SECURITY TIGHTENED AROUND PACQUIAO
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 03 Dec 2008
LAS VEGAS--For Wild Card Gym chief security officer Rob Peters, the next few days at the Mandalay Bay will be very crucial and critical.
This as the number of people trying to wiggle their way into Pacquiao is expected to swell as the fight nears, hoping for that chance for a photo op, to shake hands, or in some cases, ask money from the multi-millionaire boxer who grew up in poverty.
"I'm just here to do my job," said the wide-bodied, 6'3 Peters, who is the man in charge in making sure Pacquiao gets enough rest from visitors all wanting a piece of him.
Those expected to give Peters a difficult time who will troop to Pacquiao's suite include politicians both retired and those seeking financial help for their candidacies and tickets for the fight, actors and actresses asking for tickets and hotel accomodations, hangers-on wanting a piece of the action and potential business, as well as the various groups lobbying for their causes to be endorsed by the Pacman.
"Madugo and labanan dyan. Lahat ng klaseng tao makikita mo dyan," (The power struggle is tremendous. You see all kinds of people) said a source who requested anonymity.
In his Philboxing.com column last week, Pacquiao also requested his friends, relatives and fans to accord him the peace he needs most to concentrate on the fight.
"Kaya naman po, nananawagan lang ako ng kaunti sa aking mga kaibigan, tagahanga, at maging ang iba kong miyembro ng pamilya na sana, pagbigyan ninyo ako ng kaunti at mapagkalooban ninyo ako ng kaunting katahimikan upang makapag-concentrate ako ng lubos sa laban na ito, lalung-lalo na sa darating na huling linggo ng training," Pacquiao pleaded.
Top photo: Pacquiao chief security Rob Peters poses behind a sign posted at Pacquiao's Mandalay Bay suite. Photo by Salven Lagumbay.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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