BREAKING NEWS: PACQUIAO ARRIVES IN L.A. FOR THE DE LA HOYA FIGHT

By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Sep 2008


Top photo: Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao (R) and lawyer Franklin Gacal make their way out of the LAX tonight as Pacquiao arrives in the United States to promote and start camp for his mega fight with another boxing superstar Oscar de la Hoya.


Los Angeles, CA:- If the huge crowd that swarmed the Tom Bradley International Airport Terminal tonight is an indication of how many people will be seeing the Oscar de la Hoya-Manny Pacquiao fight on December 6th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, then selling the fight will be a no-brainer for the three promotions companies (Top Rank, Golden Boy and Manny Pacquiao Promotions) putting up the event. The Philippine Airlines Flight 102 from Manila touched down at the LAX at 8:10 pm and at 9:15 pm, Pacquiao and his trusted lawyer Franklin 'Jeng' Gacal walked up the hallway that led from the Immigation and Customs Section out to the city.

As soon as they reached the arrival lobby, all of a sudden people came from nowhere and swarmed around Pacquiao. Many were calling his name. They all struggled to touch him and/or have a photo taken.

Cameras of all shapes and form, cell phones included, started flashing. Even Top Rank photographer, Cris Farina was there to cover the event.

The LAX security people where caught unprepared for the sudden burst of people. But thanks to the Team Pacquiao led by Rob Peters, Edward Lura and Winchell Campos, Pacquiao was escorted rather quickly to his waiting SUV and driven away to rest for the night at his Palazzo apartment at the Wilshire District in this city.