CEBU, Philippines - Star power and not just firepower abounded when Manny Pacquiao boxed his way to a historic finish to his match with Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico Sunday, as several international celebrities made sure they didn’t miss the action. Among the thousands of spectators at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, spotted were Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg, a longtime friend and fan of the Pacman, comedian Will Ferrel, rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, Oscar nominee and ex-boxer Mickey Rourke, Mario Lopez and sporting stars like Derek Jeter, and Magic Johnson.
According to the New York Times, assistants and handlers of athletes and celebrities were already asking for tickets three months earlier. Quoting Ross Greenburg, the president of HBO Sports, the last fight that merited this level of demand and anticipation from both celebs and ordinary sporting fans alike was when Lennox Lewis knocked out Mike Tyson in June 2002.
Meanwhile, the all-girl pop group “La Diva” sang the country’s national anthem. The group, which is composed of “Pinoy Pop Superstar” champions Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos, and Maricris Garcia, was personally handpicked by Pacquiao. After Martin Nievera made a very controversial rendition in Pacman’s last fight, the trio of voices provided a different experience for the spectators, and has yet to receive some flak.
Filipino-American and former “American Idol” finalist Ramiele Malubay, on the other hand, sang the United States’ “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Even with the star-studded attendance, it was Manny Pacquiao’s star that shone the brightest. A Time Magazine cover, frontpage treatment in the New York Times, features in Sports Illustrated had accompanied this latest outing of his in the ring. And rightfully so, after all, Manny Pacman had risen through several weight classes in boxing to win six different titles in as many divisions. At the end of last Sunday’s fight, Pacquiao nailed his historic seventh, earned anew the immense pride of fellow Filipinos, and gained the unprecedented respect of the international media, and boxing fans all over the world.