Pacman invites Van Damme to Texas brawl

MANILA, Philippines - This time it’s Jean Claude Van Damme dropping by just to get a glimpse of the Filipino icon.

Yes, the Wild Card Gym buzzed with unusual activity yesterday when the Belgian martial arts expert and Hollywood action star came in and joined Manny Pacquiao up in the ring as he was about to begin his daily workout.

Danny Trejo, another screen star who’s so good playing the role of a bad guy, was also there to catch Pacquiao in person.

Van Damme, according to Dr. Ed dela Vega, a Los Angeles-based orthodontist who provides the Filipino boxer with his customized mouthguards, was invited by Pacquiao to come to Texas and watch his March 13 fight.

The 50-year-old Hollywood superstar, who starred in big hits like Bloodsport, Universal Soldier and Timecop, just couldn’t say no, and should be one of the many stars to watch Pacquiao fight Ghana’s Joshua Clottey.

It’s now a common sight Hollywood stars calling on the reigning pound-for-pound champion, undeniably the greatest and most exciting boxer of his era, and not the other way around when Pacquiao was a fan in awe of these stars.

A week ago, Steven Seagal visited Pacquiao in his $2 million home in Larchmont, just a few blocks off Hollywood, and they talked about the possibility of making a movie together, whether in the US or back in the Philippines.

In his previous fights, Pacquiao has attracted some of the biggest celebrities, including Oscars winner Denzel Washington who came to see the Ricky Hatton fight, and got to the dressing room way ahead of Pacquiao after the quick fight.

Those who have previously visited Pacquiao in the gym are Lou Diamond Phillips and Mark Wahlberg. For the Miguel Cotto fight last November, it was Mickey Rourke, another great star and ex-boxer, who came to visit.

According to Pacquiao’s official autobiographer, Winchell Campos, a few other stars have come out and sent feelers on how to get a hold of Pacquiao, including American actor and comedian Eddie Murphy and talk show host Arsenio Hall.

Campos said Tobey Maguire, the Spiderman, once had a chance to rub elbows with Pacquiao on the poker table, as well as the lovely Jennifer Love Hewitt who admitted to being a “great fan” of the 31-year-old Filipino superstar.

Count heartthrob Mario Lopez, The Entourage mainstay Jeremy Piven, the great Yankee, Derek Jeter, Celtics stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, and Mike Tyson among the Pacquiao rooters.

And the list would just go on and on and on.