LAS VEGAS—Team Pacquiao motored to this glitzy entertainment mecca on Monday, with Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee checking in at their suite at THEhotel of Mandalay Bay past 10 p.m.
Pacquiao’s Lincoln Navigator and a customized bus emblazoned with the image of the eight-division world champion led the large 32-vehicle contingent from Hollywood.
The arrival of Pacquiao here for his 10th fight at MGM Grand and 23rd in the United States, instantly spiked the betting odds in his favor.
From minus-300, Pacquiao is back to minus-370, while Marquez fell from plus-200 to plus-280.
This means that a $370 bet on a Pacquiao win would net $100, while a $100 bet on a Marquez win would earn $280.
Tired and famished after the five-hour, 420-kilometer trip across the Mojave Desert, members of the entourage were treated to a dinner of sweet-and-sour fish, beef steak Tagalog, chopsuey, fried bangus and pancit.
Pacquiao mingled with fans and well-wishers before his security detail, including Fil-Am members of the Los Angeles Police Department, politely told them to give him the chance to rest.
Though Pacquiao has completed the final phase of his training in Hollywood, chief trainer Freddie Roach wants to ensure there would be no disruptions.
Having made the 147-pound weight limit, Pacquiao is done with sparring but not gym work and running as he prepares for the official weigh-in on Friday.
Already in this city—which was visited by more than 38 million tourists last year (4 million visited the Philippines in the same period)—is Marquez, who flew in from Los Angeles with trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain.