David Beckham visits Macao, shares Pacquiao's sentiments on Typhoon Haiyan victims
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 22 Nov 2013
Macao, China - In the midst of boxing's biggest stage here in this bustling Asian peninsula that is headlined by global superstar Manny Pacquiao, another sports icon made its way to Macao today.
Football superstar David Beckham, one of the most recognizable sportsman in the planet made an appearance during Fight Week to announce his partnership with resort developer, Las Vegas Sands, owner of The Venetian Macao, the venue of this weekend's fight. The two will partner in various charitable projects in the region.
"What I love about the project is that the first time I was here (Asia) was because of a charity event which as everybody knows, charity is a big part of my life and has been a big part of my career over the years," Beckham addressed the large group of media in one of the function rooms of the resort.
"What was extremely exciting about that was the fact that the guys (from the Las Vegas Sands) really have the same belief as what I have and what I have over the years. Obviously, it is a huge organization, huge business but they have the beliefs of what I have in the charity side. This is why I wanted to be part of this partnership going forward."
Beckham also touched on the sporting event that is on center stage this week in the region and on Pacquiao whom he met two years ago in the Philippines.
The superstar will be watching Pacquiao fight Brandon Rios this Sunday morning (Saturday night in North America) at The Cotai Arena, the massive sporting and entertainment venue inside the resort.
"That is obviously one of the reasons that I am here. What I am really excited about being here is that I am a huge fan of Manny. I met him a couple of years ago in the Philippines when I was there on a tour with the Galaxy and also there with Unicef and he really is truly an inspirational person," Beckham said of Pacquiao.
Beckham also knows the importance of this fight for Manny and the Philippines, in the light of Super storm Haiyan that devastated the country.
"I haven't spoken to him but I know how much this fight is going to mean to him this weekend because of everything that is happening in the Philippines. The eyes of the world had been on the Philippines in the last couple of weeks and I know how much this is going to mean to him," Beckham says.
"He is not just loved around the world of sports and around the world of boxing, but the way the people loved him and is inspired by him. This fight will mean so much to him because for a slight moment he is going to put a smile across people's faces in the Philippines," he added.
Beckham ended his speech by saying that "We all send our love and our hopes to the people in that part of the world."
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Photo: Global icon David Beckham put down his handprints for posterity during Friday?s press conference at The Venetian Macao.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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