Celebrities and athletes are expected to swarm the MGM Grand Arena on November 14 to watch the fight of the year. "Firepower" between Manny Pacquiao and welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is anticipated to have the biggest gathering of celebrities and athletes for 2009 in a non-awards ceremony event (i.e., ESPYS or MTV Movie Awards) or major sports championship game (i.e. Super Bowl).
CLICK: Hollywood Stars Expected to Attend
With barely a week to go, the outsized hype appears justified. Two proud island nations are represented on the world stage: Puerto Rico and the Philippines. A victory for Pacquiao could set up the biggest fight in sports since Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier in the "Thrilla in Manila" in 1975. Bob Arum alluded that such a bout could be arranged, among other venues, at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas, which opened in 2009 (at a cost of nearly $1.2 billion). Such a venue would seat close to 110,000. A win for Cotto could set up a big welterweight fight at New York's Yankee Stadium in the summer of 2010. In an interview, former U.S. presidential candidate and current Arizona Senator John McCain has stated that he would like to see Floyd Mayweather, Jr. fight Manny Pacquiao. McCain was an amateur boxer during his days as a cadet and student at the U.S. Naval Academy. He mentioned that he won roughly half his fights and had a "rugged" boxing style.
CLICK: Sports Athletes Expected to Attend
The buzz for the fight comes a week after pound-for-pound king is being featured on the cover (Asia edition) of TIME Magazine (Related Article: "A man of our times: Pacquiao on TIME Magazine"). Pacquiao recently won the Gusi Peace Prize in the Philippines, considered the regional version of the Nobel Peace Prize - the first athlete to receive it. During the May 2nd fight with then-lineal junior welterwight champion Ricky Hatton, former MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) rebels watched the fight alongside with Philippine soldiers in the jungles of the southern island of Mindanao. The same is likely to occur during November 14.
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was the last fighter featured (1988) on the cover of TIME. Prior to that, ring icon Muhammad Ali was featured in 1978. The late Philippine President Corazon Aquino was also prominently displayed on the cover in the mid-1980s after the "People Power" revolution that topped then-dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
CLICK: Hollywood Stars Expected to Attend
It was a busy week for the Filipino. On Tuesday evening, Pacquiao appeared on the popular late night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! (See: "7 Questions for Manny from ABC's Jimmy Kimmel"), with former Playboy playmate Pamela Anderson as the other main guest. His last fight against British Ricky Hatton had several stars on attendance. Among them included Tom Jones, rappers Jay-Z and P Diddy, comedian Cedric the Entertainer, actors Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Jack Nicholson, and Jeremy Pivens. Numerous star athletes were on ringside.
Many more are expected for the last "mega-fight" of the decade of the 2000s. Promoters are expecting pay-per-views to exceed one million (in the U.S.) despite a deep global economic recession, and the event should provide a temporary escape for casual fans. (This week, the U.S. Labor Department estimated unemployment figures at 10.2%, higher than economists' prediction of 9.9%.)
CLICK: Sports Athletes Expected to Attend
Puerto Rican and Philippine VIPs, celebrities and politicians are also expected to attend. Over 20 members of the Philippine Congress may be in attendance on November 14. (See: "Pacquiao Fight Delaying Proposed Changes To Constitution") Manny Pacquiao, a political aspirant in the Philippines, visited with former U.S. President Bill Clinton days before the Hatton fight. His network in Hollywood and with mainstream athletes are growing. In the past year, he has met with athletes Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant, Gilbert Arenas; actors Mark Wahlberg, Mickey Rourke, Mario Lopez, and Christian Bale among numerous famous personalities.
Familiar faces, and more, will be at ringside next Saturday at the MGM Grand Arena, including welterweight champion Shane Mosley and lightweight champion Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez. Both have a potential stake in the outcome of the bout. Will we see former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in attendance? Stay tuned . . .
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(1)(2)(1).jpg)
.jpg)
(1).jpg)
.jpg)
Comments
freddie made a big mistake not letting bon jovi and kiss see manny in training because manny is also a rockstar.. he has fists of rock that will send cotto to dreamland with his eyes wide open like a starstruck kid...then as the lights go out, cotto will be smiling and humming "sometimes when we touch"...hehehehe... it feels good to be a pacnuthugger..bwahahahahahahaha....
Another typical nuthugger, I bet of your 20-list, 5 will only appear and the rest are actors & politicians from the Philippines.
Of course in the polls, people are going to hope to see Pitt and Jolie, but if Pacquiao Fans are going to be voting for anyone on that celeb list, it really should be Jimmy Kimmel as he has done more for Pacquiao's popularity in mainstream media than all of those celebrities combined
plenty of sparks will fly on the night of the 14th. it will be war!!! both being warriors, they will fight in slambang fashion, and will see stars circling over their heads deep into the night.
those who don't believe it's ENVY that blinded them
Hey Rockstar, I agree with you.Why coach Fred didn't let Bon Jovi watched him trained? Bon Jovi is a great Rock band. I'm a big fan of them. Dang, what a wasted opportunity for coach! tsk!tsk!
Man.. you've forgot Denzel Washington. he's a pacquiao fan
Manny is one of the TRUE CHAMPION IN LIFE. According to TIME magazine his life is like "ZERO to HERO." What an amazing true to life story :)
Manny Pacquiao is a TRUE HERO AND A NATIONAL TREASURE. His demeanor is incomparable, a sportsman and a gentleman. His contributions to the people of the Philippines far outweigh his contributions to the boxing world. Mayweather is no closer to Manny Pacquiao for Manny is larger than life.
No doubt, Manny is so Popular now, way ahead of Floyd.
I agree with you tamodjong
Filipino community here in Horsham England will be watching our dear Hero that night in PPV. We wish you good luck Manny! Mabuhay ka! Mabuhay ang PILIPINAS!
u author forgot many names such as mariah carey and her husband, denzel washington! and more! hehe!
How could you have missed Denzel Washington and Mariah Carey.
when your face is on the front page of TIME Magazine, it ain't hype anymore brother!
Pacquiao made Philippines as number 1 in Asia when it comes of Asian popularity! All Asian countries will applaud you Manny Pacquiao!!!
The world stops spinning in the philippines when pacman fights. People unite and even rebels and military stops fighting just to watch pacman fight. There is absolutely zero crime rate. That's how popular he is in the Philippines now.
Pacman after he demolished Mexican boxing fighters in Mexico, he starts demolishing Puerto Rico fighters again, and next country, and next countries SO BE CAREFUL MAYBE YOUR COUNTRY WOULD BE THE NEXT ONE AFTER PUERTO RICO MY MAN! So while its too early, better advise your fighters in your country to train harder and harder, because Filipino invader is coming to your country!
Reggie Miller...formerly of Indiana Pacers. He is a fan of Pacquiao even before became huge, ditto with broadcaster Steve Hartman, Rob Fukuzaki. How about Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton I heard them mentioned manny's name.
Don't forget Bill Clinton.\
The least but not the least...Me.
I'm sure Floyd Mayweather will hold a press conference announcing his up and coming bout with Alvarez just before Firepower. And he'll not attend the fight for he and Eddie Murphy will watch a movie as alibi. lol
Pacman even invade Hollywood.. He will become more popular and more iconic than Michael Jackson!
THANKS GOD, WE HAVE MANNY, AT LEAST OUR COUNTRY IS NOW KNOWN NOT FROM CORRUPTION...
MIG1397SCORPIO says:
THANKS GOD, WE HAVE MANNY, AT LEAST OUR COUNTRY IS NOW KNOWN NOT FROM CORRUPTION...
*******************************************************************
As Manny is giving us good image by action and example, you are giving bad publicity to the country by your pronouncement.
Poor guy.
Pacquiao will rule the world man! believe me! He will become more iconic than the pope! Believe me!!
I'm sure mayweather clan should be there too... 'coz floyd Jr. simply a fans Idolizing manny...
Don't get me wrong...
forget maria cary and denzel washington ,cary is bad empression to the pinoys,she said gaya-gaya lang ang pinoy sa style ng kanta nila.
Manny will invade Hollywood my man! He will become more iconic than Michael Jackson for the Americans my man!
Manny is already victorious in all Asian countries my man! All boxing fighters in Asia already bowed down there knees to his greatness, now he starts invading the Americas, after the Americas, he's going back to Europe to finish his job after started from Hatton,, he will be given an executive seat in EU when the invation starts. Believe me my man!
even here in saudi arabia we are the fans af manny pacquiao!
Just count saudi arabia IN in november 14 we are at your side manny make a 7 weight division champion record history in boxing world show that filipino can do it.. GOOOOO!
do it manny make a first boxing world record!
We need more Filipino boxers to start coming out of the ranks. We can't rely on Manny to do it all!
Hopefully, Mayweather Jr and Oscar de la Hoya will be at ringside on Nov 14, also Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Lennox Lewis. They were my fav boxers during their time.
BTW, we're rooting for Pacman for a KO. Because of him we're buying the PPV HD (Rogers cable) in Toronto, Canada although we can watch the fight for free on satellite. GO MANNY GOoooooo!!!!
Don't disappoint us, please.
Nice article, only if you can confirm if these celebs and athletes already have tickets for the Nov 14. Because of that I was able to convince my daughter Marilyn (age 19) with her 2 Japanese friends to come and watch the fight on Nov 14 instead of them going out to a party. Yahooooo.....
mga pnoy from new zealand....we support pacman MABUHAY KA...
Coincidence or fate ? If you follow numerology, the date Nov. 14th can be read as seven (7).The lucky number that Manny is aspiring for for his 7th world title in seven different divisions.
mamen!where is denzel washington? he is a big pacman fanatic!
MANNY is more than a phenomenon as some say when they are in stress or not feeling right just thinking of pacquiao would motivate them making their day a nice one!oh yeah
The guy from the very top Picture is PROBABLY PACQUIAO'S BOYFRIEND.
Datu Marikudo will be there -ring side to witness this historical fight of his great-grandson.
To Datu Marikudo,
Puke ng ina mo. U need to pay ur debt to society u stupid idiot. If I ever see u again, I will bitch-slap u in public.
manny pacquiao made the philippine popularity in boxing in the whole world. Hope our leader will follow and make a new history in our country. Mga politiko gumawa rin kayo ng mabuting paraan para makilala kayo.
Datu Marikudo will be there-ringside to witness the Historical fight of his great grandson.
"THANKS GOD, WE HAVE MANNY, AT LEAST OUR COUNTRY IS NOW KNOWN NOT FROM CORRUPTION"... MID1397SCORPIO
I definitely agree with you and there is nothing to be ashamed of your pronouncement bringing out the truth will set the downfall of corrupt philippine politicians!!! GO MANNY YOU will be able to change our corrupt political landscape
dahil kay paquiao mas tumatag ang mga pinoy!!!!
to: manny pacquiao you're a true pinoy. your nationalism, dedication & humility says it all. sana maging katulad mo lahat ng filipino politicians, hindi penoy. GOD BLESS YOU.
If pacquiao cotto is this big than imagine Pacquiao/Mayweather
Manny will be the ultimate boxing sensation in the 21st century, it comes once in a lifetime. Let us Filipinos savors his triumph inside the ring against Miguel Cotto. Fight with honor, fight courageously under one flag and country. MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS! MABUHAY ANG LAHING KAYUMANGGI!
Manny now is a universal icon, he can match with Floyd Maywheather, I can't wait to see that bout.
pacman will win all sports award for 2009. he will beat tiger woods, roger federer, jenson button, usain bolt and ronaldo for the sportsman of the year in all sports award. he will be in the guiness book of world record. after retiring and demolishing mayweather in march, suggest to fight yuri foreman for his 8th title. that would be the day after beating foreman - the greastest boxer who ever lived.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!