All you need is love

LAS VEGAS — The big show in this entertainment capital is "Love," a Cirque du Soleil production set to the Beatles music, at the Mirage Hotel and Casino. It opened to rave reviews with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison’s widow Olivia and John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono in attendance last August.

Concept creator Guy Laliberte pursued what he calls "an artistic adventure" with the Beatles survivors in honor of his close friend Harrison. He mobilized a cast of 62 Cirque du Soleil acrobats, dancers, contortionists, trampoline artists and actors from 17 countries to capture the spirit and passion of the Beatles greatest hits in a two-hour extravaganza.

The Mirage Hotel and Casino built a theater featuring 360 degree seating, panoramic video and surround sound for the show which runs five days a week at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $69, $99, $125 and $150.

"Love" is nothing short of amazing. The costumes are dazzling, the sets are incredible, the dance sequences are phenomenal and the Beatles music is as exciting as it was when the world was introduced to the Fab Four some 40 years ago.

The night after Manny Pacquiao pulverized Erik Morales at the Thomas and Mack Center here, the fighter was at The Mirage to enjoy "Love." Pacquiao, his wife Jinkee, manager Shelly Finkel, Jayke Joson, Eric and Macy Pineda, Winchell Campos, Joe and Joanna Ramos and composer Lito Camo took in the 10:30 p.m. performance.

It was love all around for Pacquiao, who sings and plays the guitar. Throughout his stay here, Pacquiao had been showered by love and affection by his adoring Filipino fans. And he didn’t let them down by proving his mastery over the Mexican. The show was a fitting cap to Pacquiao’s visit here as it ended in a rousing finale to the tune of "All You Need Is Love."

After lunch last Monday, Pacquiao and his entourage motored back to Los Angeles. A plan to visit the Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Portland, was scuttled because Pacquiao is eager to return home and see, for the first time, his baby girl Mary Divine Grace who was born last Oct. 1 — when he was in strict training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. Pacquiao is also excited to see his two sons, Jimuel and Michael Stephen.

Pacquiao has been away for over two months and can’t wait to come home.

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Top Rank’s Bob Arum said the attendance for last Saturday’s fight was 18,276 — the second largest crowd ever for a boxing event at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas basketball stadium.

In Pacquiao’s win over Morales, he unloaded 175 punches and connected on 94 for a 54 percent clip compared to the Mexican’s 44 of 171 for 26 percent. Morales landed more jabs, 14 to 11, but Pacquiao registered 83 power shots to the loser’s 30.

In the fateful third round, Pacquiao landed 51 of 71 power punches or an accuracy level of 72 percent. There was no way Morales could survive that kind of an onslaught. Referee Vic Drakulich signaled the end at 2:57 of the third.

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The day before last Friday’s weigh-in was a test of survival for Pacquiao. Pacquiao ate only the white of an egg and drank water the whole day. That’s the sacrifice he had to undergo to make sure he wouldn’t stray over the superfeatherweight limit.

In the morning, he watched a Jet Li movie on TV. A movie he watched the previous day was "The Incredible Hulk." Then, he attended a press conference and did a light workout in the gym, mainly skipping rope. At 6 p.m., he ate the egg and about an hour later, he was fast asleep.

"You couldn’t talk to him," said an insider. "Anyone who isn’t able to eat for a day would be in a bad mood."

After the weigh-in, Pacquiao feasted on beef kebab, chicken lule (ground and marinated), slices of pears, beef soup and rice. He ate on a makeshift table in the corridor of the Cox Pavilion beside the Thomas and Mack Centre.

San Pedro, Laguna, native Archie Banes who lives in Torrance, California, bought the ingredients from a Mediterranean store and prepared the food with one of Pacquiao’s trainers Nonoy Neri.

Hardly anyone could speak to Pacquiao as he ate. His wife Jinkee stood behind him. But one by one, well-wishers began to drop by. Gov. Chavit Singson and Rep. Vincent Crisologo were escorted inside the heavily-secured area to greet Pacquiao.

Singson said although Morales looked good at the weigh-in, the Mexican won’t look good after the fight. Both Morales and Pacquiao tipped the scales at 129 pounds.

"Morales knows how it feels to be knocked out by Manny so I expect him to be intimidated," said Singson. "Once he feels that power again, you can be sure he won’t be as confident anymore. Manny will knock him out for sure."

Singson called it right on the button.