Celebrities expected in ‘The Grand Finale’

A glittering gallery of celebrities is expected to fill the $500 top-priced seats for the rubber match between Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 18.

Manny Pacquiao Promotions vice president for marketing Eric Pineda said yesterday stars from show business, politics and sports are gobbling up tickets to witness "The Grand Finale" because it’s touted to be the fight of the decade.

Several of Pacquiao’s co-endorsers from Nike will likely be at ringside and golfer Tiger Woods was named as a probable. A Nike delegation from Manila will fly to Las Vegas for the fight.

"Rocky" legend Sylvester Stallone and his brother Frank, who works out at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, are Pacquiao fans and won’t miss the action. Oscar de la Hoya, who recently signed Pacquiao to a seven-fight promotional contract, will be in the stadium. So will Sugar Ray Leonard and World Boxing Council superfeatherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera whom Pacquiao will take on in a much-awaited rematch sometime next year.

"There’s no more exciting fighter in the world today than Manny," said Pineda. "The heavyweight division has lost its appeal. Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones are fading away. When it comes to action fights, fans know they can count on Manny to give them what they want — lots of fireworks."

Pineda said Pacquiao’s win over Morales last January cemented his reputation as the country’s top male commercial endorser today. Pacquiao pulls in at least P100 million a year from non-boxing contracts and his endorsement deals are for a minimum period of 15 months in seven figures.

Pineda disclosed that a month before Pacquiao left for the US to report for training at the Wild Card Gym, he began serious gym work in General Santos City. That’s why, added Pineda, Pacquiao was ready to spar as soon as he checked in for work with Freddie Roach. It’s also the reason why Pacquiao has no difficulty making the 130-pound weight limit for the fight.

Pineda said Pacquiao was so immersed in training that he only agreed to be filmed for an Alaxan commercial without interrupting his gym regimen.

"Alaxan brought a crew to General Santos and for about two hours, they filmed Manny as he trained with Buboy (Fernandez) coordinating the sequences," said Pineda. "It turned out to be one of the best commercials Manny has ever done because of the reality factor. You could see Manny punishing himself in training — the expression in his face, the sweat. When he’s not in training, Manny makes time to shoot commercials from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m."

Pineda said after Pacquiao beat Morales last January, his world turned upside down.

"When Manny lost the first fight to Morales, it was difficult to get endorsement contracts for him," said Pineda. "But when he won the rematch, everybody wanted to join the bandwagon. The day after the victory, I was swamped with text messages from people I didn’t even know, offering contracts. That’s the same situation Manny faces now. When he wins the third fight, it’ll be sky’s the limit."

Pineda said Pacquiao’s marketability is guaranteed even five years after he retires and that’s not soon.

"Manny has good public relations," said Pineda. "His popularity won’t wane even when he retires from boxing. All his wealth hasn’t changed him. He’s still a simple guy who likes to play basketball and billiards, go to cockfights, sing and spend time with his family. He’s the first one to get angry when his security people keep the fans away from him."

Pineda said Pacquiao plans a big party when he turns 28 on Dec. 17. By then, his seven-bedroom mansion will be finished. It’s now about 80 percent complete and the cost is already up to P35 Million. The General Santos City house is where Pacquiao will receive well-wishers on his birthday. It will also mark the house blessing, the baptismal party of his newly-born daughter Mary Divine Grace and the celebration for beating Morales.