HOLLYWOOD, CA (Labor Day, 2005) – * Manny Cannes Do it. Pacquiao, who has captured the WBC’s flyweight title, the IBF’s jr. featherweight title and The Ring magazine featherweight title so far in his storied career, is adding a new title to his résumé…Matinee Idol! Between his last fight against Erik Morales and winning his promotional freedom from Murad Muhammad in court, Manny found time to star in a motion picture.. Manny’s new flick, “Lisensyadong Kamao,” will have its Hollywood premiere, Wednesday, September 7 (the same day it is to be released in The Philippines), at the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, courtesy of Violett Films, which produced it. Manny stretches his acting chops, playing the leading man, “Bruce Lerio,” a boxer who comes to Manila in search of the proverbial greener pasture. The buzz on Manny’s performance is strong and rumors are flying that the movie will be a featured entry at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. “Monsieur Pacquiao possesses the same crossover appeal in France as Jerry Lewis, Charlie Chaplin and Mike Katz, ‘The Châteauneuf-du-Pape of Boxing Writers,’ and author of Days of Whine and Rosés,” stated an official close to the source. Sacré Bleu! Can Oscar (the award, not De La Hoya, who is on maternity leave) be far behind?….
* Manny Marching to a Different Tune. Not only is Manny a star of ring, screen, and courtroom, soon you will be hearing him on the background vocal of a single by the Black Eyed Peas! apl.de. ap, a countryman of Manny’s and a member of the famous hip-hop group, has composed a song especially for Manny entitled “The Champion.” The rough cut will be played for Manny’s ring entrance when he faces Hector Valazquez, Saturday, September 10 at Staples Center in Los Angeles for the WBC International super featherweight title. But the group is waiting for Manny to lay down his background vocal before releasing the song…
* Manny Goes Garbo. Manny completed nearly 100 rounds of sparring for this camp. More unusual, it was without an audience. Trainer Freddie Roach insisted the gym be closed for all workouts…a Pacquiao first! Taking a page from Greta Garbo, famous for saying “I vant to be alone,” when it came to training in front of friends and fans for Saturday’s fight, quoth the Roach, “nevermore.” It worked. Both Manny and Freddie have stated repeatedly that Manny’s focus has never been better. “It’s been all business in the workouts and fans will see those results Saturday night,” said Roach…
* WrestleMannyiacs. Professional wrestling superstars The Undertaker and Christian — BIG fans of Manny Pacquiao — will be on hand to support him Saturday night at Staples Center. They are hopeful to also be with Manny at Friday’s Official Weigh-In, outside Staples Center at Star Plaza. The fighters will be reporting at 3 P.M. PT with the main event weigh-in beginning at 4 P.M. PT. The weigh-in will be open to the public…
* Manny Gets Tired. Manny’s new promoter, Gary Shaw, spent some time at the Wild Card Boxing Club, watching Manny train. Manny has one conditioning exercise that requires him to bounce up-and-down on a full-size tire. Upon seeing the tire, Shaw asked, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, “Is that the car your previous promoter promised you? And no hubcap either!”…
* Remaining Tickets are priced at $300, $200, $100, $50 and $25. The box office number is (213) 742-7340…
* HBO To Televise Live at 9:45 P.M. ET / 6:45 P.M. PT: ERIK MORALES, 48-2 (34 KOs), Mexico vs. ZAHIR RAHEEM, 26-1 (16 KOs), Philadelphia, PA -12 rounds for the WBC International lightweight championship; MANNY PACQUIAO, 39-3-2 (30 KOs), The Philippines, vs. HECTOR VELAZQUEZ, 42-10-2 (31 KOs), Mexico – 12 rounds for the WBC International super featherweight championship…
* Undercard Highlight: WBC light flyweight champion ERIC ORTIZ, 24-4-1 (16 KOs), defends his title in a 12-rounder against No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger BRIAN VILORIA, 17-0 (11 KOs), Honolulu, Hawaii…
* Doors Open at 4:00 P.M. PT / First Bout at 4:30 P.M. PT