Pacman's security chief bats for GK

LAS VEGAS – Not too many fans know that WBO welterweight champion and the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao’s American security chief Rob Peters has a strong advocacy for social issues.

When Pacquiao beat Sugar Shane Mosley on points to retain his title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here Saturday night, the 50-year-old Peters moved around the venue wearing a Gawad Kalinga yellow T-shirt under his Team Pacquiao green jacket. It’s his job to secure Pacquiao wherever he goes in the US.

“I’m a big supporter of Gawad Kalinga,” said Peters who has watched Pacquiao’s back for six years. “That’s why I was so thrilled when Manny decided to come out in public to back Gawad Kalinga.”

While most of Pacquiao’s close-in staff wore the yellow Nike “heart” design shirts on fight night, Peters proudly showed off his Gawad Kalinga shirt.

“I’ve known Freddie (Roach) for over 18 years,” said Peters who took up law studies and earned a business degree at Boston University. “My regular job is working with special children. I have two children and both are autistic. It’s a paying job. I write briefs for law offices and do consulting. It’s a part of my life very few people know about.”

Pacquiao fans know Peters as the gruff gate-keeper of the Wild Card Gym. He’s the man in the frontline keeping order in the facility when Pacquiao is training. Peters has orders to restrict the entry of people unless Pacquiao has an “open” workout. Built like a rock, Peters comes across as a bodyguard. But he’s more than that. He also provides a social dimension for Team Pacquiao.  

“My father went to Harvard and was heart-broken when I enrolled at BU,” said Peters. “But I made him happy when I took up some classes at Harvard as an undergraduate. Eventually, I finished at BU.”

From his close association with Pacquiao, Peters has become a boxing expert, too.

“I thought the fight against Mosley was a stinker because Mosley didn’t come to fight,” said Peters. “That knockdown scored by Manny in the third round changed the complexion of the fight. Mosley just wanted to survive after that. I couldn’t understand why Manny just followed Mosley around the ring instead of cutting him off. I thought maybe it was Manny’s strategy to invite Mosley to engage because he stood right in front of him and didn’t show too much lateral movement. I’ve always known Manny to move side to side to create angles for his punches. I learned later that Manny’s left calf tightened up starting the fourth round and that’s why Manny couldn’t move laterally to cut off the ring.”

Peters welcomed Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez as Pacquiao’s next challenger. Marquez held Pacquiao to a split draw in 2004 and lost a split decision in a rematch in 2008. He claimed he was robbed of a win in both fights and now wants a third meeting. Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said a catchweight of 144 pounds may be set for a Marquez fight on Nov. 12 with the WBO 147-pound title at stake.

“One thing about Marquez, he’ll fight Manny and won’t back off,” said Peters. “He won’t do a Mosley. He’ll come to fight and that’s what Manny wants, that’s what the fans want. As for Floyd Mayweather, Manny’s just waiting for him to sign up. Manny’s ready for Mayweather but that’s if Mayweather wants to fight. I’m not sure if Mayweather wants to risk losing to Manny.”

In the dressing room after the Mosley fight, Peters held a pair of yellow Cleto Reyes boxing gloves for safekeeping. Pacquiao wore yellow Cleto Reyes gloves to symbolize unity in the bout.

Peters said the second set of yellow gloves he held was ordered by Pacquiao to give to President Noynoy Aquino when he returns to Manila this week.