MANNY GETS THE LAST SONG!
By Jason Aniel
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 07 May 2009
Las Vegas, NV?Last Saturday night, the sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena was indeed a ?Hatton Wonderland?. The Ricky Hatton fans flooded the MGM Grand in song, dance, and costume. But at the end of the second round, it was Manny Pacquiao who knocked Ricky Hatton into a Wonderland. A counter left hook that landed on the chin sent Hatton crashing down in the center of the ring. It was the most picturesque, devastating, and scary knockout in the past 10 plus years. Referee Kenny Bayless did not even bother to count Hatton out. ?I could?ve counted to 20, it didn?t matter?, explained Bayless after the fight.
Observing the reaction of the crowd after the vicious knockout, both British and Filipinos were in awe. Long time boxing writers and A-list celebrities were jumping up in joy. The crowd inside the arena got a taste of the joy Manny Pacquiao brings to his countrymen. One observer who witnessed his first Pacquiao fights said to me, ?Is it always like this?? Yes, it?s always like this.
The post-fight press conference was not as long as the De La Hoya-Pacquiao press conference. There wasn?t really much to talk to about. The performance spoke for itself. Even when Pacquiao described the knockout punch as ?a punch I knew Ricky wouldn?t get up from?, it drew laughter because it was the biggest understatement of the night.
After the post-fight press conference, Pacquiao rode in a stretch hummer limo back to his suite at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. Manny was preparing for a concert at the Mandalay Beach nightclub. Pacquiao organized the after party himself and flew his band from the Philippines to perform. Not many boxers would schedule a concert right after a huge fight. Maybe Manny knew it was going to be a quick fight.
Two limos waited outside the hotel to escort Manny and his team to the Mandalay Beach Night Club for his grand arrival. The club was an outdoor venue with a stage elevated above a pool. There was word that those with a fight ticket would be allowed to enter for free. However, fans that wanted to go to the after party had to pay $20.
Pacquiao was situated at the VIP lounge at the top level on the beach. Only 150 people had access to the lounge, which provided food and drinks. The lounge was big and there was plenty of space for everyone. More importantly, fans did not over crowd Pacquiao, making it a much safer place to relax. Even his wife, Jinkee, finally had enough time to relax and enjoy her husband?s victory.
Manny hit the stage around midnight and sang all of his classic songs to the delight of his fans. He performed for over an hour and even took audience requests. Finally, he dedicated the last song of the night to the 30,000 people that flew from England to support Ricky Hatton. He sang the John Lennon classic ?Imagine?.
Pacquiao returned to the VIP lounge and spent the next few hours partying with friends and family and watching highlights of his ?show stopping? performance. It was satisfying seeing Manny watch as boxing expert Teddy Atlas, who picked Hatton to win, praised Pacquiao as the best in the world today.
Later that morning, Pacquiao attended the post fight mass at the Mandalay Bay events center. The events center was able to fit over 150 people without the concern of a fire hazard. Those who attended were Manny?s mother Dionesia, Rod Nazario, Freddie Roach, team Pacquiao members, and other friends and family. Mass had traditionally been held at Manny?s suite, which was always packed.
In Manny?s last two fights (against David Diaz and Oscar De La Hoya), he injured his right hand and was not able to sign any autographs. That wasn?t the case for this fight. Therefore, after mass, Pacquiao spent over 2 hours signing autographs and taking pictures.
After the autograph session, Manny went back to his room to watch a replay of the fight. Promoter Bob Arum made a rare appearance in Manny?s suite, when he brought a United States senator, who wanted to meet Manny. In all my years of watching boxing and being around Bob Arum, I have never seen him without dress shoes. The day after the fight, Arum wore the ultra limited edition Manny Pacquiao NIKE training shoes. Nothing was going to take the smile off Arum?s face. And expect a bigger smile once the U.S. PPV numbers come in.
So Manny Pacquiao is officially a rock star. A power punching southpaw, who knocks his opponents out and sings love songs and ballads afterwards. He?s on top of game physically and more important mentality. Pacquiao explains, ?Boxing is like any other profession. It takes hard word and it takes a long time to be good; just like a doctor or scientist.?
When people ask why is Pacquiao so good, the common response is his speed combined with power. Manny has had those gifts since he turned pro. Freddie Roach molded Pacquiao into a complete fighter. However, Pacquiao is the most experienced fighter today. He?s experienced being knocked down, knocked out, cut, hit low, lost a decision, not make weight, rematches, rubber matches, controversial decision, the underdog, the favorite, and every other possible situation a boxer has faced. Nothing is new to Manny and he brings all that knowledge into the ring. That?s what makes him so good. He has the experience and knowledge of a Bill Gates with the body and skills of a LeBron James. He?s on top of his game and at only 30 years old, boxing fans get to witness to a boxing machine for at least several more years.
BYE BYE RICKY HATTON!
I was a little bit jealous at the fact that Hatton?s fans were so good in their chants and songs all throughout fight week. They even made up a couple of chants during the weigh-in in honor of Oscar De La Hoya. And you have to admit, they are all pretty catchy tunes. The most catchy tune, in my opinion, was Ricky?s entrance song ?Hi Ho Ricky Hatton (Fatton)? by Joey Blower (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxeC4jBoTi4). So in honor of Manny, here?s the Pacman remix of Hi Ho Ricky Hatton?
Bye, Bye Ricky Hatton,
He ate humble pie (now baby)
He?s never seen a straight left
Quite as good as mine, Manny Pacquiao
Man-ny Pacquiao! Man-ny Pacquiao! Man-ny Pacquiao!
QUICK JABS
Like all great athletes, it?s the little things they use as a driving force to keep them motivated, even while they are already on top of their game. For Manny, it was the columns of Recah Trinidad, a long time critic of Pacquiao?Bernabe Concepcion fought on the undercard, but it wasn?t televised. Concepcion got some good work in over 6 rounds. He wasn?t spectacular because he was chasing his opponent, Yogli Herrera, the entire fight. Herrera, a club fighter, was well aware he was not going to win the fight and fought to survive. Concepcion is groomed to challenge WBO featherweight champion, Steven Lueveno?Bob Arum announced at the post fight press conference that they are working out the details to promote a card at ATT Park in San Francisco late August. The card would feature world champions Nonito Donaire and Brian Viloria in separate bouts. It would be nice to have Concepcion take on Lueveno on that card?Special thanks to Alex Oreto (originator of the ?Freedom against the English? campaign), Archie Banas, Edward Lura, Joseph Jose, Sonny Garcia, and Joe Ramos for making this fight weekend the best ever
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jason Aniel.
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