It was also the first visit of the Filipino champion to the tri-state area, truly an honor to witness him. For those present, the joy of welcoming Manny in their midst will forever be with them for the rest of their lives.
From a fan's perspective, I try to recall the events as they unfolded.
The previous day, the inclement weather prompted the organizers at New York to have the option to move to an enclosed venue should the rains persist. Upon waking up at around 6:00 am the following day, the rain showers stopped but it was still cloudy. But alas! At around 9:30 am, the sun gradually began to appear and my wife Rita and I had wide smiles on our faces as we got ourselves ready. We drove to the nearby Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ to catch the short ferry ride on the way to the Statue of Liberty National Monument.
Small groups started to arrive at 10:00 am and they converged around the presscon location – a big open tent – assembled several meters behind Lady Liberty’s statue. As we waited, multitudes of fellow Filipinos kept arriving, some of whom would cheerfully greet “Kumusta?” and you knew instantly that this would be a mini-reunion of Pinoys who came to see the Pambansang Kamao (National Fist) at all cost.
Some came from the Bronx and Queens boroughs in NY and others as far as Cape May in southern New Jersey. For those who were supposed to go to work, calling in “sick” was the best excuse. “Alam ko kasing magkakasakit ako ngayong araw eh, haha! (I already anticipated I was going to feel ill today, haha!)," blurted one guy. Just for the chance to see the legendary Manny Pacquiao.
Fans shivered with either excitement or fear -- or both -- as they anticipated Manny’s arrival. Who would not be? No hypes or accolades in gargantuan proportions in the modern day era have ever been afforded a Filipino boxer like the “Pacman”. Although economic recession in the US was already manifesting at that time, sheer curiosity for this fight remained and boxing pundits were thrilled no end.
While still waiting, I was amused at how some fans were sharing jokes and sharing their opinions on such topics such as the “can’t pull the trigger” comments by Freddie Roach, the signed gloves by the Golden Boy camp going to Team Pacquaio, a wonderful cake from New York ordered by Team Pacquaio going to the Big Bear camp in return, nagging questions like “If this fight ends in a split decision or by a disputed call by the referee, will there be a rematch?” as well as “Shall Pacquiao adopt some strategies employed by the great lefty Pernell Whitaker in this fight?” just simply add up to the significant ingredients to a great day.
Finally just before noon, the ferry carrying the Top Rank and Golden Boy contingents, led by the charismatic boxers, eventually docked. Fans snapped camera shots on their idols as the two stars disembarked and walked their way in front of the statue for promotional shoots. A few minutes later, off they go to the presscon venue a few steps away.
Shrieks, claps and people shouting Manny’s name could be heard as the parties walked. It was obvious that the crowd was into Pacquiao, the underdog of the match-up. Some tourists were curious enough to see the goings-on and were surprised that they were at the right place at the right time. Pacquiao and De la Hoya in the flesh!
Most fans in the crowd were aware of the predictions by boxing scholars and “experts” of a mismatch in Golden Boy’s favor primarily citing the significant size difference.
That Manny had a small body frame and so “Oscar will stop him in the 7th round and whoop Pacquiao’s a**," as a Chicano fan who was standing nearby was overheard. Never to be outdone, one Pinoy intentionally asked his friend (within the hearing distance of the Chicano guy), “I think it wouldn’t happen because Oscar will be knocked out in the 6th!”, and Pinoys would collectively burst into laughter. It was all for fun and a healthy fan rivalry but in the end, Pinoys would even shake the hand of the Golden Boy fan. Lesson learned: Filipino fans would never falter nor waver in their belief that their fighter Pacquiao is among the best in the fistic world.
Eventually, as the throng of fans positioned themselves near the stage, the announcer grabbed the microphone and proclaimed the arrival of the Filipino fighter. Again, the fans were delighted to see him, all pumped up to shout his name and seek his attention. Manny walked to the right side of the stage with adviser Mike Koncz, lawyer Jeng Gacal, promoter Bob Arum and the amiable trainer Freddie Roach. Deputy trainer and bosom buddy Buboy Fernandez and Philboxing’s Dr. Allan Recto were seated at the front rows. Of course, the ever-friendly Buboy was a hit among the Filipino fans, later approaching them in-between speeches for small talks and exchanging jokes to perk them up. He told them he had celebrated his birthday at their hotel the day before, and they gamely albeit belatedly sang “Happy Birthday” to him.
Then Oscar De La Hoya was introduced. The Golden Boy walked to the left side with his entourage led by Golden Boy Promotions’ Richard Schaefer and the Mexican trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain.
After an acknowledgment of people involved in the promotion as well as short speeches by trainers Roach and Beristain, the moment to present the fighters at the podium finally came.
Top Rank honcho Bob Arum stood up and introduced the most exciting boxer in the planet. It was Manny’s turn and the collective chants of “Man-ny! Man-ny! Man-ny!” could be heard all over the venue. Some were even speaking in Visayan dialect, catching Manny’s curiosity, and Filipinos had a grand time boosting the morale of their champion.
Manny spoke how several boxing experts and fans criticized both him and Oscar – him for “accepting the fight for money” and Oscar for “picking a smaller man named Manny Pacquiao” as opponent. “On December 6, I will prove these critics wrong,” he said.
Even if you just came to observe and promised yourself to “behave” throughout the presscon, in the end you will find yourself shouting and cheering for your own fighter. Manny is grinning ear to ear and waves to the fans who were mostly a few feet away on the left from his vantage point. Manny’s star was indeed getting brighter!
Thereafter, Schaefer spoke and briefly introduced Oscar De La Hoya. The Golden Boy underscored during his speech as to how immigrants embrace their pursuit to come to the US to search for their American Dream, and he was proud that he was one of those blessed to successfully accomplish it -- his 1992 Olympic gold medal as proof.
Filipino boxing fans admired the gentlemanly approach of the Golden Boy during the entire presscon, especially when a few Filipinos booed and jeered him on certain occasions. But it’s all part of the game. In all his years in boxing, he was already accustomed to it, mastered the way he delivers his melodramatic speeches before crowds and used that approach to endear him to more fans. [Author’s note: The Golden Boy, now retired, has now shifted to full-time promoter gear and understandably (and logically) hypes any boxer going against Manny Pacquiao, especially if he promotes that opponent.]
After the presscon, Manny obliges to some autograph-signing and fans were again establishing positions to get near the “Pacman”. Fans were delirious at this juncture as some people snapped pictures beside him or while even he was signing different items. He signed this author's two gloves and was also lucky enough to have it signed by the Golden Boy (side-by-side with Pacman’s!). Sports caps, boxing gloves (8, 10 and even 14 ounces), shirts (some fans still wearing them on), back of store receipts, pictures, name it and the fans had it. One lady even approached him with a $10 bill on hand and had it signed.
At the end of the autograph session and Manny waving for the last time before leaving (Oscar and his group were already back at the ferry waiting for him), we saw someone from afar throw a glove at him (probably frustrated he doesn’t have any memorabilia yet), hitting the Filipino ring phenom instantly on the chest. But as kind and humble as he usually is, Manny picks it up, signs it and throws it back to the crowd. What a guy!
Around 2:25 pm, the presscon ended. Fans started to leave and equipments were promptly packed up.
A memorable day for all who attended would be an understatement. As the fans and media were all excited to arrive hours earlier, they were even more excited to leave – cognizant of the fact that they would narrate to their family and friends that they were a part of it all.
Currently regarded as the # 1pound-for-pound boxer in the world, Manny Pacquiao has indeed come a long way.
What a difference a year makes!
XXX
FEW IMPORTANT NOTES:
A few weeks after the presscon, the 24/7 De La Hoya-Pacquiao HBO series was shown including some video clips of the New York (Statue of Liberty) media joust, giving boxing fans across America a glimpse on Pacman and the Golden Boy as they prepared for their 6 December 2008 box-off.
A brainchild of executive producers Ross Greenberg and Rick Bernstein, the Emmy Award-winning HBO 24/7 episodes fundamentally focused on each fighter’s training and preparation for the bout. This was the very same concept by HBO in crafting the De La Hoya-Pacquiao series, a match-up already considered in the record books as having the second-largest gate in boxing history.
There is no doubt that the 24/7 show has introduced Manny Pacquiao to the U.S. audience and in other countries --- granting access to people from all walks of life regardless of economic and social strata, to get to know the Filipino up close and secure “name-recognition” in the sport. He is the first Asian fighter ever in an HBO 24/7 feature which afforded him the opportunity to break through the American TV mainstream.
For the record, the May 2, 2009 bout with Ricky Hatton also had separate 24/7 series and his upcoming November 14 fight versus Miguel Angel Cotto of Puerto Rico will feature all-new 24/7 episodes.
It will be Pacquiao’s third 24/7 series appearance overall.
