Behind the scenes of Pacquiao-Clottey, part 1 (photos and videos)

          b o x i n g

   Grapevine, Texas - Behind the scenes and uncut in Dallas, Texas.

A great quote from Corinthians:

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

The journey is the reward, not the destination.  Pacquiao vs Clottey the fight, was a brief non-scuffle.  The process of fight week, however, was a great experience.

PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes [ 1 - 20 ]

FIGHT PHOTOS [ 1 - 20 ]

FIGHT PHOTOS [ 21 - 40 ]

   The recently concluded fight week of Manny Pacquiao vs Joshua Clottey was full of buzz.  Boxers, fans, and members of the media from around the country, and from around the globe, swarmed Dallas and Arlington, Texas.

   The Gaylord Texan Hotel was the magnet that served as nexus of the boxing universe, at least for a week.  And both the gargantuan media center as well as the Texas Station bar and restaurant served as temporary hubs.

  PHOTOS: Gerry Penalosa as photographer (Dumon)

Thursday  >

   Thursday night, several members of Team Pacquiao had the pool table for several hours in the bar across the Texas Station.  Didn't anyone else (non-boxing fans) want to play?

   Philippine boxers Gerry Penalosa and Bobby Pacquiao hit up the cues to shoot several games of pool.  Manny Pacquiao's brother had a modest amount of dinner salad as the "the other" Pacquiao looked in great shape.  His stamina?  One hour of non-stop, fast-paced running.

  PHOTOS: Miguel Cotto at ringside in Arlington (AP)

Held a brief interview with Bobby about his and Manny's early childhood years.  Interesting.  Saw briefly the popular Buboy Fernandez, but he looked around only to leave.

   Interestingly, Joshua Clottey's lead trainer Lenny De Jesus sat in an adjacent table within audible distance of Team Pacquiao.  Right next to the pool table.

   No one from Team Pac seemed to know who De Jesus was.  He was the lead enemy!

The time was approaching midnight.  After finally walking over to greet De Jesus, he was generous enough to share some of his thoughts while he was still a member of Team Pacquiao as well as his time during the Philippines.  However, De Jesus immediately left after he was identified.  Was this a case of strategic snooping?  It did not appear that any members of Team Pacquiao discussed fight strategies, at least while I was there.  But De Jesus clearly understood that he was inside Pacquiao's beehive (the red, white, and yellow jackets gave up the smoke signals).  Snooping is fair play.  He earned his paycheck.  I wonder if Team Pac did that night.

  PHOTOS: Pacquiao gets a one-sided win (AP)

   Sure enough, referee Kenny Bayless and boxing historian Bert Sugar strolled in for a few drinks.  Sugar's fight prediction:  Pacquiao by unanimous decision.  When I tried to suggest that a late stoppage might be possible for Pacquiao, Sugar stuck to his guns.  Great call Bert.

PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes [ 1 - 20 ]

FIGHT PHOTOS [ 1 - 20 ]

FIGHT PHOTOS [ 21 - 40 ]

Friday  >

Friday.  Interviewed former Philippine Governor 'Chavit' Singson, who believes that Senator Manny Villar will be the next President of the Philippines.  Villar sure has the dough.  Undercard fights at one of the Gaylord ballrooms.  Boxing scribe Thomas Hauser mingled a bit with a few folks.  Jose Luis Castillo sat in the back.  Away from the crowds.  Good call.

Behind the Scenes: Clottey before his weigh-in

   Omar Henry from Houston utterly demolished a scared opponent from Mexico.  Poor guy got knocked down twice in a mere 33 seconds.  Henry is a beast.  Actor Robert Duvall gets introduced to the crowd.  Fans seek autographs and photos non-stop from future hall of famer Marco Antonio Barrera.  This went on the entire night. 

   Barrera ended up ignoring people - as politely as he could - as well as ignoring the fights, by texting continuously on his cellphone.  Folks, the guy is also a person.  Leave him alone, and give him his space!

Behind the Scenes: Barrera preparing for live TV

   Had some drinks with Philboxing writer Granville Ampong.  Nice conversation, great ambience.  Saw Examiner.com colleague Michael Marley, the White Gorilla, at the Texas Station bar.

Members of the Philippine press, Chino Trinidad, Quinito Henson, Dyan Castillejo, Ronnie Nathanielsz were visible in various areas of the large hotel complex.

   Had dinner next to lightweight champion Humberto Soto's table.  Marco Antonio Barrera across the table having a late dinner with a large gathering.  His beer preference?  A bottle of Miller Lite.  Seriously?  Miller Lite?  No Dos Equis Marco?  No Corona?  Michelob Ultra.  Now that's a class beer.

Barrera is getting pudgy.  Have we seen the last of Barrera?  Former WBO welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto a few tables away with friends and family.  The introverted Cotto clearly did not want his photo taken with fans, preferring to have privacy that night.  He finally motioned for me to come over, and I snapped a single, lone shot (out of respect).

Behind the Scenes: Roach signs autographs

Shared some rounds with Team Pacquiao security personnel Rob Peters.  Interestingly, Mr. Peters has a background in energy clean technology - an area in which I have worked in - along with a business degree from Boston University.  Well-informed man.

   Said hello to an inner circle member of Team Pacquiao.  First impression?  An utter gashole.  The man made a great effort to not be likeable - to everyone.  Interesting.  Turns out, there is dirty laundry involved.  Very interesting.  And disheartening.

Behind the Scenes: Actor Robert Duvall meets Barrera

Saturday  >

   Secured press credentials from Top Rank.  It appears several members of the media were hammered from Friday night's drinking sessions.  Too funny.  And I am guilty as charged.

   Attended Pacquiao's pre-fight mass.  Several hundred attended.  Marco Antonio Barrera got an autograph on a jacket from his former foe.  Even in a mass setting, the media is relentless, particularly the Philippine media.  The American media let this one go.  It is afterall a MASS.  You're not going to see ESPN or CNN right outside of Pacquiao's bathroom stall - continuously stalking.  Thank goodness.

   Proposed law for TMZ and TMZ-wannabes: Celebrity Stalking.  A Class B Misdemeanor.  A Class A Misdemeanor for a second offense.  That'll take care of it.

Behind the Scenes: Roach and actor Duvall walk to the weigh-in

Many thanks to Chino Trinidad for keeping me company for lunch.  Bright, high energy man.  Rested back in my hotel room for the long night ahead.  Pacquiao vs Clottey.  "The Event."  It should have been renamed "The Large Event."

   Fight night has arrived.  Cowboys Stadium is a massive ball of light in the Dallas skies.  A large crowd of over 50,000 makes its way into the large stadium.  Parking nightmare.

I finally get lost and end up parking in the wrong parking lot - and away from the media parking lot.  Sat next to Examiner's Michael Marley.  Great quasi-ringside seats.  Comfortable seats.  Huge, huge stadium setting.  Something straight out of "The Matrix."

Great, wonderful, chilly night.  Would have even been better if HBO's / Top Rank's supplied wireless internet access worked.  It did not work the entire night.  Media blackout.  Critical tool for the press guys.  Get this right next time!

   Many athletes and celebs in attendance.  Let's get ready to ruummbblee!!

International Sports Examiner

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