Pacquiao arrives in Las Vegas sans banter and hoopla
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 26 Jun 2008
LAS VEGAS ? Since the formal arrival ceremonies are still scheduled on June 24, Team Pacquiao arrived here at around 8:30 in the evening June 23 without any hoopla and grandiosity commonly seen in the parade and arrival of stars in big occasions.
The 14-vehicle convoy left at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California at about 3:30 in the afternoon after the final press conference to announce the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight duel between champion David Diaz and challenger Manny Pacquiao.
Upon his arrival at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, Pacquiao and his wife Jinky were escorted by fight agent Michael Koncz and several members of Team Pacquiao. The entourage proceeded inside Room 60904, one of the most expensive suites in the 43 stories, 1,117 bedroom suites hotel adjacent to the towering Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
A dinner for the entourage was held inside the room. At around past 10 in the evening Pacquiao?s assistant Rob Peters requested the small crowd to disperse and proceed to their assigned rooms to give privacy to the boxing icon who wore a Boston Celtics cap all the way from California to Nevada.
Official arrival ceremonies will be held at the main hotel entrance to Mandalay Bay?11 a.m. for Diaz and 11:30 a.m. for Pacquiao who is expected to be accompanied by Top Rank big boss Bob Arum.
Pacquiao refused to talk about the fight during the dinner but made some remarks and observation on why the Los Angeles Lakers was clobbered by Boston Celtics in the recent NBA finals.
Those who arrived together with Pacquiao were Texas-based physician Allan Recto, promoter and confidante Rex (Wakee) Salud, patron and wedding godfather Rey Gollingan, promoter Johnny Elorde, among other prominent figures in the Team Pacquiao.
Coach Freddie Roach arrived few hours later. At 11 pm. Pacquiao?s room was off limit to particulars.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipinos De Barbo, Ognayon, Cha and Torres in Action in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 21 Jun 2025‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS 2’: DAVID STEVENS DEFEATS PETR KHAMUKOV BY 10-ROUND UNANIMOUS DECISION
Sat, 21 Jun 2025Era and Nantapech Ready to Clash for WBF Asia in Thailand; Filipinos in the Undercard
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 21 Jun 2025Team USA Youth High Performance Steamrolls into Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Semis
Sat, 21 Jun 2025Weigh-In Results: Vito Mielnicki Jr. vs. Kamil Gardzielik
Sat, 21 Jun 2025‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS 2’ 6 P.M PST/9 P.M. EST TONIGHT, LIVE ON DAZN, FEATURING STEVENS VS. KHAMUKOV
Sat, 21 Jun 2025YAFAI VS. RODRIGUEZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Fri, 20 Jun 2025Thursday’s Action Featured Stellar Showings at the 2025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival
Fri, 20 Jun 2025Finals Go All the Way to Game 7 as Indiana Bludgeons Oklahoma in Game 6, 108-91
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 20 Jun 2025Araneta Loses on Points in Odd Judging Setup; Still no Japanese World Welterweight Champion
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 20 Jun 2025Espinas, Cao Make Weight, Ready for WBC Asia Battle Saturday in China
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 20 Jun 2025ASAPHIL Taps World-Class Coach to Lead RP Blu Girls to Greater Heights
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 20 Jun 2025YAFAI VS. RODRIGUEZ + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 20 Jun 2025Press Conference Notes: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Set for Homecoming Versus Kamil Gardzielik
Fri, 20 Jun 2025DUARTE VS. SIMS JR. TICKETS GO ON SALE TOMORROW, FRIDAY, JUNE 20TH
Fri, 20 Jun 2025