Weigh-in: Pacquiao fans do the talking

LAS VEGAS – They chanted Manny Pacquiao’s name from start to finish – from the time he got up the stage and tipped the scales to the time he left the building.

Pacquiao fans filled the MGM’s Grand Garden Arena with chants of “Manny! Manny!” Friday during the official weigh-in for Saturday’s big fight.

Each time Bradley’s name was mentioned and called, he drew jeers from the crowd.

Hardly anyone cheered for the 30-year-old American who must have felt like he was in a different country other than his own.

You can count his fans with your fingers.

But Bradley played with the crowd. He climbed the stage with his Beats headphones on. The moment he took them off the dominant Filipino crowd booed.

Bradley put his hands behind his ears as if he couldn’t hear anything. And as the chants got louder, the American asked for more.

It was easy to spot the underdog.

When Pacquiao tipped the scales at 145 pounds, the crowd went wild, and Pacquiao showed off his muscles then waved and blew kisses to his fans.

Pacquiao appeared to be in his best form the past couple of years.

Bradley came in at 145 ½ and flexed his muscles like a true bodybuilder. He had muscles like they were carved out of wood.

Then it was time for another staredown. The two boxers smiled at each other when probably deep inside they wanted to break each other’s nose.

Loud Pinoy rap music filled the air and was only turned down when the two boxers were interviewed on stage.

“He’s ready. He’s fierce. He’s ready. He’s determined,” said Bradley.

He must have seen it in Pacquiao’s eyes.

But then again, Bradley vowed to knock Pacquiao out. And the crowd booed.

Pacquiao chose his words well and few.

It was his fans who did the talking.          

– Abac Cordero