As part of the promo tour in the upcoming Pacquiao-Cotto match, Manny Pacquiao went to Puerto Rico last September 11, 2009 from a 4-hour flight from New Jersey. Upon arriving in the El San Juan Hotel, Puerto Rican fans in the hostile territory swarmed Manny for autographs and some posed for pictures beside. It took even for a while for Manny to get to the elevator as he was busy signing, posing for pictures and greeting the fans. Manny arrived with his lawyer, Canadian adviser, training assistant and two Manila-based writers. Miguel Cotto took an earlier flight in the same day but went straight to his hometown in Caguas. Before going to Puerto Rico, Manny visited New York Times reporters. He and Cotto also visited San Francisco and just recently, went in the Beverly Hills, L.A. press conference. In that event, Ron Artest — a Pacquiao fan and now the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers — took a visit and asked on stage for pictures. Manny even stood on top of a chair so he would not be the shortest guy in the photo to the delight of the press people.
It’s not the first time a player from the NBA went to visit Manny Pacquiao. In one of his previous fights, Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics visited Manny in the locker room. When Kobe Bryant visited the Philippines for the Nike Asia Tour, he said he is rooting for Manny and even said he would like to watch if his schedules allowed him. Robert Horry also said “He’s good, I’ve watched a couple of his fights. He is something special. I would love to see him spar and train, he’s such in great shape.” Horry went in Manila for a showdown between Kareem’s NBA Legends vs. the PBA Legends that took place last Sept. 11 (Friday).
One of the world’s hightest-paid athletes, Top Rank’s Bob Arum said that Manny Pacquiao has a guaranteed $13 millions against Cotto and could even go higher as much as $20 millions. The Pacquiao-Cotto match will take place in November 14 in Las Vegas, entitled “Firepower”. The promo tour kicked off last Sept. 10 (Thursday) in the Yankees Stadium.
See also:
Robert Horry on Manny Pacquiao
Freddie Roach Not Bothered In Training With Pacquiao Against Cotto
It’s Final: Manny Pacquiao Vs. Miguel Cotto
Pacquiao As ESPN’s Best Fighter Awardee
Kobe Bryant Visits The Philippines
Tags: cotto, firepower, kobe bryant, Manny, manny pacquiao, miguel cotto, Nba, Pacquiao, philippines, pound for pound king, robert horry, ron artest
