Pacquiao VS. Mosley: Fight Night

Mabuhay!

More Pacquiao update from my friend, Lounell!

Thanks so much for all the Pacman updates! You're the best!

Pasok, Lounell!

Last night was "Fight Night" and as expected, Manny Pacquiao was victorious again! It actually turned into a one man show with Pacquiao clearly dominating the whole 12 rounds against Sugar Shane Mosley.

The Arena was completely sold out. Even up to the last minute, people outside were still hoping to score from scalpers. It was just crazy.

The fight, well, let's just say that it's not the most exciting fight that I've seen. It doesn't come close to the fights of Pacquiao against Hatton, Cotto, dela Hoya, and Margarito. It was not MP's fault. He did his job. Sugar Shane didn't.

Some of those in attendance were Paris Hilton, Holly Robinson, Peter Bergin, and former Heavyweight champion Lenox Lewis (who was behind us, very cool and nice guy!) The Pinoy VIPs: Mike Arroyo, Joe and Gina de Venecia, family of Bong Revilla, KC Montero, Raymond Gutierrez, and a lot more were there to support Manny.

After the fight, Manny went to the fight press conference at the MGM then did the usual media interviews after. And with much energy to boot, at around 2am, Manny joined his MP Band at the Mandalay Events Center for his after party concert.

Hope you like the photos!

Shoppingero/shoppingera, what do you think about the Pacquiao VS. Mosley fight?

Pacquiao VS. Mosley: The Pre-Fight Mass

Mabuhay!

Thank you Lounell for this wonderful Mother's Day gift!

Good luck to Manny Pacquiao! We're all praying for your safety and win!

Pasok, Lounell!

Hi Jen!

It's fight day today and as we are getting ready to go to the MGM Grand Garden Arena, I just have to do this quick post for you kasi baka masuntok mo ko! Haha!

The traditional pre-fight mass was held at the South Conference Hall of the Mandalay Bay at 10am this morning. I just want to make note that when I started watching his first few fights here in the States, he would hold the mass just inside his suite with friends and a few supporters. Now, they have to do it in a ballroom to accommodate more friends and supporters. Saksakan ng dami na talaga!

Anyway, here are photos of the pre-fight mass:

Manny and Jinkee arrive at the South Conference Hall of the Mandalay Bay

Jinkee looking, as you would say, "freshness"!

Friends and supporters pray for MP.

And now it's time to go watch Pacquiao vs Mosley!


Shoppingero/shoppingera, are your ready for the Pacquiao VS. Mosley fight?

Pacquiao VS. Mosley: The Weigh-In

Mabuhay!

Here's another update from our "insider", Lounell:

Hi Jen!

It's Friday here in Las Vegas and today is Weigh-in Day! People lined up for hours just so that they could catch a glimpse of the Manny Pacquiao.

The weigh-in was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena too where the fight is going to be held tomorrow.

The cordoned off area was packed to the rafters. We came in an hour before it started, and the only seats left were at the nosebleed section! The arena was full! They had to close off already the entrance and didn't let people in anymore. I guess they were not expecting that big of a crowd just to see guys tipping the scales! (Ako kaya tumimbang, may manood? LOL)

Sugar Shane Mosley was the first one on the scales and he weighed exactly 147 lbs. — the weight limit for this fight.

Manny Pacquiao weighed in at 145 lbs. Nothing to worry about, the Pacman is fit and solid as a rock!

It's on! Pacquaio VS. Mosley

After the weigh in, Manny ate backstage and then went back to his hotel suite. It was closed door for a few hours because MP wanted to relax. He did so by just chatting and joking around with people from the team and also watched the NBA game on cable (basketball is his other passion).

Foot massage muna... Haha!

So it looks like everything is all set for the fight tomorrow! Will keep you updated!


Thanks Lounell!


Shoppingero/shoppingera, are you excited for tomorrow's fight?

Pacquiao VS. Mosley

Mabuhay!

As some of you may know, my BFF Lounell (follow him on twitter.com/Lounell for more Pacman updates) has an "all-access pass" to Manny Pacquiao (read: close sila). One of the perks of being best friends is that he is forced to give me first dibs on any Pacman updates. Haha!

Thanks, Lounell!

Ladies, gentlemen, and gheys, tune in to my blog for more Pacquiao VS. Mosley fight!

Pasok, Lounell!

Hi Jen!

It's fight week once again and I am now here in the Sin City to witness yet another historic fight of the "People's Champ" Manny Pacquiao!

MP being interviewed by TV5

MP arrived here late Monday night with his whole team while I arrived Tuesday afternoon. I thought it was still going to be a bit tamed, but when i went up to his suite Tuesday night, I couldn't believe that so many people were there already waiting for Pacman to come out of his room! Usually it gets busy like Thursday or Friday, but I've noticed that it gets crazier every fight week now. It goes to show how popular our Filipino pride is right now!

MP at the dinner table at his suite with Me, Jake Joson, Liza and Johnny Elorde (the son of the great Flash Elorde) and singer composer Lito Camo

Obligatory shot. LOL

MP (and myself too) is billeted at the posh The Hotel at Mandalay Bay and is staying at his usual floor. They gave him an even bigger suite now, 3 bedrooms, 2 living room areas, a 12-seater dining area, a game room (with a pool table and a huge entertainment system), a massage room, a gym, and his own private elevator!

MP's living room

The suite's game room

Even with a big suite, the room can't accomodate the many friends of Manny who wants to see him. Like I've been there 2 nights in a row and it's ALWAYS full! In fact, just tonight, Mandalay Bay had to put already their own security team outside his room to control the influx of people.

MP is looking great and he looks like he's all ready for fight night! No problem with his weight, in fact, he even eats 2 dinners a day (one at 7pm and another at 9pm) and eats whatever he feels like.

The only problem of Manny right now....TICKETS! Yes, MP himself has a huge problem because there is a shortage of tickets since the Arena can only hold 18,000 seats (unlike Dallas Stadium with 70,000 seats). It's completely sold out! Thank God MP gave me my tickets already! lol!

That's it for now! Will update you again soon!

Mabuhay!


Shoppingero/shoppingera, where will you be watching the Pacquiao VS. Mosley fight?

The Mark of a True Champ

Mabuhay!

Friend: "Ano ba ang connection mo kay Manny Pacquaio at ang dami mong scoop about him? In fact, I read your blog and tweets to get updates about Pacman more than CNN!" *LOL*
Me: "I've met Manny Pacquiao a few times but I don't think he remembers me. He knows Tom as my husband shot Manny's iconic Nike ads."
Friend: "So what? Do you pay someone to get you info about Manny?"
Me: " Kaloka ka! I get first hand info about the champ because of Lounell Correa."
Friend: Aaaaah... OK... Who's Lounell?"
Me: *LOL* "Lounell is my best friend of fifteen years."

Lounell's late father Polding Correa was the one who discovered Manny Pacquiao. Pacman was one of the boxers that were sent to Lounell's dad to train. While training, Manny would also work part-time at the Correa's construction sites to earn extra cash. Then the rest is what they say was "history".

Lounell shared with me that Manny values loyalty and is always grateful for all of what the Correa family has done for him since he started out. That's why whenever Pacman has a fight, he would personally reserve seats for Lounell and his family. They are also invited to the Pacquiao's parties and intimate gatherings. In other words, close sila. Leveling!;D

So close that @CongMP (Manny's official Twitter account) follows my friend @Lounell! Hello, ka-level lang naman ni Lounell sina Pres. Barrack Obama, Shakira, Jeremy Piven, and the Boston Celtics — people that Manny follows on Twitter.

So ladies, gentlemen, and gheys, without further ado, I bring you Lounell, reporting on the latest on Manny Pacquiao!

Pasok, Lounell!


Hi Jen!

Just got back from Baguio where I visited my friend, Manny Pacquiao, who is training there for his coming fight against Sugar Shane Mosley on May 7.

And as you always say, sharing is caring….

MP being prepped up by strength conditioning coach Alex Ariza

As usual, Manny was surrounded by an entourage: his training crew, Team MP, hoards of fans, plus there were two camera crews filming Manny while training: CBS Project 360 TV Documentary Special group (the show will be shown for four consecutive weekends in April on US TV to hype up the Pacquiao-Mosley fight) and a documentary film crew led by Academy Award Winner Leon Gast (he shot the When We Were Kings documentary of the 1974 championship bout of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman).

I had the opportunity to watch and take pictures of Manny while in training.  Salamat, pare!

MP doing the mitts with coach Freddie Roach.

MP hitting the double end bag while joking around with the crew.

MP jumping rope to finish off his routine.

After training, he went up to the room to rest. After a few hours, he was all ready to hit the town!  His first stop: Starbucks in SM Baguio — it has become his usual night cap haunt this week.

MP checking out the goodies at Starbucks.
Being an international celebrity like Manny, one can assume that he would want special treatments wherever he goes, but not the champ. When we went in the coffee shop, he immediately lined up and waited for him to get served like everyone else. Very classy.

Here's the Champ ordering his favorite green tea latte...

...and even paid at the cashier himself.

We stayed in Starbucks for a while and had a good talk over his favorite drink (green tea latte!). He also showed me his Twitter page on his phone. Yes, @CongMP is Manny Pacquiao's official Twitter account. I know for a fact that he tries to read all his followers' tweets…so follow @CongMP!

Intense talaga si Manny in every aspect of his life, mapa-boxing, his family, fans, and Twitter! Nakatuwa s'ya!

Funny story, when I got back to my hotel, I was tinkering with my twitter account and accidentally blocked Manny! Like, who blocks a world champ?!? LOL

The day after in the gym, when he saw me again, he laughed and said in front of everyone "blinock mo naman ako eh!" Haha! Kwele talaga si Manny! Everything's good now, he's following me again. LOL

The second day of my visit, he did pretty much the same thing at the gym. 

After training at the gym, he rested for a bit then he went down and played ball with his OWN basketball team. Why not?

Manny's new hobby is playing basketball. He loves it so much, he put together his own team!

Point guard Pacman!

Can you guess where the champ went after the game? Yup, Starbucks again to cap the night. Haha!

There you go! I just want to say that my family and I are proud of Manny's achievements, but my dad (rest his soul) was more proud of Manny's down-to-earth attitude and his generosity to his family, friends, and those who are in need.

Mabuhay ka, Manny Pacquaio!

Lounell... Signing out.

Thank you, Lounell! Hindi na kita ma-reach! Haha!

Everyone, follow Manny Pacquiao on Twitter.com/CongMP ! And to get updates on Manny, follow my friend Lounell on Twitter.com/Lounell !



Shoppingero/shoppingera, what are the chances on Manny Pacquiao following me on Twitter? *wink, wink*