Beckham roots for Pacman, helps Yolanda victims

MACAU – Football icon David Beckham vowed to be at ringside on Sunday rooting for Manny Pacquiao.

Beckham, who is here in the world's gambling capital to grace the announcement of the Asian partnership with the Las Vegas Sands, is a self-confessed Pacquiao fan.

“I’m a huge fan of Manny (Pacquiao). I met him a few years ago in the Philippines when I was there in a tour with the LA Galaxy,” Beckham said.

The 38-year old former England captain even gave his jersey to Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee during the LA Galaxy-Philippine Azkals exhibition match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila two years ago.

Beckham, who retired from football in the middle of this year, is hoping for a Pacquiao victory to uplift the spirits of Filipino people devastated by super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

“I know how much this fight means to him this weekend especially with everything that has happened to the Philippines the last couple of weeks,” said Beckham, who had played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, A.C. Milan and Paris Saint-Germain in a colorful 20-year career.

“I know that even for a small moment, it will put a lot of smile on the faces of the Philippine (Filipino) people.”

Beckham and his wife Victoria, a former member of the all-female group Spice Girls, have extended their help to the Philippines by lending their celebrity status in the special section created on the British’ Red Cross website to raise funds.

In addition, the Beckham couple have donated some of their designer wardrobes, which will go on sale at the British Red Cross shop in Keningston and Chelsea, in a separate relief effort for the super typhoon victims. 

(Editor’s note: This special coverage of the Pacquiao-Rios fight here in Macau is made possible by Cebu Pacific Air, why every Juan flies.)