PACQUIAO AT THE HISTORIC FILIPINO TOWN (WITH PHOTOS)
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 15 Jun 2008
Historic Filipino Town, Los Angeles:- As I have said time and again, the gurus at Bob Arum?s Top Rank Promotions surely know their stuff. They can advance fans interest of an already popular fight to a level higher than most people can imagine.
Case in point: The Diaz-Pacquiao world lightweight title fight on June 28th at the Events Center of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. From all indications, the fight will be a sell-out. The Filipino and Mexican loyal fight fans will assure that.
With the sell-out almost assured, high gas prices not withstanding, it is prudent to focus on the other part of the crowd, the people that buy in to the HBO PPV. The promotions must work hand in hand with HBO to attract these people.
There in comes the so called ?public work out?.
Top Rank took Diaz and Pacquiao all over to show case their wares. Before Pacquiao came to town, Diaz was already being paraded around by Top Rank. When Pacquiao arrived, both he and Diaz traveled to areas that are potential sources of fans who, if not travelling to Vegas, will surely buy in to the HBO PPV.
Last Wednesday, Top Rank took Pacquiao to San Diego not only to meet the press but to meet hundreds of employees of the Cox Communication. In the meantime, Diaz was home to throw the first ball at a Chicago Sox baseball game. That, is what I call ?exposure?.
Today, at noon Pacquiao was brought to the Lake Street Park right smack in the middle of Historic Filipino Town. He was supposed to have a work-out on the ring Top Rank set up in the middle of the Park. But Pacquiao just completed 12 rounds of sparring earlier at the Wildcard Gym, so he elected just to meet the press and his fans.
Exposing Pacquiao to the place where more than 10,000 Filipinos live and work is nothing short of genius. Even people who generally were not fights fans came to see Pacquiao. Many brought their whole family. Some came due to pure curiosity and a multitude did because they are Pacquiao ?fan-atics?. Others came because the place was simply accessible and it was a nice day to be at the park and see the fellow referred to as the ?Pacman?.
Needless to say, seeing Pacquiao in the flesh pique their interests on the fight on June 28th.
Read: More PPV.
Today?s event was a smashing success. People from all walks of life, Latinos and Filipinos, young and old came to see the Pacman . Even the media was well represented, particularly, those from the Filipino print media.
Pacquiao of course did not disappoint them. He met the press and signed hundreds of autographs and posed for pictures.
All in all, it was a good day at the Lake Street Park on the Historic Filipino Town. Thanks to the gurus of the Top Rank Promotions.
Photos:
The huge crowd gathers a the Historic Filipino Town for the Pacman.
A Filipino family proudly holds on a Pacquiao sign.
Pacquiao (C) being interviewed by MaxBoxing's Steve Kim (R). At left is Lee Samuels of Top Rank.
Pacquiao signing autographs.
A long line of autograph seekers.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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