Possibly 1,500 fans waited a few hours to be allowed into a roped off area with numerous security guards to view the seven - time world champion and pound for pound No. 1 fighter in the world from The Philippines work up a sweat.
The emotion wasn't waisted as the champ played to the adoring crowd throughout his workout as he genuinely appreciated its support.
Pacquiao Security Chief Rob Peters was very pleased to see the big crowd as a continuation of the support Pacquiao gets at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, CA.
"I called up to Manny's room and told him the crowd was big and boisterous, but he was still amazed as he entered the ballroom today and he was pleased with the crowd at the airport last night," said Peters.
After stretching in the ring Pacquiao, 50-3 (38 KO's), amazed the crowd with his awesome hand speed and technique while shadow boxing in the ring.
Later Pacquiao did mitt work per the instructions of his long-time trainer Freddie Roach and wowed the captivated audience with sizzling, precision - combinations of punches into Roach's gloves.
Pacquiao finished his sparring while still at the Wild Card Gym. He looks sensational and ready for anything opponent Joshua Clottey, 35-3 (21 KO's), may have to offer.
Pacquiao is so much faster than Clottey that the Ghanaian better have a secret weapon because just being naturally bigger and heavier the night of the fight isn't going to keep the former welterweight champion competitive very long in front of a pro Pacquiao crowd that may approach 50,000 fans.
Pacquiao is clearly the best fighter in the world today and just now reaching his physical prime that I believe enormously popular Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may come calling again to come back to Cowboys Stadium and his southern hospitality.
Controversy: One possible controversy did come up about the Saturday night fight. Will Texas force Pacquiao to shave his beard and mustache before he enters the ring?
One official, not wanting his name attached to this possible situation, said "No."
"This came up one other time that I know of," he said. "When Oscar De La Hoya fought Frenchman Patrick Charpentier in front of 46,000 in 1996 at the El Paso Sun Bowl.
"Charpentier had a thick beard, but we didn't ask him to shave it. Manny's face is fine by Texas standards I do believe."
While ticket sales are brisk, approaching 40,000, I asked Jones if he's thinking about opening additional sections for the overflow crowd.
"It's only Tuesday," said Jones. "It's too early to make that decision right now."
More Jones: I had a few minutes with Jones as Pacquiao was finishing his workout and a Jones assistant was trying to pull him from the ballroom to another engagement.
Jones looks like a billionaire. He sported one of his three Super Bowl Championship rings and was dressed immaculately. He fielded both boxing questions and football questions at the same time with his casual grace and a brilliant sense of humor. Jones is excited about "The Event" and I believe looks forward to bringing more mega fights to his Cowboys Stadium. He speaks with confidence; he makes eye contact with everybody in the room at least once; and periodically he would lean in to see if you were writing about what he was talking about or writing at all. Jones is certainly enjoying his life.
Source: Matt Stolow | Examiner.com
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