao becomes big boxing draw

LAS VEGAS—Just how much of a draw has Manny Pacquiao become?

You can tell by the people who show up in his bouts—and in such prefight events as the weigh-in.

Pacquiao, who was once visited by key members of the Boston Celtics in his dugout, flushed out some of boxing’s most elusive celebrities and big-named countrymen during his weigh-in for the Shane Mosley bout.

Among the boxing luminaries present were all-time great Roberto Duran, former world champion and two-time Pacquiao victim Marco Antonio Barrera, former five-time champion Johnny Tapia and Floyd Mayweather Sr.

Juan Manuel Marquez, who’s slated to be Pacquiao’s next opponent on Nov. 12, was also present and later spoke with Pacquiao backstage.

Also present were Pacquiao’s radiant wife, Jinkee, and ardent supporters Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson and former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

From the Philippines’ showbiz circles, the Gutierrez show biz family (Eddie, Annabel, Richard) and couple Cesar and Sunshine Montano, who have been with the Pacquiao entourage since last week in Los Angeles.
But that’s not all.

In a move that is expected to draw hoots from activists back home, Team Pacquiao insiders said about 70 congressmen are already here to support their fellow representative (Sarangani) in what could be another big test—and display—of his ring prowess.