There are few athletes in the world with a larger following and global appeal than Manny Pacquiao. The affable Filipino is a greater than 8:1 favorite for his championship fight against Shane Mosley Saturday evening in Las Vegas, and for good reason. Pac Man hasn’t lost since 2005 and he has reeled off 13 straight wins since falling to Erik Morales. His ability to beat the best fighters regardless of weight class has generated a massive appeal amongst fight fans, many of whom showed up for the weigh-in. According to reports, over 6,000 fans were on-hand to see Pacquiao and Mosley tip the toledos for the fight.
Even though Pacquiao packed the house for the weigh-in, there was something extremely odd; unlike most bouts where the opposing fighters dislike each other, both Shane and Manny were smiling for the crowd and media. It certainly was a strange sight to behold, but it’s somewhat consistent with Manny’s personality. Though the ferocious Filipino wants to tear you apart in the ring, he’s a gentleman outside of it, and that’s a big reason why he’s so beloved.
Now if you’re wondering why Mosley was all smiles at the weigh-in, the answer is simple. He’s 39 years old and set to make over $10 million for the fight. He’s counting his darn lucky stars for the fight, not to mention his millions. Getting into the ring with Manny Pacquiao is a guaranteed payday for aspiring opponents. Why do you think so many fighters are eager to cash in on the Manny Pacquiao lottery?
For a video of the Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley weigh-in, see below:
For more pictures, check out Boxing Scene
