LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant walked into the Wild Card gym, took a ringside seat and watched closely as Manny Pacquiao did his thing.
The NBA superstar, with a lot of extra time following the NBA lockout, hardly spoke as he sat in between friends, and took phone calls a couple of times.
But he looked serious as he faced the ring, watching Pacquiao spar seven rounds with three different boxers, and pound the mitts with coach Freddie Roach.
He spoke briefly with the five-time Trainer of the Year, and had some pictures taken with Pacquiao, whom he’d met perhaps a handful times in the past.
Kobe, in a deep purple shirt, gray sweat pants and cross-trainers, stayed for about an hour. He left as quietly as possible, as Pacquiao and Roach wrapped up the training.
The basketball superstar must have left in a hurry and did not talk to the media.
Roach said it was the first time he met Kobe.
“He was nice. He came in and we talked a little bit. He seemed to be a very nice guy and very polite. I enjoyed meeting him. He’s a nice guy,” said Roach.
It wasn’t actually a surprise visit because prior to that Roach said they got a call from Kobe’s people, and hours before the visit someone had to check on the place.
“They actually called and security came to check the place out. But there’s no danger here. It was the first time he came here,” said Roach.
Kobe’s visit came a couple of days after Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg dropped by to watch Pacquiao train, according to the hottest trainer in the sport today.
“Mark was here the last time,” said Roach, who dropped a couple more names of famous persons who’ve come to watch Pacquiao train for the coming fight.
Other stars who have dropped by for a visit include Mickey Rourke, Robert Duval, Jeremy Piven, Michael Pitt, Don Rickles, Christian Bale, Ron Artest and Jessica Alba.
Roach sounded like he’s gotten used to it.
“Yeah,” he said.