Thursday, April 30, 2015 | 2 a.m.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum plunged into one of his customary rants earlier this week at a Manny Pacquiao press event.
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Fight of the Century
Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer discuss Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao.
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The tangential topic this time around was the Philippines. Arum recounted visits and expressed an affinity for the nation of islands in Southeast Asia before his current most popular fighter interrupted.
“I’ll make you a Filipino citizen,” Pacquiao cut in with a smile. “Remember, I’m a congressman so we will find a resolution.”
The room burst into laughter, but the suggestion wasn’t all that unrealistic. The 36-year-old Pacquiao wields that level of power in his native country, where he’s likely not only the most famous athlete but also the most popular citizen.
In the Philippines, Pacquiao is far more than a boxer. He’s the most prolific celebrity endorser, a platinum-selling recording artist, a sitcom star and a player-coach in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Oh, and a two-term member of the House of Representatives who many believe will one day ascend to the presidency. His wife, Jinkee Pacquiao, is the vice governor of a province.
The Philippines has declared a national holiday for Saturday night — actually Sunday morning its time — when Pacquiao faces Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the richest fight in boxing history. There’s even a cease-fire agreement between the government and separatist rebels.
In a half-century traveling around the world to promote fights, the 83-year-old Arum has never seen anyone compare to Pacquiao’s status at home.
“Manny is the icon of the Philippines,” he said.
Pacquiao has reminisced multiple times on his first fight in America this week, which was also at the MGM in 2001. He described everything as completely different since that night when he upset Lehlohonolo Ledwaba for the WBC super bantamweight title on two weeks’ notice.
But Pacquiao’s entrance before facing Ledwaba featured a member of his corner waving the Philippines’ flag right behind him. One of his biggest motivations for boxing has stayed the same.
“I want to give back to people in my country,” Pacquiao said.
Arum knows all too well. He’s helped Pacquiao in the past through financial hardships partially brought on by being overly generous with the millions he’s earned in the ring.
Nothing has changed except the stakes. Pacquiao is expected to make around $120 million including his pay-per-view cut Saturday night as well as additional income from endorsements, which include Nike, Foot Locker, Butterfinger and a “huge surprise” Arum promises to announce within the next couple days.
“Without question, I’m sure that half of the money Manny earns in this fight is going to charity,” Arum said. “That’s just how he is.”
“He believes it’s his obligation to help the people of his country.”
That’s because Pacquiao relates to the abject poverty endured by many of his compatriots. Pacquiao began living on the streets without as much as a blanket to sleep on starting as a 12-year-old, revealing this week that he fled home after his father ate his dog.
He scraped by just enough to eat and train in boxing before turning professional as a 17-year-old. Pacquiao fought 25 times in the first three years of his career, winning 24 of the bouts to win his first of eight titles in different weight classes.
“I came from nothing to something and it’s the most important thing to me to let people know and inspire them,” Pacquiao said.
As Pacquiao does before every fight, he’s spent the last couple months in Los Angeles preparing with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. But he’ll return to the Philippines shortly after taking on Mayweather.
Arum reported there were already plans for his arrival, assuming the fight goes the way they expect.
“I’m looking forward to being in the Philippines next week for the biggest victory parade ever in the history of the Philippines,” Arum said.
The final words Pacquiao will hear over the MGM Grand speakers before stepping into the ring Saturday come from a song he wrote and recorded. Pacquiao’s voice will boom through the arena for four minutes until the last line, “Lalaban ako para sa Filipino; lalaban ako para sa Bayan Ko.”
The English translation is, “I will fight for Filipino; I will fight for my people.”
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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